I Watch Films: The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1976)
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1976)
At the Feast Of Fools in 15th Century Paris Pierre Gringoire tries to put on a play. This is interrupted by students led by Jehan Frollo, who instead chose to elect a Pope Of Fools. The winner is Quasimodo (Warren Clarke), hunchbacked, ugly and deaf from bellringing in the Cathedral Of Notre Dame. He is a follower of Claude Frollo, long-suffering brother of Jehan, archdeacon of Notre Dame. Quasimodo was a foundling left on the cathedral steps and brought up by Frollo.
At the festivities there are a gypsy troupe, amongst them Esmerelda (Michelle Newell) who dances and also has a goat that can count. Claude Frollo and Gringoire both are entranced by her. Following her into the backstreets, Frollo sends Quasimodo to kidnap her, but Gringoire intervenes. Then Captain Phoebus de Chateaupers and his men arrive; they arrest Quasimodo and Esmerelda is struck by the handsome captain to Frollo’s jealousy. Gringoire finds himself amongst the beggars whose king threatens to kill him unless they find someone who will marry him. Esmerelda has pity on him and agrees.
Quasimodo is put on trial; between his deafness, the heckling students (Jehan is accused of rioting, he gets off thanks to his brother’s influence) and the obtuseness of the judge he’s sentenced to be flogged in the pillory. Begging for water Esmerelda gives him a drink and he joins the list of those infatuated with her.
Sometime later Jehan tries to get money from Frollo, offering some gossip about Phoebus and Esmerelda. Spying on their meeting, Esmerelda insists she must remain chaste (her marriage with Gringoire remains unconsummated to Gringorire’s annoyance). Frollo emerges and stabs the Captain. Esmerelda is tried for it, she’s found guilty and also of black magic, confessing under torture. Frollo offers to get her out in return for submitting to his lust; she refuses. On the day of her hanging Gringoire appeals to get her off; Captain Phoebus appears in the window, and Esmerelda points out she can’t be guilty of murder if he’s alive. The hanging proceeds; Quasimodo attacks the hangmen, rescues her and takes her into the cathedral shouting sanctuary.
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the story ends in tragedy. This BBC adaption has very theatre-like sets, and is staged theatrically. The camera though enables us to see the scenes from several angles, to close in and zoom out. A workmanlike job, a very mannered script. Within those constraints, the multiple obsessions and desires, the cruel grinding of the justice system, the church failing to enlighten, it’s a strong adaption.
Watch This: Stylish adaption of the weird and grim story
Don’t Watch This: A film should be a film and a play should
be a play
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