Review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) by Sherry L — 13 Jun 2012

1939 was a very rich movie year. That's probably why this movie usually is left ouside movie canons that goes chronologically, since there are; Gone With The Wind, The Wizard Of Oz, Destry Rides Again, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Ninotchka, Wuthering Heights, ect. But in my personal "1001 movies you must see before you die" (not as if I've made such a list yet) I think I would remove Gunga Din from the year 1939, and put The Hunchback of Notre Dame there instead.

It's by far the best adaptation of this great story by Victor Hugo, about unresponded love in Paris during the 1500th century.

Irish actress Maureen O'Hara took the opputinuty to break through in Hollywood with the role as the ravishing beautiful gyspy girl Esmeralda, who stole the heart of every men in Paris. Even the heart of the sinister brother of the bishop, Frollo (Cedric Hardwick), which will lead to disaster.

Charles Laugthton is unforgettable as the hunchback, Quasimodo, the protegé of Frollo, who because of his dreadful appearances is locked in the tower of Notre Dame. He sneaks out one day and spottes Esmeralda dancing with her tambourine.

Esmeralda herself is torn between two men, a poet and a captain, which one of they are doomed to give his life for Esmeralda.

Thomas Mitchell, (who starred in quite a number of oscar nominé movies, this same year) also had a small part as Clopin, leader of the gypsies.

The director is William Dieterle, who specialized in passionate triangle dramas in movies.

I definately think this movie if worth your time, even though it's not always mentioned in critics canons!