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An Awesome Movie

When I first went to rent this movie , I didn't have high hopes. Everybody that saw it said it was to dark or boring. Well, I disagree with them. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my favorite movies. It's filled with romance , action , humor , drama , and suspense. The songs are the best, from the famous music composer Alan Menken.There are so many different varieties. From "Out There" to "Topsy Turvy" to "Hellfire" to "God Help The Outcasts" . The story is great too. It is about a mysterious , shy bell ringer named Quasimodo who wants to be in the outside world , but it is forbidden by his evil , master Frollo who killed his mother when he was a baby.Quasimodo finally enters the outside where he meets a gypsy girl named Esmerelda.The most unlikely of heroes , Quasi has to fight to protect Paris from Frollo.It includes famous voices too , Tom Hulce (Quasimodo) , Kevin Kline (Phoebus) , Jason Alexander (Hugo) , and Demi Moore (Esmerelda).The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be one of your favorite Disney movies , i assure you.10/10

Very adult

This is a good Disney film with some very adult concepts (a baby is nearly thrown down a well, the villian burns down France out of lust etc) The animation fits this adult tone perfectly and most of the songs add to the movies tone rather than make it a Disney film, but unfortuately there is one thing that ruins this film TALKING GARGOYLES. They dont fit into the film, they are not played straight at any point and add comedy to scenes that do not need it. Without them this would be the finest piece of animation ever to come out of Disney or even the USA but with them it is just good.

Lacks charm of classic Disney movies

Disney was not doing their best work when they produced this movie. It just didn't have the charm of Disney's other animated movies. The animation wasn't as rich and colorful as the older ones. It looked hastily done, as if the artists were painting by number---no fine detail, no artistic touches, nothing. That was a disappointment. The story itself is also a disappointment. It has little to do with the book (not that it always has to) and it just isn't a story that will entertain kids. What little kid wants to see a poor innocent man tortured and humiliated? It was so violent and had lots of religious themes that take away the viewer's attention. It isn't charming, it isn't fun to watch, and it isn't classic Disney. The movie was made in too much of a rush, and Disney should not have even attempted.

A Classic Story in the Disney stile

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is an adaptation of the story wrote by Victor Hugo. And it has great characters like the gargoyles or Quasimodo or Esmeralda. In here Frollo is the perfect Disney villain.

Awestruck by cinematography,puzzled by who target audience is.

Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame is a technically, cinematographically and choreographically brilliant film. The music and songs are slick, the script is funny and moving by turn and the story, although a "disneyfied" version of the Hugo original, still works. The lack of usual Disney sugared schmalz is, in actual fact, refreshing.However, just whom was the film aimed at? The-on screen attempt to burn alive a family, the presumed actual burning and killing of the gypsies, the torture of a disabled person, attempted genocide, the internal wrestling of a cleric with his conscience, visions of hell, suppressed sexual desire...hardly the fare that most parents wish for their children. I found it fascinating but the jokey gargoyles were not enough to keep my 3 and a half year old spell-bound. (It's noteworthy that the trailer for this film on other Disney videos selects very carefully the scenes to show, creating a totally misleading impression of its suitability for kids).Hunchback was not a great hit and this was probably because it was just too "difficult", both for young minds to follow and for older audiences to swallow. The fact is, Disney produced an art movie with an unavoidable political message. I wonder if it meant to?David

Not the best movie Disney's ever made!!!

Well, as a BIG fan of Disney animation, I have to say I was disappointed in this picture. Having come off of my extreme disappointment with Pocahontas, I expected this movie to make up for the mistakes of the last one. I was wrong. Not only didn't The Hunchback correct the mistakes of its previous box office flop but it made some new mistakes that were even worse. For one, making some of the scenes in the movie too emotionally intense(the humiliation scene, the Hellfire scene, and the burning of the miller's house) Two, WAY too much religious icons(Lady Mary w/ baby Jesus, the statue of the saints and huge cross is Judge Frollo's chambers). While I understand the story centers around man who is isolated in a church, I feel the repeated references to God and Mary may isolate some viewers(like myself). Point blank, religion DOES NOT belong in Disney movies(or at least not that much of it!!! And last but certainly not least, my biggest complaint is the hero doesn't get the girl!!!! Disney is known for 3 things: its musical storytelling, it's beautiful animation, and it's hero/heroine relationship. While it delivered on the music and animation, it failed on this important component. I mean, poor Quasimodo is rejected and humiliated by the world outside of Notre Dame and after being rescued by Esmeralda(who makes him feel as if she understands his plight and shows signs of liking him), ultimately chooses pretty boy Phoebus because he saved one family from a burning house(which was set on fire by the villain he use to work for). What is up with that??? I mean, Quasi gets his own movie, a song telling how great he is(A Guy Like You), and right afterwards, has to endure the heartbreak of knowing the woman he loves is attracted to another man(a man who worked for his wicked master and probably only quit cause he wanted to be with Esmeralda). I mean, who helped Esmeralda escape? Not Phoebus. Who rescued Esmeralda from certain death at the hands of the malevolent Frollo? Not Phoebus. And who risked his own life to finally put an end to corrupt judge at the heartpounding climax atop the church? Not Phoebus. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing but put it in the light of people with disabilities. How do you children with facial deformation felt about this picture? Disney has always had a beautiful lesson to teach kids of all ages. Well, what kinda lesson does this teach special needs kids or unpopular kids in general. You can do all the work but don't expect to get the credit because your not what society considers normal? That's certainly the impression I got and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Point blank, Disney in this film, fell into the stereotype of the perfect couple(which is a surprise consider their overwhelming success on Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin). While this certainly doesn't change my opinion of Disney animated films in general, I have to say I don't recommend this movie as a first choice(unless your in the mood for a dramatic Broadway-style film with a questionable ending).

Underrated!!

This is the single most underrated, unappreciated Disney movie ever made. The animation is superb, and the music is to DIE for. There is more soul, more energy, and more meaning in this movie than any other animated feature I have ever seen.


But beyond that, the direction is...breathtaking. The shots the directors chose, the frames they focus on...they leave you speechless really. I'm at a loss for how to describe them.

This is a masterpiece and it belongs in every movie-goer's collection. (I would not, however, suggest watching the "Making Of" bit in the Extra's section. It's silly and certainly meant for children or over-eager fans of Jason Alexander.)

Decent but lacks a sense of wonder.

Whenever you think of Disney films, you typically think of cutesy, happy-go-lucky 80 minute comedy musicals with pop culture jokes to appeal to adults and a sappy ending to make the kids happy, but Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame is quite different from that. It's surprisingly a much more darker and more serious film than Disney's usual cartoons. Although none of it is ever graphic, there is a surprising amount of on-screen deaths for a G rated Disney cartoon. The movie also deals with several adult subjects like racism, persucution, and even religion. The film is mostly serious but there are some comical moments performed by Quasimodo's gargoyle friends. Unfortunately, as funny as the gargoyles are, none of them were really all that memorable and I actually find myself having trouble remembering any of their names and while they did have their laughable moments, there were also times were I felt like their presence felt intrusive, especially in the later more dramatic moments of the story. I didn't like how they had the gargoyles help fend off the soldiers near the end of the film, either. What made the gargoyles tolerable is that they were kept seperate from the rest of the "real world" of the story and were only used when Quasimodo was alone, as part of his imagination. By having them fight the soldiers, it feels like Disney is trying to mesh the realisim of the story with the fantasy elements, which works fine with most of their other films, but feels really out of place in this more serious movie. It's like Disney wants to push the G rating as much as possible, but they aren't brave enough to truly make this a dark film, so they had the gargoyles included to lighten things up for the kiddies. Perhaps if this movie was rated PG instead, Disney would've been more free to explore the darker sides of this story and the gargoyles could've been used a lot less.


Aside from Qausimodo, most of the other characters feel very Disney stereotypical. Esmeralda is your average spunky Disney heroine, Phoebus is the typical dashing Disney hero with a big head who falls in love with the heroine, and Frollo is Scar from The Lion King in human form. Despite a rather small cast of characters compared to Disney's other films, very little development is given to any of them aside from Qausimodo. I couldn't really connect with any of the other supporting characters because not enough time was spent developing them and it didn't help that most of their personalities are Disney stereotypes. The Hunchback Of Notre Dame also lacks that magical sense of wonder that other Disney movies have. The storyline is entertaining but you just don't really feel drawn into it.


The Hunchback Of Notre Dame does have some gorgeous animation, though. I loved the detail designs of the churches and this film has some of Disney's most stunning animation, easily rivaling any of their classics in the visuals department. The background music is beautiful as well, but other than "Out There" and "Hellfire", most of their songs are pretty forgettable, and even those two noteable tunes get rather old after a while. Don't get me wrong; The Hunchback Of Notre Dame is far from being a bad film and I enjoyed it a lot. I loved how Disney attempted to show a darker side for a change, Qausimodo is one of their more likeable heroes and one that anybody who's been a social outcast can easily relate to, and the animation is gorgeous, but the film just doesn't connect to the viewer and some of the comedy scenes felt very out of place. Still, older viewers who think they're too grown up for Disney's more childish movies but still love animation will enjoy this film, and diehard Disney fans will want to add this movie into their collection, but casual moviegoers should pass this up and stick to something like Beauty And The Beast instead, and most of this film will probably be uninteresting to younger viewers due to its lack of magical fuzzy creatures and its more serious undertones.

Quasi meets the Mouse

With the release of Disney's take on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Victor Hugo no doubt flipped in his crypt. While the story lends itself well to song and spectacle, both of which are abundant here, the novel is just too sad to pass through the Disney prism unreformed. Gone is all reference to Quasimodo's deafness. Gone is the poet/playwright; much of his role is commandeered by Phoebus. A vain, shallow jerk in the original, who thinks Esmerelda is a piece of a$$, Phoebus, in Diz, becomes the romantic hero, if something of a jock. (He also has an inclination to pun, as when he commands his horse, "Achilles! Heel!" -- or when, regarding Esmerelda's goat, he says, "I didn't know you had a kid.") And, of course, both Esmerelda and the reconstructed Phoebus survive in the Diz version; in the novel, Frollo murders Phoebus and successfully frames the girl, who is executed for it. (So a Diz movie has a happy ending. Don't try to tell me that's a spoiler.)The unspeakably sad conclusion of the novel is supplanted by cartoon Quasi's emergence into the sunlight, at Esmerelda's urging, to be hailed as the toast of Paris. The theme, fortunately, isn't so much the hackneyed lesson to "accept people no matter how they look," and more the question of what makes a monster and what makes a man (i.e., a retread of the core concern of the Diz "Beauty and the Beast"). Still, when Mel Brooks finally gave Frankenstein's monster a long-overdue happy ending, at least he had the sense to do it in the context of a satire. Then again, there ARE those gargoyles.

A nice Disney film

Disney's animated film "the Hunchback of Notre Dame" is my first experience with Victor Hugo's story. I saw this film first time back in the 1996 while being eight years old and the film did impress me greatly. Seeing the opening song "Bells of Notre Dame" on a huge screen is one of the best movie experiences I've had. Since then I've seen the film few times again and although it's not as great as the directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise's previous project "Beauty and the Beast", it still remains as a very good Disney film.I can imagine the difficulty writers have gone through to transform Hugo's dark tragedy to a film that would keep the essence of the book but also be suitable for the children. In many parts they have obviously used the 1939 Charles Laughton film as an inspiration. In the end the film does include all the most famous scenes of Hugo's book like the Feast of Fools, Court of Miracles, the invasion to Notre Dame, Esmeralda's saving from the execution, the nearly fatal stabbing of Phoebus (though in different circumstances than in the book) and other things.Beside the story becoming more comfortable for children, characters themselves also have gone through changes. Quasimodo is not as bitter towards rest of the world as in the book, Frollo has become judge instead of priest (like in 1939 film) and apart of few scenes appears to be nearly pure evil character. Esmeralda is more mature here than in the book. I don't really understand why so since Disney has used young girls as their heroines before, I can only guess they didn't want an old guy like Frollo lust after a girl. The biggest problem I have with the story is making Phoebus the hero. I know this was done back in 1923 also, but in the book Phoebus was certainly no hero. Why not use Gringoire again like in other movies? Or better yet, why not make a film where Esmeralda would have accepted Quasimodo? Wouldn't the theme of loving people for who they are and not what they look like be perfect for Disney? Visually and technically the film is a feast for eyes. Animation is constantly moving and colorful, and very detailed works of Notre Dame is superb to watch. Also a great thing about this film is music and songs by Alan Menken. Along with the opening song "Bells of Notre Dame" another memorable ones are Esmeralda's beautiful "God Help the Outcast" and Frollo's "Hellfire", which is one of the darkest scenes in Disney history. From voice actors Tom Hulce as Quasimodo, late Tony Jay as Frollo and Paul Kandel as Clopin all provide great voices for their characters and they even sang their own songs.So Disney's take on "Hunchback of Notre Dame" may not be in the list of top 5 greatest Disney movies, but it is wonderful animation to watch and certainly a good way to introduce Victor Hugo's story to kids. Just prepare an explanation for them when they ask "why did Frollo sniff Esmeralda's hair?"

MR. DISNEY, HIMSELF, WOULD BE PROUD!

Because I've read how the original "Fantasia" was his attempt to meld classical music with cartoon animation for the audiovisual pleasure of the average person. And, though it was a box-office flop in the beginning, time has ultimately proven Walt's faith justified. Well, I am unalterably certain that he would have felt doubly rewarded, in the case of "HOND."
This is the closest I've ever seen an animated feature come to being a grand opera! *Possible spoilers.* The villainy of Frollo; the cat-and-mouse love that develops between Phoebus and Esmeralda; and the strong, quiet, often-tragic heroism of Quasimodo. No matter how many times I watch the video of this movie, I never come away from it with dry eyes. And, for a middle-aged guy like myself to shamelessly admit that isn't easy! In short, I think this version of "Hunchback of Notre Dame" indisputably deserves four stars. And, any armchair reviewer who gives it less is a heartless Philistine!!

Don't even get me started.

I have to admit, that over the past few years, I have grown to despise Disney's recent animated efforts, taking great novels and legends and turning them into absolute garbage. In short, Disney ruined Victor Hugo's masterpiece. It's not supposed to have a happy meal ending. Many of the characters end up dead in the novel. The songs, a Disney trademark, are rushed and annoying.Disney tried to take an adult story and make it one for children. Not only did they fail, they proved how low they could go with this stinker.

What would Hugo have made of it?

The issue of how far away from source material movie adaptations should stray is always a prickly issue.I imagine myself as Victor Hugo, bodily transported into the 21st Century, given a crash course in technological development, and then sat down in front of Disney's Hunchback. What would I be thinking? Well, for sure, I would recognise my novel as the source material of what was in front of me. I would see that it had been grossly simplified in the course of adapting it for presentation to an audience substantially younger that the audience it was written for, and that would perhaps mystify me somewhat - I would need to understand the nature of the Disney organisation and, even then, I might wonder at their choice of material.This contrast/conflict would also explain why the film was so colourful, contained songs, and contained a Hunchback who was lovable rather then hideous. By this point I might feel that the movie was escaping my original intentions but, by the time I had finished watching it I might understand that it was still dark in much of its tone and that it still addressed some adult issues which remained from the original.Most of all, I hope I might understand that this easy access, mass media adaptation would be a highly effective way of introducing many people to a centuries old novel which they might otherwise never encounter and, in so doing, bring my original novel to future generations. And I think that would please me.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame DVD

"The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" represents a perfect addition to Disney's cannon. No, it is not as dark, or as rich as the book but I am reviewing the movie here as is, I am not into reviewing books. The film gives us the life of Quasimodo who is secluded from from the world atop the bell towers of Notre Dame. He is the servent of one of Disney's cruelest villains, Frollo - - who does not allow the hunchback out of the tower. Other then his Gargoyle friends, Quasi has no one. Until he defies his master and meets Esmeralda in The Festival Of Fools, and falls in love with her.

Disney's 34th Animated Feature contains some of the darkest elements that the studio has ever put into a feature since "Night On Bald Mountain" in "Fantasia." Some of the film's elements are very suprising to see in a Disney animated feature. Most notably the underlying sexual desire (subtle though) of Frollo for Esmeralda. This story arch gives us the film's strongest song, "Hell Fire".

The animation is wonderful. Specifically, the opening shot sequence through the skies of Paris and again during the "Hell's Fire" sequence.

Was there anything I didn't like? Sure, but not much. The only thing that comes to mind is the song "A Guy Like You" sung by the Gargoyles, which seems to have been put there only to secure the G-rating.

Definatley one of the best Disney classics from the '90's. Followed by Kid-friendly sequel "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II".

best Disney ever

My all time favorite Disney movie! The characters were great, and I think Frollo (the bad guy) was the most evil Disney has ever made anyone seem. Also the music is great. It's broadway style music, and that really helps the story. I also think this is the most intense Disney has ever gone. Even though the storyline is not completely true to the original book, I think I liked it better. I do not recommend this movie for little kids because it is really intense. The violence is more than usual for Disney, but it's not just that. There are a lot of emotional and dramatic issues involved. But anyone who can take this should definitely buy this movie. It will pull you in and you'll want to watch it again and again at least if you're like me.

Hunchback of Notre Dam

This is one of my absolute favorite Disney movies, as well as my daughter's (who dressed up like Esmerelda 3 Halloweens in a row!). She still has the scarf, which is like 13 years old!!

Great movie!!

It's an Opera, in the good sense!!!

This is an underated classic, and some critics agree. Roger Ebert gave it Four Stars, which is the highest they'd give. Off course it's a flawed masterpiece, considering those idiotic singing gargoyles.But the songs (except the one sung by the gargoyles) are brilliant (if you listen to the words), the score is brilliant, the animation WOW! And it has a spiritual side. True faith vs corrupted faith. Esmeralda, the gyspy, in her song "God Bless the Outcasts" attains a simple faith while Frollo (Frodo? hahaha) thinks himself perfect. The words of the afore mentioned song strikes upon one of the principle of Christianity; Christ was an outcast.Despite the spiritual side, it goes more for a humanistic message that is in itself an important one.But this is Disney at it's darkest so I don't think very young children should watch this. It might upset them.

Not like the book, but still good

If I had read the book before this came out I would not have believed that Disney could make a movie out of Victor Hugo's classic tragedy, but they managed to pull it off. Although the cartoon is only loosely based on the novel it's charming in it's own way. And, despite a few mature themes, it's fine for younger children. When I first saw this at age 5 I managed to understand the movie without grasping the sexual or violent aspects. For example, Frollo's lust for Esmerelda seemd like one-sided love. Disney handled the darker side of the story well.

All in all, it's a fun film with only a bit of Disney's usual over the top silliness.

True beauty is the one within

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is an extremely worthwile movie, appealing to both children and adults. With stunningly beautiful animation and backgrounds, breathtaking music and delightful voice-acting, it can easily pass for one of the most glorious gems in Disney's crown.

Speaking of the highlights, Tom Hulce definitely steals the show with his heartfelt speaking and singing voice performance. His Quasimodo is so beautifully true and lovable - you can immediately feel the connection with the character; actually you can read his soul from the voice, which is so amazing!

Words are just not enough to describe the thrilling brilliance of this animated masterpiece; I'd say the life action movie couldn't please you with so much beauty radiating from the screen. Everyone should see this timeless tale of tolerance, understanding and friendship. Along with "Beauty and the Beast" and "Pocahontas", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is one of the best movies ever!

Rated G?

This should be rated PG-13 for violence ( the scene when

esmerelda is burning ), cursing ( there Is a song with cursing
in it ), and other very innapropiate scenes. And THAT'S only
half an hour of this dreadful movie. This could also be rated
R, which could very well be possible. It has a very creepy
setting for everyone, young and old, and should be ignored

by every family in the country. This movie has the horrible
music from the same song-writer as the little mermaid. Walt
Disney would be terrified if he viewed this movie. There hasn't
been a good disney movie that wasn't directed by Walt Disney
since Mulan, Mulan II, and the Emperor's New Groove.

Disney should stop using Europe as a setting. It's booooriiing.
At this point, seeing Europe is like seeing a pencil. Been there,
done that.


If you are planning to watch this movie, don't. It really should
be rated PG-13, or even rated R. Thank you.