Gerry Sundquist | The Hunchblog of Notre Dame

20Aug 2013

Lovestruck Real Guy; The 1982 Version of Gringoire

by jess

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Essentially, the 1982 Gringoire function the same of he does in the 1939 movie as the lovestruck poet who falls in love with Esmeralda and is desperate to save her. However the 1982 Gringoire employs different means than his 1939 counterpart to save her. The 1982 Gringoire doesn’t use words and the printing press to save Esmeralda. Instead he uses a speech. He also suggests to Frollo that he could switch places with Esmeralda and that he will be willing to die in her place. This was in the book except it was Frollo that suggested the idea and Gringoire rejected it.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

The 1982 Gringoire has some new facets to the characters. First we see Gringoire trying to sell some sonnets. I think this is the first and only time we see him doing this. he also is the only Gringoire to write a poem for Esmeralda. He is also the first and only Gringoire to get very jealous at Esmeralda’s adoration for Phoebus.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Aside from these instances of character the 82 Gringoire is very much like 1939 version. However, the 1982 version of Gringoire feels more like a real person. The 1939 version was a bit too nice and perfect. He doesn’t seem as in control the same way as the1939 version. This one gets jealous and petty in regards to Phoebus and his utter desperation to save Esmeralda while really expecting nothing makes him compelling.

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Is it the 1982 version of Gringoire greatest bestest Gringoire ever? No but it’s not an offensive depiction and it’s solid which consider most adaptation of the story is a very good thing (having flashbacks to Enchanted Tales version of Gringoire).

Next 1982 version Article; Jerky Jerk Phoebus

Robert Powell as Phoebus, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

13Aug 2013

80 Stylin’ Quasimodo; The 1982 Version

by jess

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo and Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

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.

Next 1982 Article

Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

23Jul 2013

Plotting at the Plot of the 1982 Hunchback

by jess

Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Pretty much the 1982 version follows the 1939 model of how to tell this story. However the 1982 version doesn’t dive into social commentary the same way. The blight of Gypsies is not an issue and Esmeralda doesn’t concern herself social inequality. Esmeralda’s main concerns are not getting arrested, marrying Phoebus and keeping Frollo off of her.

Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda & Derek Jacobi as Frollo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Derek Jacobi as Frollo & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Frollo is also different than his 1939 incarnation. For one thing, in the 1982 version he is a priest and has no younger brother. Also he is a little more forward, instead of staring at her he basically tries to get with Esmeralda in the first 20 minutes. He went right to lust. But this version has a decent jail scene so point in its favor. Although I would point out that having Frollo bring Esmeralda into Notre Dame after she gets arrested for dancing and then trying to seduce her robs a bit from the jail scene when Esmeralda asks why he hates her. Esmeralda in the book was scared of Frollo and Frollo’s interaction with her was very limited to no existent. In this movie he is not really acting hateful toward Esmeralda. He acting confused and desperate but he was acting fairly nice toward till he tried touch her and she ran off. So Esmerald questioning him was tad on the unnecessary side.

Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda & Gerry Sundquist as Gringoire, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Since the social concerns are not presence in this movie Gringoire has little else to do but moon over Esmeralda, although like in 1939 version he and Esmeralda do fall in love and leave together at the end.

The Death of Frollo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Speaking of the end, Quasimodo kills Frollo in self- defense by impaling him on a nail. This…..this ……is not cool movie. While I get that the self-defense angle, impaling Frollo on a nail is A) stupid and anti-climactic and B) having Frollo fall from Notre Dame is a powerful metaphor. My guess the reason why Frollo dies in this manner is the budget but still shame.

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo is pretty much the same from 1939 version, Hopkins plays him very sympathetic but it works.

David Suchet as Clopin, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Clopin is not fun in this version, He is very conniving. He is not to concern about anything other than survival.

Robert Powell as Phoebus & Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus is depicted as huge womanizing jerk who is married in this version. Another strange addition to this version is Frollo offering to buy Esmeralda from Gringoire.

Lesley-Anne Down as Esmeralda & Derek Jacobi as Frollo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

This version plays the story out pretty conventionally. It doesn’t make too many big annoying changes to the plot. The changes they make are small and mostly the impact the characters.

So let’s dive deeper into those characters, let’s start with the heart and soul of the movie; Frollo

Derek Jacobi as Frollo, 1982 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Tag Archives: Gerry Sundquist

Lovestruck Real Guy; The 1982 Version of Gringoire

80 Stylin’ Quasimodo; The 1982 Version

Plotting at the Plot of the 1982 Hunchback