The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Classics Illustrated

Just as Disney is being attacked by lame-brained Christian groups for their benign attitude toward their homosexual employees, they release this powerful new animated version of Hugo’s tale that features a recoded plot.

The hero is a tortured member of several oppressed minority groups who sings of going “Out There”. The villain is an incredibly hypocritical public figure who preaches morality while dishing out hatred and hiding guilt and self-loathing. He becomes frustrated to the breaking point as his church tolerantly protects those he seeks to murder – as usual, those self-proclaimed God’s Warriors who shout the loudest are also those least in touch with the messages in their Bibles.

This is Disney’s most adult movie ever, and also one of their best, with animation and direction that pays tribute to their past achievements (it begins with a zoom similar to that in Pinocchio, there’s a scene recalling The Old Mill) while breaking new ground at the same time. The story combines several of the best elements of all previous versions – while the songs aren’t so hot, many scenes play out like an operetta. It’s a visually stunning work that had chills running up my spine. Good voice work by Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Tony Jay, and Jason Alexander.

The weak link would have to be in the casting of Tom Hulce as Quasimodo. His voice is too boyish and soft – I would’ve preferred richer, uglier sounds coming from the hunchback’s throat. But bravo to Disney for sticking to their guns and fighting back for once.

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