Customer Reviews

Hunchback [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A surprisingly moving treatment from the Turner Network movie factory. The Hunchback features commanding performances from Harris, Patinkin, and Hayek along with superb sets and literate direction. Neither sentimental overkill nor dry exercise, the film is content to tell the allegorical tale of the "partly made" Quasimodo with sincerity and assurance. If not strictly faithful to the original book, it makes up for it with the engaging performances and the production values. I will note that it can br grim going in places; the viewer is not spared the brutality inherent in the story, but this adds to the film's poignancy. If you missed this on its original TV broadcast, treat yourself to this video (and how about a DVD release?).

If you have seen the Disney movie of the same "storyline" and then you refuse to watch the TNT version which actually holds true to the "beautiful story" then you need to get a grip, because this is perhaps one of the greatest Tour-de-force portrayals of a character I have ever seen. Patinkin gives a performance that is enough to make you cry within the opening minutes of the film. With great back-ups by Harris and Hayek, this movie(which apparently, No One on Earth saw when it was on TV) is an EXCELLENT adaptation. Kudos to TNT for producing this. They are making some high-quality films these days and I had to scoff at the Cable Ace awards when Mandy was not even nominated... SHEESH!

This movie is one of the best adaptations of Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris. The story offers a brand new vision of the book : the pathetic transition between Middle Ages and Renaissance, the end of Quasimodo as a single human gargoyle (he is very fine and clever), Esmeralda is delicious, Frollo is wonderful just like the other characters. I believe it is a very good success and it is really worth to be seen !

It's hard to imagine two more different interpretations of the same source material.

"The Hunchback," made for television, isn't entirely true to the novel by Victor Hugo, but it's a poignant, passionate interpretation that boasts a trio of incredible performances. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," made to sell lunchboxes and action figures, dismisses the novel entirely, sacrificing the power of the story for a package of cute, cuddly and happy.

The story deals with the misshapen bellringer of a 15th-century Parisian cathedral, a beautiful gypsy dancer and the fallen church leader who desires her. Often depicted as a horror, it is truly a tragedy of magnificent proportions.

Mandy Patinkin is the focal point of "The Hunchback." The handsome actor and singer is entirely hidden behind his grotesque makeup, but the heartbreaking level of emotion Patinkin pours through his mask and putty is astonishing to see.

Emotions dance to the beat of Patinkin's drum as we share his sheer joy at being crowned King of the Fools during a city celebration; the acclaim of the crowd is in part mocking, but that doesn't stop Quasimodo from wringing pure delight from a moment's brief acceptance. Then try to keep a dry eye as the hunchback is whipped for a crime he didn't commit; there is shock and betrayal more than pain here, and a desperate cry for water ... but it's his genuine smile when he sees his master, followed by utter misery when his master turns away, that really twists the heartstrings.

Don't expect even a hint of Patinkin's magical voice in this movie. It is buried deep beneath the tortured croak of the hunchback. His makeup, which entirely transforms the actor's head and body, is excellent.

Richard Harris supplies brooding presence as Dom Frollo, the conflicted archdeacon whose faith is severely tested -- and fails. Not evil, he is not as good as he once believed, and his argument for the banning of printed books is just plain scary. Harris's Frollo takes no joy from life, and by movie's end you'll find yourself pitying, not hating, this misguided villain.

Salma Hayek is both sultry and compassionate as Esmeralda, the dancing gypsy who inflames just about every male she meets. The object of Frollo's dark lust, she is also loved by Quasimodo, to whom she was kind, and activist/orator Gringoire (Edward Atterton). (The subplot between Esmeralda and Phoebus, captain of the guard, is dropped for brevity in this version.)

While the conclusion is somewhat lighter than Hugo's, it remains plenty dark. Hunchback is an emotional rollercoaster, and it's a shame Patinkin didn't receive the kudos for this effort that he deserved. This should be a classic, and I hope the powers that be release it soon on DVD.

Now, the cartoon. First, let me say that I'm typically a fan of Disney animation (to my wife's eternal chagrin and my children's delight), but I still cast a fairly critical eye of the cartoon mogul's interpretation of classic material. While I don't mind a certain degree of revisionism (and I even liked the happy-ending retelling of "The Little Mermaid"), this takes it just a bit -- OK, a lot -- too far.

Sure, Quasimodo is still deformed, but now he's cute, too. His tortured voice has been replaced by the dulcet tones of actor Tom Hulce (Amadeus). Disney's Quasimodo is an acrobat of Olympics-caliber skill, with strength that exceeds any conventional weightlifter. And, far from being a lonely, isolated creature at the top of the belltower, he now has a close circle of friends; they may be stone gargoyles (silly and slapsticky, voiced by Jason Alexander, Charles Kimbrough and Mary Wickes), but that doesn't stop them from being chatty and supportive, and even from helping Quasi repel the king's men who seek to recapture Esmeralda.

Esmeralda, voiced by Demi Moore, is now a high-spirited trickster and a poster girl for feminism in medieval France. (My wife takes particular exception to her sensual pole dance at the Festival of Fools; this is, after all, a kids' flick.)

Frollo is now a civic judge with armies at his disposal; perhaps Disney balked at making a man of the church the film's villain. And, far from tormented and torn between right and wrong, this Frollo (Tony Jay) is outright evil, malicious and wearing a constant sneer. Phoebus, the captain of the guard with a conscience and the hots for Esmeralda, rounds out the cast; expertly voiced by Kevin Klein, his dry wit is the source for most of the movie's genuine laughs.

Visually, the movie boasts some stunning vistas. The architecture of Paris, particularly the cathedral itself, is dramatic, rich and highly detailed -- although the awesome spectacle of molten lead pouring from the cathedral like Niagara Falls becomes laughable when you realize this vast quantity of hot death comes from a single boiling pot.

The music, seeking to equal the heights of a Broadway or London stage production, reaches too high. There's nothing memorable here, a far cry from earlier Disney soundtracks.

And, while there is certainly an obvious message of acceptance for young viewers, the movie works too hard to come up with a happy ending that must have left the late Victor Hugo writhing in his grave.

At the final tally, Disney's version is OK, so far as animated, watered-down classics set to music go, but for a stirring look at the wretched face and gentle soul of the hunchback, Mandy Patinkin has it down pat.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(net) editor

I am truly proud to be one of the few lucky ones who have watched this majestic depiction of one of the greatest novels ever written . The cast were simply brilliant-especially stunning was Patinkin's performance of the sweet-natured but woefully deformed and ill-fated hunchback .Dramatic,powerful and profoundly melancholic, it is as if the part was spacially written for him . Salma hyek captivating beauty and erotic performance and Richard Harris's gripping performance and medieval looks did much to enhance our viewing pleasure .A must-see classic!

If you are a Salma Hayek fan, you will know why the Priest went crazy when he saw her dance. I believe that she is the very best Esmeralda that I have ever seen. The movie is worth getting just for Salma. Although I still like the classic ending, it was interesting to give this classic a modern wrinkle to keep us wondering. Salma outstanding beauty clearly demonstated in this film, shows why she is rated as the most beautiful woman in the world by me and others and the fourth most beautiful in general. I wish it was in DVD!

This was a wonderful movie. I am look forword to the DVD when it come out. The acting was great. One of the best movies in a long time.

Mandy Patinkin, is one of the most under rated actors in America today. He was brillinat as the Hunchback, bringing new insight into the tortured life of Quasimodo.

Yes, this version of The Hunchback takes liberties with the original story, but put that aside and you find incredibly deep and moving performances. Die-hard Hunchback fans will gripe about the changes to the story line, but those who just like a good film will love it. I think I'll watch it again tonight.

I saw this movie when it originally aired and loved it. The acting and storytelling are very well done. I searched for this film on DVD for years and it finally came. Don't waste money on the silly cartoon and get this movie. Even as a kid, I would have preferred this version to Disney. Lon Chaney, Charles Laughton, and Mandy Pantinkin are all great in this role.