80 Stylin’ Quasimodo; The 1982 Version

 

The 1982 version is like the 1939 version of Quasimodo; Good Night everyone.

Alright, is all serious Hopkins plays Quasimodo pretty much like Laughton 1939 version. He is very sympathetic and humanized. He doesn’t have any malice in his personality. There is few difference to this Quasimodo verses the 1939.

First the big one, Quasimodo dies in this version. Frollo stabs him while he is protecting Esmeralda. Now this is the second time Quaismodo has died as a result of Frollo stabbing but this is the first time where Quasimodo kills Frollo by impaling him on a large nail. It rob Frollo of his dramatic death. But seeing how Quasimodo doesn’t exactly go into a fit of rage it’s a mute point.

As Quasimodo doesn’t swing down from Notre Dame. Instead he climbs down and fights off the guard and carries her in. It’s less dramatic but it have good tension and action.

Let’s talk about his looks. Quasimodo has a very 80’s style haircut. It’s like a mullet. His protrusion is more wart like. The teeth were very jagged. It a good look except for the hair it’s too silly 80s hair.

Another difference between the 82 and the 39 version is in was they approach to the character’s lines. Laughton plays him with a lot of pathos and sympathy. Hopkins has a great combination of pathos and jovial-ness to his dialogue.

While this version is comparable to the 1939 version Hopkins does brings a new angle to the sympathetic Quasimodo and it’s a very good depiction of Quasimodo except for that mullet.

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