Directed by:
William DieterleCinematography:
Joseph H. AugustComposer:
Alfred NewmanCast:
Charles Laughton, Cedric Hardwicke, Thomas Mitchell, Maureen O'Hara, Edmond O'Brien, Alan Marshal, Walter Hampden, Harry Davenport, Katharine Alexander (more)Plots(1)
Starring Charles Laughton as the severely misshapen bellringer Quasimodo, William Dieterle's adaptation of the familiar Victor Hugo classic is set in the bustling society of 15th-century Paris, as the forces of church and state strive to maintain their sway over a populace struggling for a better life. Jean Frollo (Cedric Hardwicke), chief justice of Paris, unites secular and religious authority in one foully hypocritical personage. Spying a spectacularly beautiful Gypsy woman named Esmeralda (Maureen O'Hara) in church, he sends his factotum, Quasimodo, to abduct her. Frollo's plan is foiled by Phoebus, captain of the guard (Alan Marshall), and the hunchback is sentenced to public flogging and exposure. Despite her earlier fear of Quasimodo, only Esmeralda is willing help the bound hunchback as he begs for water in the public square. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
Here, they really went all out, especially the people working on the set design, costumes, and masks. Charles Laughton is unrecognizable, but that was primarily the point. Quasimodo is indeed an excellent character and overshadows everyone, although it's worth noting that the evil in humanity is beautifully highlighted here. A very good adaptation, and it doesn't matter at all that it's American.
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