Hunchback of Notre Dame, The (1939)

Hunchback of Notre Dame, The (1939)

“I’m not a man and I’m not a beast. I’m as shapeless as a man on the moon!”

Synopsis:
In medieval Paris, a hunch-backed bell-ringer (Charles Laughton) at Notre Dame Cathedral provides sanctuary for a young gypsy woman (Maureen O’Hara) falsely accused of murder by an insanely jealous chief justice (Cedric Hardwicke) who lusts after her. Will Esmeralda (O’Hara) be saved by her new husband (Edmond O’Brien), the King of the Beggars (Thomas Mitchell), or Quasimodo (Laughton) himself?

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Charles Laughton Films
  • Disfigured Faces
  • Edmond O’Brien Films
  • Falsely Accused
  • Gypsies
  • Historical Drama
  • Maureen O’Hara Films
  • Misfits
  • Thomas Mitchell Films
  • William Dieterle Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary writes that this “visually impressive telling of Victor Hugo’s classic, set in 11th-century Paris”, features an “excellent cast” — including a young Edmond O’Brien “looking skinny”.

He notes that director William Dieterle handles “the crowd scenes (more than 3000 extras were employed) expertly” and instructed “cameraman Joseph H. August to use some interesting angles.” However, he argues that while “Laughton has received a great deal of praise for his performance”, he “doesn’t really get much opportunity to act” given that “what few lines he has are intended to make us (or Esmeralda, or the Parisians in the streets) feel sorry for him”.

Peary believes “the film surely would have worked better if Laughton’s hunchback didn’t let his physical appearance completely dominate his every thought and word, because he’ll get enough pity as it is just from his hideous looks (the make-up people must have used a deformed walrus as Quasimodo’s model”). He argues that “O’Hara, who is breathtakingly beautiful, comes across better.”

I’m less critical of Laughton’s performance and make-up than Peary, though I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of the storyline either in this adaptation or the earlier silent version with Lon Chaney, Sr. — Quasimodo’s personality and background ultimately seem under-developed (is he mentally challenged, and/or simply irreparably traumatized?), as does that of Hardwicke’s character:

… and the damsel-in-distress, Beauty-and-the-Beast narrative hook doesn’t do much for me. It’s once again the sets and crowds (along with atmospheric cinematography) that most impress in this film.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Charles Laughton as Quasimodo
  • Maureen O’Hara as Esmeralda
  • Van Nest Polglase’s sets
  • Joseph August’s cinematography
  • Perc Westmore’s make-up

Must See?
No, though it’s worth a look as an Oscar-nominated classic.

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One thought on “Hunchback of Notre Dame, The (1939)

  1. Agreed, overall; not really must-see – it’s the production design and Dieterle’s handling of the scope of the film (i.e., his massive cast) which impress most.

    I might be inclined to see it as a hesitant once-must for its place in cinema history because it holds enough interest. But, at the same time, during this viewing of the film, there were times I felt drawn in and other times that I didn’t feel that way. ~which is to say that I found certain scenes powerful but others less so. Perhaps I don’t find it consistently compelling.

    The comments given here about Laughton’s Quasimodo seem accurate. Generally speaking, Hardwicke and O’Hara are both fine (but, again, in some scenes more than others).

    I’ve not read Hugo’s novel – but I was surprised to learn at goodreads that a considerable number of those who have read it have particular issues with it (i.e., for being verbose in ways that have little to do with the main narrative). It’s not a novel I feel all that drawn to read.

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