January 6 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982)

Today’s movie is a period drama with a scene that happens on January 6. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

THE HUNCHBACK  OF NORE DAME

Deformed Quasimodo is left as a foundling at the Cathedral of Notre Dame and is adopted by Claude Frollo, archdeacon of the cathedral. Years later on the day of the Festival of Fools, January 6, 1482 [3:30 – 34:34] Claude falls for the gypsy girl, Esmeralda. He offers her sanctuary after she is arrested, but with the ulterior motive of making her his mistress. She flees and is chased by Quasimodo at Claude’s orders. She is saved by Phoebus, captain of the kings guard and Quasimodo is arrested for assaulting him. Pierre Gringoire, a poet is brought before the king of thieves for violating their laws and it is only when Esmeralda claims him as her husband that he is spared hanging. The next day Quasimodo is pilloried, but when he begs for water, only Esmeralda has pity on him and gives him some.  Esmeralda arranges a meeting with Phoebus, that Claude learns of. He goes there and assaults Phoebus. Esmeralda is arrested for his murder. She is tortured into confessing her guilt, convicted and sentenced to hang. Claude again tries to blackmail her into agreeing to become is mistress. Quasimodo snatches her off the gallows and carries her into the cathedral, claiming sanctuary.  A decree is passed to break sanctuary, but Pierre persuades the thieves to attack, but Quasimodo thinks they are trying to attack Esmeralda and attacks them. Quasimodo kills Claude. Pierre sneaks in and leaves with Esmeralda through a secret passage. Quasimodo, trapped, commits suicide.  

Directors - Michael Tuchner and Alan Hume

Producers - Norman Rosemont and Malcolm J. Christopher

Screenplay - John Gay

Released -  February 4,  1982

Runtime – 1 hour 40 minutes

Starring –

Lesley-Anne Down as Esméralda

Anthony Hopkins as Quasimodo

Derek Jacobi as Claude Frollo

David Suchet as Clopin Trouillefou

Gerry Sundquist as Pierre Gringoire

Tim Pigott-Smith as Phillipe

John Gielgud as Jacques Charmolue

Robert Powell as Captain Phoebus

Nigel Hawthorne as Magistrate at Esmeralda's trial

Roland Culver as Bishop of Paris

Rosalie Crutchley as Simone

David Kelly as Tavernkeeper

Dave Hill as Coppenhole

Donald Eccles as Judge

Timothy Bateson as Commerce

Jack Klaff as Officer

Kenny Baker as Pick Pocket

Stanley Lebor as Torturer

Norman Lumsden as King's Attorney

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2015.