The_Hunchback_of_Notre_Dame_(1956_film)

⭐ Core Definition: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (in French Notre-Dame de Paris) is a 1956 French-Italian CinemaScope drama horror film version of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, directed by Jean Delannoy and produced by Raymond Hakim and Robert Hakim. It stars American actor Anthony Quinn and Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida. The film is the first version of the novel to be made in color.

In the tradition of many sword and sandal spectacles, Quinn and Lollobrigida are the only two actors in the film who actually speak in English; the rest of the cast is made up of French actors who have had their voices dubbed into English. In the French version both Quinn and Lollobrigida speak French.

↓ Menu

👉 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of Quasimodo

Quasimodo (/ˌkwɒzɪˈmoʊdoʊ/ KWOZ-im-OH-doh, UK also /ˌkwɔːz-/ KWAWZ-; from Quasimodo Sunday) is the titular protagonist of the French novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) by Victor Hugo. Born with numerous deformities, most notably a hunched back, Quasimodo serves as the bell-ringer for Notre Dame cathedral in fifteenth century Paris. Although his appearance causes others to treat him cruelly, he ultimately finds sanctuary in an unlikely love that is fulfilled only in death.

The role of Quasimodo has been played by many actors in film adaptations, including Lon Chaney (1923), Charles Laughton (1939), Anthony Quinn (1956), and Anthony Hopkins (1982). In addition, he was voiced by Tom Hulce in a Disney animated feature (1996); was parodied by Steve Lemme in the comedy Quasi (2023); and most recently was portrayed by Angelo Del Vecchio in a revival of the French-language musical Notre Dame de Paris.

↓ Explore More Topics

In this Dossier

⭐ Core Definition: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film)
👉 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of Quasimodo
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French: Notre-Dame de Paris, lit. 'Our Lady of Paris', originally titled Notre-Dame de Paris. 1482) is a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The title refers to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which features prominently throughout the novel. It focuses on the unfortunate story of Quasimodo, the Romani street dancer Esmeralda, and Quasimodo's guardian the Archdeacon Claude Frollo in 15th-century Paris. All its elements—the Renaissance setting, impossible love affairs and marginalised characters—make the work a model of the literary themes of Romanticism.

The novel is considered a classic of French literature and has been adapted repeatedly for film, stage and television. Some prominent examples include a 1923 silent film with Lon Chaney, a 1939 sound film with Charles Laughton, a 1956 film with Anthony Quinn, and a 1996 Disney animated film with Tom Hulce.

↑ Return to Menu

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of "Quasimodo"

Play Trivia Questions online!

Skip to study material about The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of "Quasimodo"

⭐ Core Definition: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film)

👉 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of Quasimodo

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956 film) in the context of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame