Hitchcoc Charles Laughton was an interestingly odd looking man. He usually used his physical appearance in roles of villainy. Think of Javert in "Les Miserables" and Bligh in "Mutiny on the Bounty." He was not lacking in intellect which made him much more formidable. Here, he is a man that nature has dealt a terrible blow. Despite being cruelly treated by his master and the general population, he rises above it to do acts of kindness. He is the moral compass of the movie. Esmerelda (Maureen O'Hara) is stunning as she dances and flirts. Quasimodo knows that there is no place in her heart for him, but she shows him kindness which no one else seems to have. So when it comes to having to choose to possibly give his life, he does not hesitate. Frollo (Sir Cedrick Hardwick) is a masterful villain, using the church as his means to do evil in a self serving way. If he can't have the Gypsy girl, then no one shall. The cinematography is stunning and artistic. Laughton's make-up is outstanding. Only Lon Chaney gave up more to play the role.

gavin6942 In 15th century France, a gypsy girl (Maureen O'Hara) is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bell-ringer (Charles Laughton) of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times wrote a mostly negative review of the film, finding it "little more" than "a freak show". Though he acknowledged it was "handsome enough of production and its cast is expert," he called it "almost unrelievedly brutal and without the saving grace of unreality which makes Frankenstein's horrors a little comic." Nugent has his opinion, but time has sided against him. This incarnation of "Hunchback" is now widely considered the best. And although it pains me to say that anyone could beat Lon Chaney, Laughton does a fine enough job... maybe not surpassing Chaney, but at least being a suitable replacement for this version... with sound, everything is a little more epic.

Coventry Truly beautiful, compelling and enchanting interpretation of Victor Hugo's classic tale, arguably even the greatest film-version of the story that is available! This is a masterpiece of cinema thanks to several elements forming a flawless wholesome, including mesmerizing acting performances from the ensemble cast, the impressive German expressionist influences in cinematography and several astoundingly staged sequences with large crowds of people. I'm a big admirer of Lon Chaney Sr. and have a lot of respect for his 1923 silent version of the story (especially since he performed quite a bit of dangerous acrobatics) but this film simply is more accessible, absorbing and attractive. This version truly brings the France of the 15th Century back to life; with all its progressive inventions (like the art of book printing) and the slow development of scientific wisdom (the Earth actually could be round instead of flat!). What I loved most about William Dieterle's "The Hunchback of the Notre Dame" is the magnificent cast of characters. With his incredibly performance and the stunning physical transformation he underwent, Charles Laughton's Quasimodo is definitely one of the most fascinating icons in cinematic history, but the film is chock-full of other fascinating characters as well. The genuinely gold-hearted gypsy girl Esmeralda, for example, who marries an untalented poet to prevent him from getting executed and who brings water to the publicly scandalized Quasimodo even though he abducted her. Another great character is King Louis XI. As depicted by Harry Davenport, he surely is the most appealing royal character I ever saw in a movie. King Louis is human, compassionate, upright and quite avant-garde considering his age! But the most fascinating character – apart from Quasimodo the bell ringer, of course – is , inevitable, the villain of the story. Sir Cedric Hardwicke masterfully depicts Frollo; the chief of justice and loyal counselor of the King. But Frollo falls madly in love with the gypsy woman Esmeralda and commands Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of the beautiful Notre Dame cathedral, to kidnap her. Quasimodo fails and Esmeralda is saved by the chief of guards Phoebus, with whom she falls in love, much against the will of numerous men in Paris. During a nightly encounter, Frollo stabs Phoebus to death and frames Esmeralda for the murder. She is soon sentenced to torture and death by hanging, but then several men come into action to save her. Quasimodo spectacularly rescues her from the noose and gives her sanctuary high up in the Notre Dame. Meanwhile, the king of the gypsies Clopin organizes a large-scaled mob manifestation to free Esmeralda and her poet husband Gringoire uses the new printing techniques to persuade King Louis to release her. "The Hunchback of the Notre Dame" is a visually as well as emotionally engaging experience and it is truly one of the greatest Hollywood movies ever accomplished (albeit directed by a German expressionist genius). The film was nominated for two Oscars, but should have won all of them. I guess that wasn't an option in the same year with landmarks like "The Wizard of Oz", "Gone with the Wind" and "Stagecoach" as fellow contenders. Even though this certainly doesn't qualify as a horror movie, it must be said that the make-up effects on Charles Laughton are breathtaking, and genre fans should still keep an eye open for horror veterans George Zucco and Rondo Hatton that appear in smaller supportive roles.

Uriah43 Set in 15th Century France, the people of Paris are bound by ignorance and superstition. They fear what they don't understand and react in anger towards those who are different than them. "Esmeralda" (Maureen O'Hara) is a beautiful Gypsy who yearns for justice for her people. "Quasimodo" (Charles Laughton) is a hideously deformed, dim-witted and deaf bell-ringer who resides in the Cathedral of Notre Dame and seldom ventures outside. When both of them are wrongfully accused of crimes it causes a stir among the Parisians. On the one side is the Chief Justice named "Frollo" (Cedric Hardwicke) whose cowardice for not protecting Quasimodo is exceeded only by his lust for Esmeralda. So he uses his office and his person to destroy that which he cannot have. Anyway, this film is both deep and intricate and involves issues of injustice, cruelty and class warfare. It was nominated for 2 Academy Awards and should appeal to those who enjoy good classic movies of this kind.