Clopin | The Hunchblog of Notre Dame

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.

Cast Poster of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Hunchback of Notre Dame Character Illustration by Francois Joseph Aime De Lemud

No Seriously next time we’ll go through the major differences.

Click here to buy the Disney Movie Poster

30Sep 2011

Fan-art Friday

by jess

Today offering is by GilJimbo, This based off a chapter from the Book called The Broken Pitcher

Clopin by GilJimbo

28Sep 2011

Hunchback of Notre Dame Score

by jess

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Let’s us now concluded the musical portion of Hunchback with probably the strongest aspect of it; Alan Menken’s Score. The Hunchback of Notre Dame has one of the best score that Disney has ever produced. Menken was inspired by Mozart’s Requiem Mass and there a lot of dark tonalities to the Music which in conclude Latin chanting which add to the gothic nature of tone to the movie. When I say Gothic I referring to the building of Notre Dame and not the genre of the Victor Hugo’s book. The score also has a lot of Leitmotifs (referring to a recurring theme associated with a particular person, place, or idea.)

Quasimodo during Out There Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda singing God Help the Outcast Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo = Out There, Frollo =Hellfire, Phoebus has this march that is heard a lot when ever he appears on the screen, and Esmeralda = God Help The Outcasts. Clopin doesn’t seem to get one because he is always singing. You can hear the song tune throughout the movie. Track 4 Humiliation has the tunes of Out There and God help the Outcast.

: Quasimodo declares Sanctuary for Esmeralda

So while the songs are pretty hit and miss, the score is strong. My Favorite track is defiantly Sanctuary!, it over the top and dramatic. Plus I’m a fan of Latin choir, it maybe a cliche but they really do make everything sound much more epic

Next time a slight Rant and Plea to Disney

24Sep 2011

HUnchback’s Deleted Songs

by jess

As Long as there’s a moon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

In a Place of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So there were two Deleted Songs in Hunchback of Notre Dame; As Long as there’s a Moon and In a Place of Miracles. Both songs were love songs for Phoebus and Esmeralda, and occurs right before Frollo arrested anyone. It was an awkward place for the songs as it’s like “Hey Frollo is coming” “Oh no but first a love song”, it just didn’t work. The other problem is that the directors felt that a love song for Phoebus and Esmeralda took any the Quasimodo-ness from the movie, yada yada yada the directors loved Quasimodo as the focus and no else. As result no love songs.

In a Place of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

As Long as there’s a moon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Both deleted songs were meh, In a Place of Miracle was a duet between Phoebus and Esmeralda and As Long as there’s a moon featured Clopin sining and followed a scene from the book. They’re average songs that were awkwardly placed.

As Long as there’s a moon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

In a Place of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

I prefer As Long as there a moon more than In Place of Miracles but then agian Clopin the best human character. I also kind of like that they didn’t have a love song however maybe the addition of love song for Phoebus and Esmeralda would have made fans believe their romance instead of just thinking Esmeralda was shallow in not choosing Esmeralda.

In a Place of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

As Long as there’s a moon Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next Time – ?

21Sep 2011

Einmal Someday â€“ The Music of the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame

by jess

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

Einmal (or Once) was performed in the German musical of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame; Der Glöckner von Notre Dame. The German musical took the Disney film and made it darker and more like the book. A lot of Songs were added including Einmal (Someday.)

Ruby Rosales as Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Judy Weiss as Esmeralda with Frollo (Norbert Lamla) Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Einmal is performed after Frollo gives Esmeralda his ultimatum in jail. Esmeralda considers taking it if only to save Phoebus. Phoebus tells her she should do it for her, so she can live. Esmeralda say she doesn’t consider a life with Frollo living. She then sings about how she hopes the world will learn after countless war and bloodshed to live and not to hate.

Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

Einmal hits a bit more to core without gentle lyrics in the hope for peace. It less sweet and vague than Someday. I don’t want to get too much into Einmal since Der Glöckner von Notre Dame’s review day is coming.

However I do like that this song is performed as Esmeralda’s dying wish, it gives the song even more power. It also gives it a very different feeling than “God help the Outcast” and lets Someday stand on its own instead of just being a replacement song.

Judy Weiss as Esmeralda singing Einmal Der Glöckner von Notre Dame

I understand why it’s not in the movie even with the placement of where Einmal is in Der Glöckner von Notre Dame. If it had been place in a Jail scene it would have taken away the drama of the execution scene plus the music used in that scene in the movie is awesome.

Plus another Esmeralda scene without Quasimodo would have made the audience forget all about Quasimodo (or so the directors thought.)

Next Time – The Demo version of Someday from the Movie

Someday Demo Reel Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

18Sep 2011

Eternal Someday â€“ The Music of the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame

by jess

Eternal Someday Cover Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The credit roll version of Someday on the UK release of Hunchback of Notre was performed by Eternal. Eternal is another R&B group from the 90s. Their redition has more convention instrumental. Again this song has that 90s twinge to it, that is hard to over look. Again they have that classic 90 vocalization. However it’s well sung and like All 4 one, it’s a heartfelt performance. Eternal’s Redition is less gentle than All 4 One and has more power in the vocals.

Eternal Someday Cover Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The biggest problem with it, is the video. They re-create the Feast of Fools complete with jugglers and a Clopin double. However this just doesn’t work. Someday is a heartfelt song about a hope for the betterment of humanity, so why am I seeing a cheap renaissance fair in the background. Also I don’t think their costume fit in with the whole Ren thing either. When I think of early Renaissance/Late Medieval, I don’t think of blue jump suit but to each their own. I’m also not a big fan of the hard cut of film. So good cover, bad video.

Eternal Someday Cover Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next Time –Einmal (Someday from the German musical)

Der Glockner von notre Dame German Musical of Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

11Sep 2011

The Music of the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame â€“ The Reprise of The Bells of Notre Dame

by jess

Quasimodo accepted by the people Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney picture image

Quasimodo accepted by the people Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

After Frollo dies, the hellish lava goes away and the masses are happy. This is when Quasimodo, the lovable abet not too pretty hero emerges from the darkness and silence of Notre Dame to be greeted with the acceptance of the people. Why is he now welcome? I think for saving Esmeralda and saying “No” to Frollo. It’s not for killing Frollo, Notre Dame and Frollo’s haste took care of that.

Clopin, Frollo Puppet, and Girl Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

So as Quasimodo is being cheered, Clopin reprises the Bells of Notre Dame. Just in case you’re a complete moron the movie clearly shows the audience who the Monster was, the Frollo puppet. To think this whole time I just thought it was Frollo, Twist ending here; it was the Puppet! The man was Quasimodo, no surprise there.

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

If you like Bells of Notre Dame, you’ll like the Reprise. It is sung well by Clopin (as to be expected now from Paul Kandal). It’s a bit repetitive though, not sure how times the word “Bells” is uttered but it’s a lot. The lyrics are also a little strange;

“Whatever their pitch, you
Can Feel the bewitch you
The rich and ritual knell‘

The True Villain, The Puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre dame

Big Marie, The Lead Bell Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

He saying that the Ringing Bells have an effect of people. So was it the bells that made Frollo crazy with lust? I mean it says the Bells bewitch. Quasimodo did ring the bells right before Hellfire, and you only see him doing it once in the movie. So the Bells were the Frollo puppet accomplice. Of course, it all makes sense. The Puppet couldn’t stand that Frollo had all the power, so he harnessed the ancient Deus ex Machina power of the Bells to make Frollo crazy which would led to his death by Notre Dame, of course! I figured you out, movie. This makes the Bells and the Frollo Puppet the heroes and villains. TouchÃ© Disney, I didn’t know you were so complicated. Truly this twist rivals M. Night Shyamalan.

Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Gargoyles - Victor, Hugo and Laverne at the end Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Djali, Esmeralda, and Phoebus Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

On an unrelated note, the song is a good ending, you get a curtain call: Quasimodo is happy to be “out there” “in the sun” with the “ordinary men.” The Gargoyles are happy that the people now love “a guy like” Quasimodo. Esmeralda is happy because Notre Dame (Mary) “helped the outcasts”. Phoebus is happy because his ex boss is dead and he has a hot new girlfriend. Djali and Clopin are happy because the sanction of street performers had lifted with Frollo’s death and now they donâ€˜t have to pay the Busker Tax. The only person who isn’t happy in all this is the Old Heretic, he fell into a sewer and was never to heard from again. They say on quiet nights you can heard an old man saying “Dang it.”

The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Final Shot Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Beauty and the Beast Ending Shot Stained Glass Disney

Genie page Peel, Final shot Aladdin Disney

Since the film ends with the same song as it began with, it’s only that it ends with a pull away though the sky above the Notre Dame. It’s appropriate yet a little cheesy but it’s better that ending on a stain glass window that show all the main characters, a la Beauty and the Beast or a stupid page peel by the Genie in Aladdin. Though it would be funny to have the Genie pop up in random Disney Movies saying “made you look” at the end.

Next Time – Someday, the Credit song and Delated Song.

A Picture from the demo reel of Someday Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

09Sep 2011

The Music of the Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame – Court of Miracles

by jess

Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

After some build up to the The Court Of Miracles, towards the end of movie we’re finally introduced to it via song. Phoebus and Quasimodo find it in through a grave that lends into the old catacombs. They go to warn they that Frollo is coming, however in going there they unknowingly lead Frollo there. The song is sung by Clopin, who is the leader. He’s backed by a good portion of the court.

Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The song is Clopin and crew basic telling what the Court of Miracles is, why it’s called that and that their going to die from intruding. This scene is taken from the book when Gringoire (not in the movie but his characterization is merged with Clopin and Phoebus) stumbles into the Court of Miracles). Unlike the book, Phoebus and Quasimodo aren’t married off as means of getting off the hook, (though in a deleted song Phoebus and Esmeralda do get married). Instead Esmeralda spoils Clopin’s fun.

The Blind Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The song is fun. It shows off Clopin’s personality as he delights in tormenting Quasimodo and Phoebus. The song is split into two parts the introduction to the truth of Court of Miracles; where scum of Paris collect. The Miracles reference to beggars faking ailments, like the lame walking and the blind being able to see. The second part is reason for the Court of Miracles: a safe haven for the nomads. Since the court are not Frollophiles, they seem more than happy to Phoebus, Captain of the Guard and Quasimodo, Frollo’s lackey, hang. This is the part of that is a little more fun as Clopin is tormenting Phoebus and Quasimodo as he about to hang them. He dress like a lawyer and a Judge ( Frollo), he also takes out his puppet clopin, and finally say that they are innocent but they are going to hang anyway.

Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin and Phoebus Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The real difference between the two parts is the fist part is in the dark spooky catacombs, where they are piles of bones and members of the Court are dressed like skeletons. This part is dark with a greenish undertone. The second part which is in the safe-haven, has a warm feel, bright lighting and colorful fabrics everywhere. It’s interesting to note that historical the Cour des miracles (Court of Miracles) were the slums of Paris not catacombs. But I guess the slum would have been easy for Frollo to find and it more intriguing as a concept, living in the scary catacombs.

Clopin coplay as Frollo while tormenting Phoebus and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin coplaying as Frollo overruling his puppet Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The song is fun and well sung by Paul Kandel. When I was a kid I didn’t really care for it but now it’s in the top tier for me in Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Clopin Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next time – Bells of Notre Dame Reprise

25Aug 2011

The Music of the Disneyâ€™s Hunchback of Notre Dame â€“ Topsy Turvy

by jess

Topsy Turvy follows in the path of the big show stopping music numbers of Disney. Other songs like this included (but not limited to) Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid), Be Our Guest (Beauty and the Beast) and A Friend Like Me ( Aladdin). Unlike these, Topsy Turvy is not a show stopper, it doesn’t stop the movie for the sake of a spectacle, but instead Topsy Turvy propels the plot forward.

Clopin during the Feast of Fools Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

There is a lot that happens within the course of the song with regards to story telling. The festive starts and Quasimodo gets caught in the swing of it, Quasimodo meets Esmeralda, Esmeralda dances getting the attention of Quasimodo, Phoebus and Frollo, the King of Fools contest starts, and Quasimodo is crown the king. There so much that happens that the song is broken up into four part essentually. These parts are well connected and the last portation with Quasimodo as the King of Fools features a keynote change to denote the ending of the song.

Clopin Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback Notre Dame

Quasimodo Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Dance picture image

Esmeralda's Dance Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

As far as the song is concerned it’s fun. It’s very celbratory, the lyrics are clever and Paul Kandel does well singing it. It’s the only Disney song to use a word meaning prostitutes. The line “Join the bums and theives and strumpets,” a strumpets is an old fashion word for a prostitute or a harlot. Kind of intresting that the only Dinsey song to use a word for prostitute would also feature a pole dance.

Reversal Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo reacting to the craziness Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Topsy Turvy CG Crowd Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The visuals help make this song memorable. There lots of reversals to help keep the momentum going and the fun up. This visually also give Quasimodo something to react to and since he is seeing all this craziness for the first time, Quasimodo acts as the audience in this song. There is a cast of thousand. The crowds were made using CG and at the time were a feat but the crowd in movie hasn’t aged well.

Clopin Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback Notre Dame

The song has several reference that harken back to Victor Hugo’s Novel. First the lyrics mention the date a being January 6, which is the day the Feast of Fools took place on. Of course the movie doesn’t seem to take place in winter, then again it could just be unseasonably warm.

Esmeralda's Dance Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Another Reference is Clopin referring to Esmeralda as “La Esmeralda”. Esmeralda in the book is very often referenced to with the article “La.”

Shock the Priest Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The last reference and probably the most interesting. Is on the line “shock the priest” Clopin is holding a Frollo puppet. This is a clear reference to Frollo being a priest in the book.

Quasimodo as the King of Fools Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The song itself is fine, it big and fun but it’s not my favorite. I would position this song in the middle of the ranking however I can understand why many would like it, it’s a fun song that adds to the movie and alludes to the book very appropriately.

Next Song – God Help the Outcast

Esmeralda Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame singing "God Help the Outcast" picture image

Esmeralda singing "God Help the Outcast" Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

16Aug 2011

The Music of the Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame – The Bells of Notre Dame

by jess

Clopin Bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Clopin with puppet during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Bells of Notre Dame is the opening to the movie. Click Here to get The Bells Of Notre Dame

http://youtu.be/Tv4W0VkoUfM

The Opening Shot of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame

Paris Bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Paris during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Bells of Notre Dame starts off like The 1939 version, very appropriately with Bells and Latin choir (unlike the 1939 version). The bells grow in intensity till the title screen goes away and the opening scene starts and the melody of the refrain from Hellfire is heard. From this you get a major sense of drama before you see a single person. Then tone turns gentle and quite, then intense, then more intense. This song is like a roller coaster.

Clopin with Puppet bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Clopin with Puppet during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo Bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Bells of Notre Dame does a few things for the movie, it introduces three main character, showcases Notre Dame’s importance as the setting of the film and explains the relationship between Quasimodo and Frollo. Disney had a bit of the problem with nature of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, Frollo isn’t the colossal jerk he is in the Book. He takes Quasimodo in after being moved by empathy for him, not by getting scared by a Statue and the Archdeacon because he murder an innocent women in front of the most important spiritual centers in France and fears hell that takes the baby of his victim as an act of contrition. But Disney villains are never ones for charitable act so Frollo is co-forced into looking after Quasimodo. The Bells of Notre Dame also presents the viewers with the moral of the story, “what makes a monster and what makes a man”.

Frollo chases Quasimodo's mother during The Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo's Mother Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

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

The Song also sets up the tone of the movie. Disney boosts that Hunchback is their darkest film, and yes it is, but it is after all a Disney film and there is a lot of “humor” in it. The Bells of Notre Dame present both facets, the humor, light-hearted Disney Flair and the darker aspects. The dark aspect are easy to see, the backstory, Frollo kills a women, tries to kill a baby and saddled into raising it. The humor comes from Clopin regaling the children with his puppet (love the Clopin Puppet). But even Clopin here is delighting in the dark dramatics of the story.

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

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

But is the song itself successful? Yes, yes it. I would so that it’s one of the best song in the movie right up there with Hellfire. It’s dramatic, epic, and grand. Unlike Hellfire which has a benefits of being more focused, Bells of Notre Dame has to fulfill it’s purpose and has a lot of ground to cover musically. It’s starts with a Latin choir, goes into a more gentle tone and the gets darker as the Gypsies are introduced along with Frollo, The Choir returns but more intense as Frollo chases Quasimodo’s mother. There are so many vignettes in this song that it could have been a mess but it’s handle musically very well and the music intensifies the dramatics of the action.

Frollo in fear for his soul Bells Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo in fear for his soul during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Sees all Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo and Baby Quasimodo bells Disney Hunch back of Notre Dame picture image

Frollo and Baby Quasimodo during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunch back of Notre Dame

Originally this wasn’t even going to be a song, it was going to be spoken dialogue. I’m glad they made it into a song because it’s one of the better songs in the movie. It was the perfect way for the movie to start. Your given a tone, setting, characters, motivation, drama, and some light humor. I would say it’s one the best Disney’s openings. Seriously, Clopin’s crescendo at the end is amazing, it’s probably the single greatest bit of singing in the movie, maybe even Disney History.