The Hunchback of Notre Dame

1939
Approved
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

13K

YOUR RATING

Maureen O'Hara and Charles Laughton in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

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75 Photos

Period Drama Drama Romance

In 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.In 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.In 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

13K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total

Frollo
(as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)

Thomas Mitchell

Clopin

Edmond O'Brien

Gringoire

Alan Marshal

Phoebus

Walter Hampden

Archdeacon

Harry Davenport

King Louis XI

Katharine Alexander

Madame de Lys

George Zucco

Procurator

Fritz Leiber

Old Nobleman

Etienne Girardot

Doctor

Helene Reynolds

Fleur de Lys
(as Helene Whitney)

Minna Gombell

Queen of Beggars
(as Mina Gombell)

Arthur Hohl

Olivier

Curt Bois

Student

George Tobias

Beggar

Rod La Rocque

Phillippe
(as Rod LaRocque)

Director
- William Dieterle
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
For the scene in which Quasimodo is whipped, Charles Laughton instructed an assistant director to twist his ankle outside of camera range so he would really be in pain. Even through the heavy hump and rubber body suit, he felt every lash and often came home badly bruised. Before the 16th take, director William Dieterle whispered to him, "Now, Charles, listen to me. Let's do it one more time, but this time I want you . . . I want you to suffer." According to Laughton's wife, Elsa Lanchester, the actor never forgave him for that.

Goofs
The cathedral is shown as having a full flight of steps up to the front doors. Notre Dame has always been more or less level with the square (le Parvis).

Quotes
[Last lines]
Quasimodo, the bell-ringer: [to one of the stone gargoyles] Why was I not made of stone - like thee?

Crazy credits
PROLOGUE: "With the end of the 15th Century, the Middle Ages came to a close. Europe began to see great changes. France, ravaged by a hundred years of war, at last found peace. The people under Louis XI felt free to hope again --- to dream of progress. But superstition and prejudice often stood in the way, seeking to crush the adventurous spirit of man."

Alternate versions
Also available in a computer colorized version.

Connections
Edited into The Clock (2010)

Soundtracks
Ave Maria
(1572) (uncredited)
Music by Tomás Luis de Victoria
Sung by mixed chorus during opening credits

User reviews117

Review

Featured review

10/10

The best of the myriad different film versions of a most excellent novel

The best of the many versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, for my money, is this one, although Lon Chaney's is a close second. Despite a Hollywood tendancy to change the novel's ending so as not to depress the cash customers (although, pray tell, if you're going to change the ending, why does no one ever see Quasimodo sailing off to Tahiti with the girl? Rule # 1: strong, handsome poets beat out disfigured cripples every time, even if they're heroes. This is more true in real life than in the movies. Take my word for this, I know from painful experience *sigh*)

Charles Laughton is exceptional and Maureen O'Hara would make any man swoon and is perfect for the part of Esmerelda. The support includes the usual suspects-Thomas Mitchell, Harry Davenport and many other familiar character actors. Strike up the band and start the parade. Thunderous applause. Most highly recommended.