‘Hunchback’ Is Able To Entertain While Exploring Complex Themes

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame

For as long as I can remember, Disney has been preaching simple morals to their huge audiences in simple ways. Sure, that’s the way to reach 6-year-olds, but not anybody much older than that.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” however, changes that.

“Hunchback,” the movie, is much like George Orwell’s book “Animal Farm,” in that both can be appreciated on several levels. On the most basic level, “Hunchback” is a great children’s story with the inevitable happy ending.

But there are several deeper themes to be found in this film. For instance, in the first scene of the movie, antagonist Judge Frollo is said to “see corruption everywhere but within.” Talk about a timeless statement! Just look at any of the presidential administrations. That single line has more meaning than most entire movies I’ve seen lately.

The conflict of the “Hunchback” is as follows: Frollo wants to capture and kill Esmeralda, a beautiful Gypsy girl who is not only loved by Quasimodo, the hunchback, but also by Frollo’s captain of the guard. This creates, obviously, another problem.

That is just about as complex as the plot gets, so the rest of this film is devoted to developing the various characters.

We find that Frollo is torn since he thinks he also loves Esmeralda, a feeling that doesn’t quite mesh with his good Christian values. There is an incredible scene where Frollo confronts his feelings in the church itself, with brilliant and breathtaking animation reminiscent of “Fantasia.”

Also through the Frollo character, Disney introduces a new star. Tony Jay, providing the voice and subsequent singing voice of the judge, is fabulous. He manages to steal the scenes intended to focus on Quasimodo. Not an easy task for someone who has to act using nothing but his voice.

The obvious moral of “Hunchback” is to not judge a book by its cover - the ugly Quasimodo is the hero of the film.

But the film also shows how hypocritical humans can be. All through the film , we watch Frollo order his men to kill innocent people and unnecessarily destroy sacred property, all to bring justice to a so-called “sinner.”

Last, but not least, I must speak of the score. Beyond the All-4-One song that will be on the Top Ten for the next six months, “Hunchback” has an exceptional orchestral score that sends a chill up your spine over and over again. If you’re not going to see the movie, at least buy the soundtrack. It’s worth it.

If you have an aversion to Disney films only because of their over-simplification of complex themes, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” may be for you. It truly does cater to all audiences. Just remember to go with an open mind - you might leave a better person for it.

Grade: A