Belita William

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This movie is closest to the book,a beautiful,and historical production,great 14th century Paris feel..Good cast,Anthony Quinn is more human than monster,portrays Quasimodo,the Bell Ringer of Notre Dame well..a man hated and feared because of his ugliness, deformity and great physical strength, He is able to save, Esmeralda the Gypsy from hanging(Who is accused of trying to kill a Captain ,she is in love with,but actually committed by Claude Frollo,the jealous Archdeacon) and defend Notre Dame Cathedral,against attacking Vagabonds, singlehandedly. (Quinn is believable,having played a strong man in "La Strada") Gina Lollobridgida is wonderful as the beautiful Gipsy ,who is the object of lust,from Claude Frollo the austere and tortured Archdeacon,played by Alain Cuny. Frollo is Quasimodo's adoptive Father,who saved him from death as a child.Frollo, plans to kill Esmersalda,(to end his obssesion with her) and orders Quasimodo to abduct her,but he is apprehended by the Captain ,Phoebus and his army. Later,Quasimodo is flogged at the pillory for punishment,but Esmeralda has pity on him giving him water to drink. Quasimodo never forgets her kindness and falls in love with her..Jehan,Frollo,Claude's younger ,bratty brother is included in this movie ,but excluded in other movies.He comes to a tragic end at the hands of Quasimodo,who thinks Jehan is out to hurt Esmeralda. The loyalty to Frollo and the love of Esmeralda clashes in Quasimodos heart. When it is discovered that Frollo is responsible for Esmeraldas death,he kills Frollo throwing him from the Towers of Notre Dame. The ending is a sad one,as Victor Hugo wrote it ..Quasimodo laying beside The deceased Esmeralda and dying from heart break while holding her... This is changed in most other movies to a happy ending. except for the Warren Clark version ,where Esmeralda is hung. .Great movie of this timeless Novel,I give it 5 stars! (Filmed twice,one in French and one in English..French version much better..