The Hunchblog of Notre Dame

12Jul 2011

Deeper look at the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 8; Minor Characters – Brute and Oaf

by jess

Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The main characters of Disney’s Hunchback don’t give us much indication of how “normal” people of Paris conduct themselves. Quasimodo is a forced shut-in, Frollo essentially King, Esmeralda and Clopin are outcasts, and Phoebus, well he just comes off too perfect to really be associated with “normal people”. So which characters represent as Frollo put it “the common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd”? That would be the two guards that are seen throughout the movie. They are credited as the Brutish Guard (voiced by Corey Burton) and the Oafish Guard (voiced Bill Fagerbakke aka Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants ). I’m just going to call them as Brute and Oaf.

Esmeralda, Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf shooing nobody Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Brute and Oaf shooing away nobody Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

We first see Brute and Oaf harassing Esmeralda because she’s a Gypsy and judging by all the gold in her hat, she is probably better paid then them. Anyway they try to assert their authority but then became submissive when Phoebus out ranks them. They are quite stupid, they shoo away people to show Phoebus to the Palace of Justice, but when viewed from behind you can hear them still shooing people but there is no there. These guy are all talk and no action, Djali can take them with very little effort.

Brute and Oaf up to no good Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf trying to crowd surf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf are the main cause for the getting the plot moving. Yes, it’s all them. If wasn’t for them, Quaismodo would have been King of Fools without incident and Frollo would just have been mad at him. But because Oaf throw a tomato (where did he even get that) it sets the chain of events into motion. The Crowd throws food at Quasimodo then ties him down, Frollo refuses to help, Esmeralda helps Quasimodo, Frollo gets mad at her, she defies him and hello chase scene and obsession. Thank you Oaf and Brute for being common, vulgar, weak, and licentious and getting the plot in motion.

Djali takes out Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute with Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Brute and Oaf Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So Brute and Oaf represent the common people, they promote distrust in authority figures for Esmeralda, cause the plot to take off but that not it. They also provide some humor. Brute provides Achilles with a sit and oaf provides some amusement being an oaf and all. Plus Oaf’s voice sounds comedic (Patrick from Spongebob). But don’t count on them in a pinch – storming a certain cathedral – they’re no help at all.

Brute and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Oaf and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Basically Brute and Oaf are glorified extras but they do something for the plot unlike some glorified extras that are memroable but do nothing for the plot, just add humor.

Next Time- a memorable old chap who “enjoys” a running gag (well not really).

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Follow thehunchblog

09Jul 2011

New Squidoo Lens; Actors/Singers who had played Frollo in Notre Dame de Paris

by jess

I made a new lens (yay) this is a lens dedicated to Frollos of Notre Dame de Paris throughout the different version. Hopefully I will do the rest of the cast of characters from Notre Dame de Paris but these lens just so time consuming and hard to do that it be a while before I’m ready to tackle the next one (which will probably be Quasimodo).

Daniel Lavoie as Frollo Notre Dame de Paris

http://www.squidoo.com/frollo-of-notre-dame-de-paris

Enjoy and don’t forget to check out my other Squidoo Lenses on the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Follow thehunchblog

07Jul 2011

Deeper look at the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 8; Minor Characters; Quasimodoâ€™s mother

by jess

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another Minor/major Characters is Quasimodo’s nameless mother (voiced by Mary Kay Bergman). She’s not in the film long but she’s quite important.

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Very little is know about her other than she’s a Gypsy, she wants to live in Paris, and she tries to keep Quasimodo away from Frollo. In trying to protect Quasimodo from Frollo she brought them together. Frollo then uses her as a way to manipulate Quasimodo in to remaining loyal to him. Frollo would tell Quasimodo that his “heartless” mother abandoned him as a baby. This keeps Quasimodo grateful and loyal to Frollo. It’s not till Frollo tries to kill Quasimodo that Frollo tells him the truth.

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo’s mother raises a lot of question . We know she’s a gypsy and she’s a mother, but Quasimodo looks (coloration wise) nothing like her. Was she his biological mother or she did adopt him? Or maybe (like in the sequel) boy-children look like their fathers and nothing like their mothers? And would that mean that the man with Quasimodo’s mother was not her husband/lover? My guess given her looks and her interaction with the Gypsy guy is that he was her husband and that they did adopt Quasimodo.

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Kicking Quasimodo's mother Disney picture image

Frollo killing Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo's Mother's Death Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Murder of Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney used the death of Quasimodo’s mother to reinforce the point that they read the book. Quasimodo’s mother dies the same way Esmeralda’s mother does in the novel. Spoiler’s— Esmeralda’s mother, Sister Gudule (Paquette Guybertaut a.k.a La Chantefleurie) dies trying to save Esmeralda from the gallows and is push to the pavement, hits her end and dies. In the book Sister Gudule prayed for 15 years to have her child returned to her if only for an instant, classic case of be careful what you wish for. She and Esmeralda were reunited for only a few hours.

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So Quasimodo’s mother is a very important element to the story as she helps establishes Frollo and Quasimodo relationship and she reinforces it by Frollo being a lying and manipulate jerk (but he’s the best Disney villain so kudos to you Frollo on every terrible thing you do).

Next Time; Those guards, you know the ones

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda dealing with soldiers Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Follow thehunchblog

05Jul 2011

Deeper look at the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 8; Minor Characters- Archdeacon

by jess

If it wasn’t for the the Archdeacon of Notre Dame (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) the movie would have ended with Frollo throwing baby Quasimodo into to the well of most certain Doom. After Frollo killed Quasimodo’s mother, (because he didn’t know how people hold babies), the Archdeacon used fear to manipulate Frollo into making amends for murdering somebody outside the cathedral. The Archedeacon basically says that Notre Dame saw what he did so make amends and raise the child. Frollo in fear for his soul decided to take care of Quasimodo so long as Quasimodo lives in Notre Dame.

Frollo killing Quasimodo's Mother

The Murder of Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame seeing Quasimodo for the 1st time picture imageDisney

Frollo seeing Quasimodo for the 1st time Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Well Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Archdeacon Eyes Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Sees all Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Archdeacon is in control in Notre Dame and has sway over Frollo but only in Notre Dame that is till Frollo goes batshit crazy pushes him down the stair towards the end.

Archdeacon and Frollo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Archdeacon Fall Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Archdeacon is also the voice of reason and tries to help Esmeralda by sticking up for her and giving her advice(caution). He also tries to help before she is almost burned (he pops his head out of the cathedral but is stopped).

Archdeacon and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Archdeacon Stopped Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Archdeacon doesn’t do lot in the film but he is a big part of the Frollo and Quaismodo’s relationship which is a major plot point, so for him it quality over quantity. If he’s in a scene, you know there is damn good reason for it.

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Disney version is the last time that the role of Frollo (the lusty guy ) and the Archdeacon role have been separtated into two different characters. Will it be the last time? On ne sais jamais (one never knows)

Next Time – Quasimodo’s Mother

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Follow thehunchblog

04Jul 2011

Hunchback Stuff By HunchStore (that’s Me)

by jess

So you may or may not know that in addition to my Blog and Squidoo Lenses, I have a Zazzle Store and I’ve started make Hunchback related items as well as other stuff. But since this is Hunchback Blog I’m Going to share the hunchback with you instead of just throwing the in my Hunchblog Zazzle pag, but there is more Hunchback stuff on there so be sure to check it.
Here are my items so far…

Esmeralda Illustrated Tote by Hunchstore
See other Esmeralda Bags

Esmeralda Textile Mug by Hunchstore
View other Esmeralda Mugs

Bohemienne T-shirt by Hunchstore
Browse Zazzle for another teezazzle.com

New items are in works and be sure check out my humble Zazzle store here .

Follow thehunchblog

02Jul 2011

Notre Dame de Paris and Ranma 1/2 AMV

by jess

As I mentioned before I edit videos ( it’s a Hobby). Typically I make Anime Music Videos (AMV). In early 2010, My Sister and I made an AMV using Ranma 1/2 to Dechire from Notre Dame de Paris. What do you need to know to fully enjoy this? Well the guy featured in this video believes that the two girls are in love with him but they’re not, they hate him.

Please enjoy ^_^

Follow thehunchblog

01Jul 2011

Deeper look at the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 7: Animals – The Epic Conclusion

by jess

So a little bit more on Achilles and Djali— yeah there is more, go fig….

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Djali and Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali and Achilles rock as sidekicks, adding humor and charm to the movie. However as I was working on analyzing Djali and Achilles I noticed that their function in the movie goes deeper than just being awesome and fun sidekicks. The key element into this function is that both of the have the same coloration. They’re both white and gray, but they’re gray in the same places. Their muzzle, legs, tails, and hair. I think this maybe overlooked by many viewers because Djali and Achilles only appear on screen once together and Djali dancing so it’s hard to make that connection.

Djali and Achilles Same look Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So what does it matter that Djali and Achilles look alike? Well I think this is one more way that the production tries to reinforce Esmeralda and Phoebus as “the” couple. It’s not enough that they see each other first, that they have the same personality, that they are pretty much counterparts in every way but now they animals links them together. It’s pretty funny that the movie works this hard to tell its’ audience that Phoebus and Esmeralda are made for each other and some viewers still malign Esmeralda for being shallow because she fell in love with Phoebus instead of Quasimodo.

Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next Time – Memorable/Important Side Characters

First to bat The Archdeacon of Notre Dame…..mmmmm I wonder if his offical title is the same as Frollo’s in the novel????

Archdeacon Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Archdeacon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Follow thehunchblog

29Jun 2011

Deeper look at the Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 7: Animals continuation – Djali

by jess

If Achilles gets one of the most concentrated laughs in the movie, then Djali gets more laughs spread out through the movie. Djali is a mascot type of character for the film like other cute animal Disney side-kicks. The up side is that Djali was not created for the film but came out the source material.

Djali is Esmeralda’s pet goat. Djali helps her make money and reminds of her not to leave money when she about to run off.

Part of Djali’s function is to be Esmeralda’s double. In the book this meant that Djali was dainty, pretty, and talented with gilded hooves and horn and was white.

Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Djali flips Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

In the Disney movie Djali is grayish white with black hooves and an earring. The earring is meant to link Djali and Esmeralda. Like the book, I think Disney’s Djali is also a double for Esmeralda. In DVD commentary, they discussed that the reason why they cast Demi Moore as Esmeralda is because they wanted the heroine to have a rougher quality to the the voice, that sounded like (and I’m quoting this from commentary, I’m not making this up) like “she had been around.” Not saying that I think Djali has been “around” but Djali is not the dainty, delicate goat she is in the book. So I think Disney’s version fits Esmeralda’s aesthetic more in this movie.

Djali also has another functions than being Esmeralda’s better half. Djali is her security system.

Djali is distrustful of anyone Esmeralda meets (Phoebus and Quasimodo included). Djali also bleats when someone is approaching them (Frollo or guards).

DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre dame picture image — DJali as a old man Dinsey Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also aids Esmeralda in her old beggar disguise. This enables her to go undetected by Frollo and the stupid guards .

Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image — Djali in gut Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali also kicks ass in a fight. More than a few times Djali springs into action

So what makes Djali a great character? Djali provides levity without hindering the movie (like Achilles). Djali reacts to things in the movie and does not inject the movie with randomness to try to make a joke like the Gargoyles.

Another aspect of Djali that is charming which is a good attribute for a mascot character. All of Djali emotions and thoughts are always showed on his (her) face.

Djali started off in the Disney movie as a minor character but do to the animation done by Ron Husband (Commentary, got love them) the executives demanded more Djali and so the screen time was double.

Djali is called a “him” throughout the movie and Hugo has a thing for Djali (Hugo being gay is a sensitive issue with Disney). My guess is this is a case of male pronoun default. Djali’s sex mattered in the book because Hugo(the author) wanted to communicate that Djali is Esmeralda’s double, so Djali is a female goat. In the Disney’s version, it doesn’t really matter so the default male pronouns are used. (Remember this movie came out in 1996)

Next time – a little bit more on Achilles and Djali (there is something more alike about these two)

Follow thehunchblog

28Jun 2011

The Hunchblog on Facebook

by jess

I just created a Hunchblog of Notre Dame page on Facebook,

The HunchBlog of Notre Dame

Quasimodo Clapping

Follow thehunchblog

27Jun 2011

Deeper look at the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame Characters part 7: Animals – Achilles

by jess

Next – Achilles and Djali

So where the Gargoyles fail to add levity, Djali and Achilles succeeded and they don’t even speak. Let’s start with Achilles. Why? Because we see Achilles first, his name is comes first and there less to say about him

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles is Phoebus‘ war horse. According to the DVD commentary, the directors jokingly said that Achilles is Phillippe’s (Beauty and the Beast) dimwitted cousin. Both Disney horses were animated by Russ Edmonds.

Achilles with Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phillippe from Beauty and the Beast Disney

Achilles being a war horse takes excellent direction, he sits on command regardless of who he might sit on. But fear not Achilles never crushes anyone to death, just for comedy.

Sit command Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles the Set up Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles' Butt Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles Sitting Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Achilles is mosly white and he adds to Phoebus’ perfect knightly look, but he also has grey legs, snout, mane and tail. Mmmm his look is awfully similar to another character…..

Achilles and Snowball Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

One thing that is not commonly know about Achilles is that he hates Frollo’s horse, Snowball ( not sure if it Snowball 1 or 2).

Achilles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The command regarding Achilles to sit, according to the commentary was the big laugh during the trailers. Achilles may not have done much and may have been relegate to an accessory but he almost as much laughs than the supposed comic relief even with his limited screen time. If wasn’t for the Gargoyles’ dress/tress line I think the Sit gag would have been the big laugh of the film and that’s only because grown-up heard tress and kids heard dress, so it’s two jokes.

Frollo's nose is long and he wears a tress/dress Disney Hunhcback of Notre Dame

Achilles Heeling Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Fun Fact- Achilles name was chosen just so they good do the “Achilles Heel” joke.

Next Time Djali -Hooray

Disney Djali from Hunchback of Notre Dame

Follow thehunchblog

« Previous 1 … 167 168 169 170 171 172 Next »

Post Navigation