Henry Cavill
After watching The Tudors
Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon from The Tudors
Plus he was born in Jersey which is where Victor Hugo himself lived from 1852-1855. yeah it’s like providential and what not.
Henry Cavill
What do you think? Would Cavill make a good Phoebus?
Henry Cavill as Superman, Man of Steel
Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) with a cat, 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Quasimodo – One of the Hallmarks of any good Hunchback of Notre Dame version is how Quasimodo’s look. It’s important to his character. The 1956 version tried to humanize his looks and it didn’t work, at all.
He hardly has any deformity and he’s not a hunchback, Quinn just slouches, so he’s a slouch-back. Did they forget his hunch? Anyway. His over-all costume is tan and green. It fits in with scope of the other designs of the movie but it’s too neat and clean for a recluse bell-ringer.
Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo – Frollo’s costume from a design stand point is simple, he wears black, the end. Mess that up and you have an very incompetent costume designer.Of course ideally he wears a back hooded robe.
And this version got all those elements. There is some more design inserted into the costume but it doesn’t distract. He has wide sleeves typically called “poet sleeves.” He also has seams that give his robe a padded look. He also sports a cape which gives a dramatic flair.
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Gringoire – Gringoire, like Quasimodo wears green and tan. His doublet has puffed sleeves that extend into a false sleeve which gives of top-heaviness which was fashionable at the time. He also has the same padding like seams that Frollo has on his costume.
Jean Danet as Phoebus,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Phoebus– Since Phoebus is rich and a soldier he get a few costume changes. He gets soldier suit and two civilian looks. However these looks are quite similar. All of his looks have sparkles which I’m sure is an anachronism. His costume also use richer fabrics than the other characters but the cut is identical to Gringoire’s costume.
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Fleur de Lys– Fleur wears a light blue gown with a veiled hennin (the princess pointy hat), which was the fashion in the 15th century. Her style of dress is very on point with what women wore then, it has a high waistline and a v-neckline. Her gown is detailed with fur and appliques. Though appliques are yet an anachronism.
Philippe Clay as Clopin, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Clopin – Being as he poses a beggar, Clopin wears tan and rougher fabrics. Unlike Quasimodo and Gringoire, his clothing are ragged. He also is typically seen wearing a cloth cap that matches his tan tunic.
Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) giving flowers to Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Overall, while the costumes in this movie are not to exciting they more or less work within the scope of a medieval movie. However they don’t stand out as being amazing. The worse thing about the costumes in this movie is the lack of effort on Quasimodo’s make-up. Even if you are going to humanize Quasimodo’s looks, he still NEEDS A HUNCH!
Next 1956 Article – The Sets
Set of Notre Dame from the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Fleur de Lys in the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame doesn’t have a big part, in fact she has a very small part as she in only in one scene and is only discussed in another. So she appears less in this movie than she does in the 1923 version. So why is she getting her own post?
Because I think she might be the most interesting and complex character in this movie. Which is a little sad.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
At first glance, Fleur de Lys might be consider a bitch. She baits Phoebus into recognizing Esmeralda and then orders him to make her leave the public square to prove that he loves her. Of course he uses that chance to arrange a meeting with Esmeralda so the joke is on Fleur de Lys.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
In her brief scene we know a few things about her, she loves Phoebus but is insecure and masks it but acting haughty, which I think is relatable. This also makes it believable when her mother says that she was deeply hurt by Phoebus‘ wanton behavior but that she also longs to see him. She is self-realized enough to know she is jealous but instead of letting it consume her, she confronts Phoebus. This make her not passive . Though her affections for Phoebus are a bit naive as she does believe that he chased Esmeralda as proof of his love and not used it as arranging a meeting.
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Perhaps being surrounded by characters that are less than 3-dimensional makes her seems more relatable and interesting than she is meant to be. Though maybe the beauty of her characterization is that she is only one scene so the film couldn’t muddle it. However for me she is most likable and the most real character in the movie.
Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Next 1956 Article – The other characters that are there
Maurice Sarfati as Jehan, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Jean Danet as Phoebus,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Phoebus is a character that can fulfill many different niches. He can be a jerk or the love interest pending on the direction the version is taking.
The 1956 version of Phoebus is different, he is a sort of jerk but he does in fact care.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
We first see Phoebus when he rescues Esmeralda from Quasimodo. He is, naturally, instantly attractive to her and proceeds to take her to an inn. After he pays for the room Esmeralda runs off. This really doesn’t bother him all that much. The owner of the inn says that Esmeralda is too beautiful and wild which is the kind of woman Phoebus always dreamed of.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
So it would seem that maybe Phoebus and Esmeralda could have worked out in this version if things had gone differently. I mean, yeah, he is engaged to Fleur de Lys and he seems to like her enough. But Phoebus does tell Quasimodo that he wished he could have saved Esmeralda. So he does care for Esmeralda even if he is going to be with Fleur de Lys.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Danielle Dumont as Fleur de Lys, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
I could be reading into this a little too much or maybe I’m giving this Phoebus too much credit but it seems to me that Phoebus might have chosen Esmeralda and merely just settled for Fleur de Lys. I think if that was made more apparent in the film it would have given Phoebus a bit more pathos which makes sense as this movie has Anankh has its basis.
Plus it would make the audience connect more to him. However as it stands, two lines makes Phoebus a deeper and more interesting character than Esmeralda, Quasimodo and Frollo which is sad but still two lines isn’t enough make him sympathetic.
Jean Danet as Phoebus & Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda,1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
Next Article on the 1956 version: Gringoire
Robert Hirsch as Gringoire, 1956 Hunchback of Notre dame
I was reading an article on Moviefone about Movie monsters and love. The article looks at The Beast, King Kong, The Phantom, The Wolf Man, Teen Wolf, Gill-Man, Swamp Thing, Shrek, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Twilight boys and of course Disney’s Quasimodo.
Esmeralda, Phoebus and Quaismodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The write-up on Quasimodo and Esmeralda is basically the same old complaints with zero on incite to what the movie was trying to do.
Esmeralda and Quaismodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The articles implies that Esmeralda is not in love with Quasimodo because he is ugly. I think that if Quasimodo was in fact good-looking or normal looking but had the same personally she still would not be in love him. She treats him like a child. She supports, him and wants him to succeed but while she like his kindness she doesn’t find it a turn on. Esmeralda seems to like confidence, dry wit and kindness. Quasi doesn’t have have the first two traits at all.
Phoebus explaining his name Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Article also calls Phoebus vain? What? How do you figure? Is it because he say’s his name mean “Sun God?” Because he sounded more self-mocking than egoistical.
Quasimodo accepts Esmeralda and Phoebus as a couple Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
But I find it amazing that the general public are so quick to bring up the fact that Esmeralda does not fall in love with Quasimodo. The movie does several things which I have mentioned over and over (read here) to get the audience on the couple’s side. They share their first scene together, the have the snarky Disney couple trope, they have the same personality, they treat each like people not angels or devils, their animals have the same coloration. What else can this movie do? Did Quasimodo have to marry them? Because he did that but it was cut from the movie. He did join their hands and looks happy for them.
Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre dame
I don’t want to say this movie is subtle but when it comes to getting that Esmeralda and Phoebus are perfect for each other, people either are in denial or really do just perceive Esmeralda as shallow when she doesn’t actually do anything really shallow except fall in love with a guy that is like herself. But perhaps the main reason for people’s general denial of acceptance of this couple is because many people can relate to the protagonist and in him getting the girl it gives us the viewers hope that we too can reach our goals.
Quaismodo Bells of Notre dame reprise Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
However I will point that Quasimodo’s main goal was to be accepted by society which he was in the end. His mission from the start was to spend a day outside without fear not to fall in love. One could make the point that his goal changed when he met Esmeralda but it really just seemed that his attachment got twisted into love by the gargoyles and an overall love of love. He was never really in love with Esmeralda he was in love with a perception of her based on that it was his time talking to a female and she was nice to him. His affection for her was not a deep love it was a strong friendship.
Esmeralda and Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
I’m sorry to rant like this but it just so annoying that people complain about this so much.
Some background; When I was sorting out the pictures from the Asian Tour I decided to make a sexy/romantic folder which I put into folder 20. It’s an accident that this folder coincides with Valentine’s day, but it seems appropriate doesn’t it?
Still from the Crocus City performances in Moscow.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Without a doubt this is Esmeralda’s movie. This is made very clear by her 3 minute long dance scene that only cuts away to Frollo staring at her but you can still see her in a reflection. Many consider the 1956 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame Esmeralda to be one of the best Esmeraldas. Many feel she has the right look, grace and free-spirited nature that Esmeralda should have. I personally have a few issues with this version of Esmeralda.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) dances, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
First off, I feel like I’m being lied to with this Esmeralda.What she says and how she acts feel in opposition to how she looks and her mannerisms. I feel like this Esmeralda was written to be played by a young actress but then Gina Lollobridga was cast and the sensuality was turn up.
Lollobridga reads too mature and sultry but then she tries to act innocence and carefree. I don’t believe her when she says that she “has never known men before.” I don’t buy it.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Although I admit, my issue with Esmeralda’s duality could be because of her costume. Color aside, her two main costumes age her. I will get to costumes in a later post so I won’t so into too much detail but I feel the veil, the very define corset waistline and the 1950’s cat eye age her.
She looks far more believable as a young women when she in the simple prisoner shift at the end of the movie.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Since Esmeralda is the main focus of this movie you would think that the dynamic between Esmeralda and Frollo would be really strong but Esmeralda and Frollo don’t really have many interactions with each other in this movie.
Esmeralda admits that she afraid of him but she seems to be more uncomfortable around him which robs the would-be drama from their interactions. It fact there scene are a pretty dull.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
I think the dance scene sums up her character in this movie perfectly. She is aloof, mysterious, very sensual and slightly exuberant. I mean her personality is there I’m just not sure if it’s the costume, Lollobridga’s mannerism or her natural sex appeal that holds back this Esmeralda as being a great depiction of the character.
Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame
Next 1956 Article – Quasimodo
Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo
I have playing League of Legends recently. So here are some the game’s champions as Quasimodo, Frollo, Phoebus and Esmeralda in the Belle pose from Notre Dame de Paris.
League of Legend Champions in the Belle set up
Quasimodo – Yorick (he’s a hunchback)
Frollo – Swain (he’s old looking)
Phoebus – Garen (he’s a knight)
Esmeralda – Sona (she a musician who actually make other champion dance)