2012 | The Hunchblog of Notre Dame

16Feb 2012

Hypothetical Casting for a Frollo

by jess

As another possible Frollo choice for a movie version may I present Iain Glen.

Iain Glen

Iain Glen has been in many British shows and movies and has done stage work. The popular show he has been in include but are not limited to MI-5 (season 9 as Vaughan Edwards), Doctor Who (Season 5 as Octavian), Game of Throne (as Ser Jorah Mormont) and Downton Abbey (Season 2 as Sir Richard Carlisle).

Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont from Game of Thrones

Now I have no shame in saying that I’m a fan of Downton Abbey and his role as the as the obsessive and possessive Richard Carlisle indicated to me that he would make a great Frollo. And when I watch Wives and Daughters (he plays Mr. Preston another character who is obsessively in love) it solidify the idea that he would make an awesome Frollo. Also based on his performance in Game of Thrones where he plays a Knight who is protective and secret in love with a much younger girl I really believe he would make an ideal Frollo.

Iain Glen as Sir Richard Carlisle from Downton Abbey

Plus he has the right look and his voice has a low, cold and threatening vibe. Another reason to cast him is like Frollo he has a sex appeal but it’s not because he’s conventionally attractive. He is defiantly a top pick for Frollo (in my mind).

Iain Glen as Vaughn Edwards from MI-5

Tell me what you think would Iain Glen make a good Frollo?

15Feb 2012

Weil du liebst, Tanz der Zigeuner and Weil du liebst (Reprise) Music of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame“ Part 7

by jess

This is the seventh part of my review on the music of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Weil du liebst

Quasimodo, Phoebus and the Gargoyles Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Weil du liebst (Because/Out of Love) occurs after Frollo makes his threat against Esmeralda and the Court of Miracle while Phoebus is trying to convince Quasimodo to leave Notre Dame and help warn her.

Unlike the Disney movie, Phoebus is softer and more understanding with Quasimodo’s hesitation. Phoebus understands why Quasimodo does not want to leave and he tells him it because of the love that he must do it. It also interesting to mention that Phoebus has not solidify a romance with Esmeralda yet. Unlike the Disney movie, it’s the Archdeacon who asks Quasimodo to hide Phoebus. So Phoebus is being a bit more altruistic here.

Also I want to point out that Phoebus was a jerk in this scene in the Disney movie. He told Quasimodo that he owns Esmeralda for helping him. However Esmeralda helped Quaismodo from the crowd partly because she pulled on stage and she had a sense of guilt about it and Quasimodo already repay her when he helped her escape Notre Dame, so he actually owns her nothing, bad argument Phoebus. This scene/song is a VAST improvement to the Disney counterpart.

Musically this song uses a bit from Ein bißchen Freude at the beginning but it turns gentle and sweet. The gargoyles get in on that song and help convince Quasimodo to help.

It’s a nice song but I feel that it exists more for the reprise than the set-up.

Tanz der Zigeuner

Dance of the Gypsies Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Tanz der Zigeuner (Dance of the Gypsies) replaces the song “Court of Miracles” from the movie. On it’s own it’s a fun little instrumental dance number that provides levity before the show gets dark.

Musically it sounds like Gypsy music with the melody from Tanz auf dem Seil. I just wish this could have existed along side Court of Miracles since it was one my favorites from the movie. Oh well, can’t have everything I suppose. Still it a nice addition to the show and I enjoy it.

Weil du liebst (Reprise)

Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Phoebus performing Weil du Liebst Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Weil du liebst Reprise a.k.a Esmeralda & Phoebus are in love and Quasimodo gets the shaft. So after Phoebus and Quasimodo warn the Gypsies, Phoebus and Esmeralda decide to leave Paris together. While Esmeralda and Phoebus declare their love Quaismodo watches them heartbroken.

The song gives Phoebus and Esmeralda a love song which was sorely missed from the movie but in this song the love story has a complexity. Neither of them ever envisioned being in love. The song also works to contrast against Quasimodo’s heartbreak better than in the movie. In the movie Phoebus and Esmeralda kiss and Quasimodo thinks of Heaven’s Light and he rips up an Ace of Hearts playing card. In this song Quasimodo pain is more felt though his singing. But then against Quasimodo in the show is a bit more angry and less “boyish”. However the presentation of Phoebus and Esmeralda singing lovingly against Quasimodo’s pain could have worked in the movie as the focus doesn’t leave Quasimodo which was very important from the Disney movie directors (eye-roll) and it doesn’t kill the pace as they sing this before fleeing which makes more sense than a wedding.

Musically the song uses Weil du liebst, Das Licht des Himmels and a touch of Draußen at the end.

I really enjoy this song it provided enough levity and yet angst before the ball drops completely on the angst.

Next Time- Wie aus Stein & Einmal

Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda singing Einmal Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

14Feb 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day 2012

by jess

Whether you Love it or Hate it, Valentine’s Day is still a Holiday! So make it the way you want it to be. And Enjoy this Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_fRtNyDiQ

Video made by thjdnv

Bad Romance with NOTRE DAME OF PARIS? Classic! And what makes it fun is the silly editing.

12Feb 2012

Benjamin Lacombe’s Notre Dame de Paris

by jess

Benjamin Lacombe is a French artist who has illustrated several books his latest is Notre Dame de Paris which was released November 30th 2011. His work has a gothic anime feel that I find appealing but I’m not sure why. I’ve seen stuff akin to it but there is something about his work that I find appealing maybe it’s the use of color or the composition. Currently the book is only available in French. Other work by Benjamin Lacombe

Click the link to buy Benjamin Lacombe’s Notre-Dame de Paris Part 1 from Amazon France

And now some pictures;

Benjamin Lacombe' s Cover of Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame and Paris by Benjamin Lacombe Notre Dame de Paris

Esmeralda by Benjamin Lacombe Notre Dame de Paris

Quasimodo by Benjamin Lacombe Notre Dame de Paris

Esmeralda and Djali by Benjamin Lacombe Notre Dame de Paris

11Feb 2012

Asian Tour of Notre Dame de Paris Pictures

by jess

More Pictures of the Asian Tour cast of Notre Dame de Paris for everyone. Please Enjoy!

Dennis Ten Vergert as Gringoire Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour of Notre Dame de Paris

Stephen Webb as Phoebus and Lily-Jane Young as Fleur de Lys Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Robert Marien as Frollo and Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda and Dennis Ten Vergert as Gringoire Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Cadice Parise as Esmeralda performing Court of Miracles Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda and Matt Laurent performing the Pagan Ave Maria Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Matt Laurent as Quasimodo and Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Dancers performing Attack on Notre Dame Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Comment if you like these Notre Dame de Paris Picture Posts. ^_~

10Feb 2012

Fan-Art Friday 2/10/12

by jess

Today’s Fan-Art is by Esmira. And it’s a depiction of Esmeralda from the book, and it’s gorgeous.

Esmeralda by Esmira

09Feb 2012

A Notre Dame Reference in an anime

by jess

In 2010, I saw the first few episodes of an anime called Blessings of the Campanella (Shukufuku no Campanella). I confess, I watch it mainly because of the word “Campanella” which can mean either a Free Standing Bell Tower like the Tower of Piza or Little Bell. So I was surpise by the Hunchback of Notre Dame reference which many people have overlooked. (Looked though the comments no one mentioned it)

Meet Agnes Boulange.

Agnes Boulange from Shukufuku no Campanella

Agnes is a street performer who performs more or less in front of a Cathedral that looks identical to Notre Dame de Paris.

Agnes Boulange from Shukufuku no Campanella

Notre Dame de Paris depicted in Shukufuku no Campanella

As a street performer Agnes makes automatic puppets (automata) dance. She even has a special puppet that can speak and takes money (Djali’s counterpart). This puppet is called Tango and it’s one of the few automata puppets that can speak (spoiler; there are like two).

Agnes with her dancing automata puppets Shukufuku no Campanella

Agnes and Tango Shukufuku no Campanella

Tango, Agnes' speaking automata puppet Shukufuku no Campanella

Now for the sake clarification. Hunchback’s leading lady, Esmerlada, is a street performer who dances for the people outside of Notre Dame de Paris but for those who don’t know her birth name is Agnes. So to have a woman named Agnes performing infront of a building that is clearly Notre Dame de Paris is a clear reference to Victor Hugo’s book. The special peforming “animal” is just a special bonus. Plus like goats, cats are associated with witches, but I think it’s just meant to be a cute animal in the anime.

Agnes Boulange from Shukufuku no Campanella

19th century Illustration of Esmeralda

I also want to mention that within the context of the anime, the world is a Fantasy which takes place in a city called Ert’Aria and the characters’ name do not follow a cultural scheme. One’s name is English in origins, another Italian. Agnes is the french one.

The anime itself is not very good. It’s a Fantasy-Harem (one male and several females) but if you’re curious or just want to see the reference for yourself you can watch the first episode on youtube with Japanese subtitles. Watch Here

Oddly, it is not available on DVD (at least in the States) however if you’re interested in either the audio CDs or the video game.

Agnes performing with Tango and the dancing automata puppets

08Feb 2012

Music of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame“ Part 6

by jess

This is the sixth part of my review on the music of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Trommeln in der Stadt

Mob Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Trommeln in der Stadt (Drums in the City) is a new song that uses Sanctuary from the original soundtrack. This song opens Act 2 and it expresses what the citizens think of Crazy Frollo’s search for Esmeralda. At first when they though it as just about “cleansing” (creepy word choice huh?) the city of Gypsies that was fine but with the all the soldiers, blockages and fire they’re are none to happy about it.

Like I said this song uses the music from Santuary, which is the music playing when Quasimodo is recusing Esmeralda from the Pyre in the movie, so the music is great. It’s dramatic and has high energy which is a great way to start the the second act. It also great to see how the normal people of Paris react to Frollo’s obsession.

Ein Mann wie du

Quasimodo with the Gargoyles Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Ein Mann wie du (A Man like you) is A Guy like you. It pretty much the same as the original song but it’s less annoying. Instead of making visual gags the Gargoyles throw random French words and phases into the song. Which isn’t as annoying as it sounds.

The song has one other difference Quasimodo sings in it. From what I can understand of the lyrics (because my German is non-existence) is that Quasimodo expresses that he wants to believe the Gargoyles but doesn’t quite. Musically I don’t think it adds much I guess it adds a bit of character development because this musically is a a lot guilty at throwing Quasimodo at the audience but at least he is more interesting here than the Disney movie Quaismodo.

Quasimodo with Antoine, Charles and Loni Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Given that this song in it’s conception is song that provides levity it’s a little awkwardly placed in this musical. As movies have continuous action something was need after Hellfire, the torture of Gypsies, the burning of the house, Phoebus getting shot and falling in the river to bright up the mood and while I don’t like A Guy like you at least the placement makes sense. Ein Mann wie du as a song of levity doesn’t really work. It’s the second song in Act 2 so the audience has had a break and the song prior didn’t have an emotional investment in it as it’s just about the Citizens of Paris. So ultimately and this pains me to say it’s not as successful as A Guy like you, it’s just better performed and not nearly as annoying.

So it’s mixed I don’t hate this song as I hate it’s Disney counterpart but I dislike the song in the musical as it doesn’t work as it’s concept intended. It hard because I like 10x better than the Movie version.

Next Time-
Weil du liebst
Tanz der Zigeuner
Weil du liebst

Quasimodo, Phoebus and the Gargoyles Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

07Feb 2012

Asian Tour of Notre Dame de Paris Pictures

by jess

I’ve found a ton of pictures from the Asian Tour Cast but in an effort to keep my sanity I’m going to post them over a series of posts, so Enjoy!

Dennis Ten Vergert as Gringoire Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Ian Carlyle as Clopin Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Candice Parise as Esmeralda Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Stephen Webb as Phoebus and Lily-Jane Young as Fleur de Lys Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Dancer Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Court of Miracles Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Stephen Webb as Phoebus Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Robert Marien as Frollo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

Matt Laurent as Quasimodo Asian Tour Notre Dame de Paris

04Feb 2012

Wilson’s Concept art for Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame

by jess

I was doing some research at work a few days ago on Russian Animation and I found these pictures (which have nothing to do with Russian Animation.) In fact these pictures are concept art by Rowland B. Wilson. Wilson created production art for Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as The Little Mermaid, Tarzan and Hercules.

Enjoy!