Being forced to watch very, very bad versions of Hunchback makes me more grateful to the Disney version. The Disney version
Clopin with Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
10. Clopin
Clopin is just such a fun and interesting character. He kinds neither good or bad. I guess he more of a light gray. I wish he was in more of the movie.
Esmeralda singing “God Help the Outcast” Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
9. Animation
Gorgeous Animation is a Disney hallmark and the Hunchback is no exception. There are some gorgeous shots. Though the CG crowds didn’t age well but you seldom really notice them unless you’re looking.
Esmeralda and Quaismodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
8.The Pacing
The pacing is great in this movie. There are no low points and the story moves from point to point really well.
Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
7. Accuracy to Notre Dame
The way they rendered the Cathedral is lovely and you can see all the effort that went in to it. I mean they did make it larger but they did capture its Beauty and it intricate little details. They might have been to accurate since they included elements that were not present at the time of the story but that is a nitpick that you would have to be aware of.
Clopin Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback Notre Dame
6. The Songs
With one exception, you know the one, the songs are really great. Some are better than others but on the whole they are great.
Frollo stares at Notre Dame during the Bells of Notre Dame FDisney Hunchback of Notre Dame
5. The Music Score
The Score was inspired by Mozart’s Requiem Mass and it really is gorgeous especially Sanctuary. It really one the best Disney scores ever.
Frollo and Baby Quasimodo during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunch back of Notre Dame
4. Frollo
Frollo is one of the most complex Disney Villains. On one hand he is cool and cruel and the other he’s bat-shit crazy but he thinks he’s good and just even when trying to kill a baby he thinks he is in the right.
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
3. Hellfire/Heaven’s Light
This is kind of like A Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria in reverse. A Lot of the drama comes from the duality of the Heaven and Hell. Though you would get little argument that Hellfire is the better song in both the visuals and the lyrics. It so dark and twisted but Heaven’s Light just elevates Hellfire crazed hellish tone. It’s kind ironic that Frollo is praying to Mary in this song.
A Puppet of Quasimodo during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of notre dame
2. The Opening
The Opening is amazing. In 5 minutes we get some drama, some humor and all the backstory. The song and the visuals are wonderful. I like how dark this gets and there is no denying that crescendo at the end. Flawless
Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
1. It introduced people to The Hunchback of Notre
While of course this is not true for everyone, The Disney version did introduced people to the characters and the ideas of the novel. Without it people may not be fans of original story today.
Honorable mention Djali
I love Djali to pieces
Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
True, true. If not for this movie, I would have never read the book. If I had read it without any prior knowledge, I probably wouldn’t have even read past the first couple of chapters. The exposition on Gringoire’s ill-fated play and the architecture chapters of death would have deterred me, heh.
This has always been my favorite Disney movie even as a kid. Yeah, I was one of the weirdos, lol. I think, with this moive, you have to take into account that the movie is “inspired” by the Victor Hugo novel, and not a real adaptation.
All in all, I agree with every point you made. I might add that I love all the voice acting. I know you’re not too fond of a couple of them, but I think they did a wonderful job.
P.S. I finally saw the full poster of the U.S. musical. I love it now, haha. Notre Dame was the thing that was missing from the cropped version. http://i.imgur.com/yVfKHLo.jpg