Book | The Hunchblog of Notre Dame

08May 2013

The Art of The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Review

by jess

The Art of the Hunchback of Notre Dame

One of the best companion pieces to the Disney version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is The Art of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney Miniature).

Concept art of Quasimodo saving Esmeralda from the Art of the Hunchback

It’s for all intended purpose thisis an art book. It has tons of concept art, production stills, sketches, illustrations from the novel, and art by Victor Hugo. (Hugo’s own art work is gorgeous). However the major flaw with it is its size. It’s tiny for something that is an art book. Here’s a picture of it compare to my Final Fantasy IX art book (I had this book for a while).

Size comparison of The Art of the Hunchback of Notre to The Art of Final Fantasy IX

The Hunchback art book is 5.6 inches by 4.3 inches compare to the art Final Fantasy IX which is 11.8 inches by 9.3 inches. However I think this isn’t suppose to be a true art book as much a more in depth look behind movie’s creation.

Concept Art for Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The book has a ton of information about the background on the book, characters and a lot of how the movie art plays with light and shadows. It’s a very interesting read although Stephen Rebello does make one big generalization. In the Quasimodo chapter page 57, he writes ” Victor Hugo probably never imagined his malformed, melancholy creation breaking forth into song.” Hugo himself wrote a libretto for Louise Bertin’s opera La Esmeralda . Making Hugo the first person to adapt the novel. Considering Hugo wrote Quasimodo an aria, I think it’s safe to say that he did imagine him breaking out into song. On a side note, that aria was only piece people liked from the opera. You can listen to it here

Concept Art of Quasimodo from the Art of the Hunchback of Notre Dame

Anyway despite that generalization it is well researched and an interesting read with lots of great artwork. I would highly recommend it for fans of the Disney movie.

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07Aug 2012

Hugo’s Classic in 4 minutes

by jess

This delightful video was made by Amanda G. and it’s a summary of the novel in 4 minutes. Enjoy

Thanks to Amanda G. for letting me post this

11Apr 2012

Notre Dame de Paris Graphic Novel

by jess

This is a video for the new Notre Dame de Paris Graphic Novel by Robin Recht and Jean Bastide Book 1 (France)

Esmeralda is once again in red, does anyone else think this a cliche that should die? Because I’m getting annoyed by it, (future article*). But other than that I like the artwork it’s fairly simple yet effective.

To order it from Amazon Canada Please Click HERE

29Mar 2012

Happy Ananke Day Everyone!

by jess

March 29 is apparently Ananke Day according to the good people at The Frollo Forum. Ananke was the original inspiration for the character of Frollo. Victor Hugo say the word carved into a wall in Notre Dame and wonder about the person who carved it. It’s a greek concept that means roughly (very, very very roughly) “Death Destiny”.

So in honor Ananke Day here’s a video of “Anarkia” from Notre Dame de Paris peformed by Daniel Lavoie (Frollo) and Bruno Pelletier (Grongoire) Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0sGpSBzuLg

Also I know I put this song as number 7 in the worst song list of Notre Dame de Paris but I really do enjoy it. So many subject changes for such a short song, I think Gringoire has ADD.

23Mar 2012

Fan-Art Friday 3/22/12

by jess

Today’s Fan-Art was created by MimiStriped. It’s base on a scene from the book where Frollo shows Esmeralda his wounds he gave himself in reaction to her being tortured. This scene is during his confession to her in Jail and it’s my favorite scene from the book. And this is a lovely rendering.

…voi che’ntrate by mimistriped

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

08Oct 2011

Minor Difference Disney VS Book plus Rant

by jess

Given how every facet of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is different from the original novel, there aren’t that many minor differences. However there a few;

Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus and Esmeralda Happy Ending Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin Reprise of Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Good Guys lives. Yeah, this isn’t a big differences. Most film adaptations let the leads live. It is interesting that Esmeralda is really only spared because she is sentence to burn instead of hanging. If she had hanged the scene would have been less dramtic. So another minor difference is all the fire imagery including Esmeralda on the stake. Also in letting the character live it takes away the theme of “Ananke” (simply meaning Death Destiny) Ananke is the word that book is based off of. However it’s only been features in like two adaptations and beside this movie is about how we “not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within” no wait that’s Beauty and the Beast…. no it’s the same in Hunchback of the Notre Dame. Stupid Disney morals ruining their movies.

Clopin with Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Bruno Pelletier as Gringoire in Notre Dame de Paris

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame sun god picture image apollo

Phoebus explaining his name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another minor difference is the lack of Gringoire. Gringoire in the book was a cowardly poet who runs off with Djali. He also acts like a story teller and the voice of author. In Disney, Gringoire is divided between Clopin and Phoebus. It’s a minor difference because when it comes to cutting characters out Gringoire is seldom cut. Phoebus is the one to get diminished over Gringoire.

Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda about to burn Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame cross eyes picture image

Phoebus cross-eyed Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

There is just so many differences between Disney and the book that to write these posts has been mind boggling. I could just have an entire blog about the differences and it would probably last a good long time. Because let’s face Disney didn’t re-tell Hugo’s story they retold the 1939 version. Then they got 18 people to collaborate on the story who may not have even seen the Charles Laughton version or read the book. This is why Esmeralda is impressed with Quasimodo’s space and not with Phoebus’ name (in the book she loved his name) , why Quasimodo builds models instead ringing his bells, and why Frollo is more obsessed with fire than Esmeralda. If you read the book and then watch the Disney you would know that this movie has very little in common with book. The only things that are correct are names and the settings. That’s it but in regards to the setting Disney may have got the place right but Notre Dame role in this movie is very much twisted.

Next Time -Disney’s Norte Dame Prison or Sanctuary?

Notre Dame of Paris Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

06Oct 2011

Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame vs Victor Hugoâ€™s Novel; Characters

by jess

In all seriousness Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame really only has the basic premise of the original novel. All the characters differ in attitudes and backstorys. The way the story unfolds and comes to its conclusion is different because of the characters.

The biggest difference is the Characters;

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney

In making Frollo a judge and not a priest we loss his turmoil which makes Frollo an interesting and complex character. I really don’t care as much about his lust and obsession for Esmeralda just because he hate Gypsies. Also in the book, his obsession occurs slowly. He sees her and is instantly taken by her youthful beauty. After that he begins stalking her and by kidnapping her he forces the the plot to take action. In the Disney movie, Quasimodo doesn’t have the some loyalty and Frollo abuses him by telling him he’s a monster and keeps him locked in the tower. In the book Frollo did no such thing and Quasimodo could leave Notre Dame if he wished.

Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo in the Disney movie is very much like Ariel. He wants to live with the normal people. He is very naive, kind and gentle. In the book, Quasimodo is kind and loyal to those who have been kind to him i.e Frollo and Esmeralda. However, Quasimodo is also angry and doesn’t really like people. He would never want to leave Notre Dame as Notre Dame is his universe. He loves Notre Dame so much that he is very much a part of it and his lovers are bells. The relationship between Quasimodo and Notre Dame is destroyed in the Disney version as Notre Dame is not so much a sanctuary but a prison. Also in the movie Disney he briefly mentions the bell but you don’t get the sense that he loves the bells. I also don’t see this Quasimodo killing Frollo in fit of rage or lying down next to Esmeralda to die.

Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Dance picture image

Esmeralda’s Dance Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is the polar opposition between Disney movie and the book. In the book she is at least part French and is young, beautiful, naive, shallow, childish and kind of dumb. In the Disney movie, while she is beautiful, she has none of the other traits, though the youth is debatable. She is confident and is in control of her sexual appeal. In the Disney version she is a full Gypsy and we are never given any sense of her backstory. In the book she was unaware of her beauty and she lacks any worldliness. This naivety is what gets her into trouble in the book and ultimately is what kills her and not a passion for social justice.

Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus in the book is a jerk who is kind of dumb and just wants to sleep with pretty girls. Also he is two-timing cheat, who despite being engaged he tries sleeps with every good-looking girl he can. In the Disney version is he is noble, moral and likes to crack bad jokes. Not like book Phoebus at all.

Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin in the book in the leader of the Court of Miracles, not the Gypsies. The Leader of the Gypsy in the book was the Duke of Egypt. Typically, the leader of the Court of Miracles and the Leader of the Gypsy get fused into one which is Clopin. That’s a minor issue. Compared to Frollo, Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Phoebus; Disney Clopin’s differences are not so bad. He tells stories like Gringoiore (a character in book) and is the leader of the Court of Miracles; he’s two characters in one, or three.

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali in the Disney movie is a pretty minor character who doesn’t do anything other than add some charm and humor. In the book however Djali is pretty essential to the plot. Djali is the prime evidence for why Esmeralda is convicted of being a witch. Goats were considered to be representational of the devil and the tricks innocence tricks Djali performed like spelling and telling the time were thought to be the work of witchcraft by the judges in the book. Of course, since the plot veers so far the book it doesn’t really matter. Djali’s main function in the movie is a cute sidekick who sells toys to children.

The Gargoyles do not count, they’re not in the book.

Gargoyles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

It really does seems like someone early in production took the cliff notes of Hugo’s book, throw them into a blender, strained, added water and poured out the Disney Plot. Then that got re-written by those people who didn’t read. And the differences in the characters in proof that.

Next time – Minor Differences,

04Oct 2011

Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame vs Victor Hugo’s Novel; Differences

by jess

Where do you begin to discuss the differences between Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame and Victor Hugo’s original novel Notre Dame de Paris? I guess it easier to discuss the similarities. They both take place in Paris, there is a hunchback who is the bell ringer of Notre Dame and a pretty gypsy girl and the main characters are attractive to her. She has a goat and is dancers. There names are the same (Quasimodo, Claude Frollo, Esmeralda, Djali, Phoebus, and Clopin) and that’s pretty much it.

Good Night everybody.