Jean Delannoy’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the lavishly produced French production of Victor Hugo’s famous novel, is not as powerful as the first Hollywood version, made in 1939 with Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara.
Anthony Quinn plays the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo, emphasizing the physicality of his character, but failing to convey the emotional and tragic dimensions of the part.
Gina Lollobrigida, gorgeous to look at but not o to listen to, is the gypsy dancing girl Esmerelda, whose friendship with Quasimodo motivates the story.
Running Time: 124 min.
Directed by Jean Delannoy
Written by Jacques Prevert
DVD: Sep 2, 2003
