Disney's The Hunchback Of Notre Dame [DVD]

I loved this series when I was a kid. I. M so glad that I found it again on dvd and I still like it to this day

Very good

A classic tale brought to life by the magic of Disney and a fantastic musical score, "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" is one of those rare jewels that combines a cracking storyline with a great cast ranging from Tony Jay's wonderfully creepy portrayal of Judge Claude Frollo to Paul Kandel's wonderfully funny (and even a little spooky) performance as Clopin, the colourfully, clownishly dressed gypsy leader. Tom Hulce breathes life into the sensitive and downtrodden Quasimodo, Kevin Kline provides a manful approach as the gallant Captain Phoebus and Demi Moore proves a point as the feisty, yet kindly gypsy dancer Esmeralda. The music is nothing short of breathtaking, particularly the Latin chant added to the ever thrilling "Bells of Notre Dame" sequence somewhere in the beginning of the film; a theme that is also repeated in "Hellfire" and during the climactic battle before the walls of the cathedral itself; it has to remind you that it centres around religion and Quasimodo's instinct to preserve the dignity and significance of the church. It also shows that some people who are disabled can actually be pretty damn clever, and can, with a touch of courage stand up for themselves. I love Quasimodo's relationship with Esmeralda despite it not being romantic, for it is, at its heart, a loving friendship, and as much as Frollo despises her, firstly for simply being a gypsy, and secondly, a supposed witch, I think she is great. I thoroughly recommend this film; it is absolutely thrilling and the songs are simply stunning, and you end up rooting for Quasimodo in the end. Be ready to cry buckets though; there are a good number of scenes that are powerful, stirring and deeply moving, which I will not name, but whenever they come up I just have to cry; this proves just how brilliant this movie is. This film, for a Disney film, is just phenomenal, and you do not get better than old school Disney on this level every day.

The film is by all means breathtaking. I liked it when I was younger. In my later years this has become my favourite Disney film. Although not true to Victor Hugo's book, the animation is superb and Alan Menken's score is incredible. Even though I am 21 and some would argue too old to be watching disney films, the Movie alone deserves five stars. It is one of disney's darkest films but probably all the more enjoyable for adults because of it. I don't imagine it being a favourite of younger children as some of it is genuingly quite scary. It was a book never meant to be made into a children's film and maybe it doesn't always translate well.There is no way disney could have made it faithful to the book without getting an 18 rating. If you can forget this and take the film as a stand-alone piece, it is fantastic.I had to rate it four stars mostly because of the lack of bonus features. Being only one disc it lacks where several other films make up. The making of feature is not half as long nor as informative as I would have hoped. It does do a piece on the missing song someday which was a lovely addition.Disney do know how to release their movies with love and care and to me this release seemed rushed and half finished. It was originally planned in 2002 as a two-disc release but disney backed out soon after with this single disc version. No doubt to leave material for a later two disc release. According to sources a Platinum addition is expected 2013, giving the film all the attention it deserves. But if you can't wait four years this one will tide you over.If you are just interested in the film then buy it because it is undoubtedly one of Disney's masterpieces.

Although none have truly embraced the full scope of Victor Hugo's sweeping novel (although the 1956 version comes close), there's never been a bad version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Disney's 1996 version is one of the very best. It has its flaws, but it's still the studio's last great animated feature, with a visual audacity and a surprising darkness that's often breathtaking. It may opt for an even happier ending than usual, but there's plenty of real dramatic power here. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz's mostly excellent score may have the odd crowd-pleaser that lowers the tone a tad, but there's a striking and powerful grandeur of ambition to many of them - after all, who'd have expected a Disney villain to sing of his tortured sexual desire (Heaven's Light/Hellfire) and of his burning need to either sleep with the heroine or kill her? The computer enhanced crowd scenes and the sweeping three-dimensional camerawork are amazing to see, the design is superb and there's an intelligent use of colour and weather that the studio's subsequent efforts seemed to lose. Only the wiseacre gargoyle sidekicks feel out of place, although the film at least discreetly suggests that they are mere figments of Quasimodo's imagination. One of the most impressive of Disney's animated features, and certainly the most undervalued.Although far from the excellent laserdisc special edition Disney released in the US several years ago, there are a few decent extras on the UK disc, including an alternate song and some interesting demo footage of the computer animation techniques. The Blu-ray release, typically for titles Disney regards as disappointments, is much more hreadbare: a half hour making of eaturette from the film's original release that isn't included on the DVD and a multi-language reel (though the US Blu-ray also includes an audio commentary and the direct-to-video sequel).