Review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) by George R — 13 Dec 2009
To my knowledge, there have been at least six film incarnations of Victor Hugo's THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, including Lon Chaney's eerie portrayal in 1923. In my opinion, this 1939 telling, featuring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara, stands "head and hump" above the rest.
Laughton is in rare form in what may have been his best performance and, for Charles Laughton, that's saying a lot. Where Chaney's Quasimodo is often menacing and macabre, Laughton manages to exude an almost impish sense of humor in the face of unbelievable cruelty and tragic circumstance.
Never have I felt so much empathy for a character. One of my all-time favorite films.
This review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) was written by George R on 13 Dec 2009.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
