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The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
1923
This silent film is the first screen version of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. Chaney plays the deformed bell-ringer who is smitten by a beautiful dancing girl persecuted by the wicked Bishop of Notre Dame. Read more
| Starring | Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Ernest Torrence, Raymond Hatton |
|---|---|
| Director | Wallace Worsley |
| Genres | Horror |
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The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
This silent film is the first screen version of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. Chaney plays the deformed bell-ringer who is smitten by a beautiful dancing girl persecuted by the wicked Bishop of Notre Dame.
| Starring | Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Ernest Torrence, Raymond Hatton, Norman Kerry, Kate Lester, Winifred Bryson |
|---|---|
| Director | Wallace Worsley |
| Studio | DARK VISION |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 33 mins Watch now: 1 hr 30 mins |
| Certificate | DVD: , Watch Online: |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 22 Apr 2002 Watch now: 22 May 2009 Production year: 1923 |
| Watch now | Subscribe and watch this as part of an unlimited package. |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Chaney's first big-budget film, and the one which made his reputation. Laden down with massive sets and milling extras,... read more on Time Out
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Victorian gothic version with a riveting star performance.
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Most helpful member's review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Thoroughly enjoyed!
I have to admit to having a crush on Lon Chaney ever since seeing him play two brothers, one a priest, one a thief, in The Blackbird (1926). He was without make-up for a change and gorgeous as both men, especially the villain!
Not so in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, though I won't let this colour my view! Wearing a heavy hump on his back rendering him knock-kneed, a thick thatch of matted hair atop his head, a ping- pong ball for a right eye and a tongue darting in and out between a double row of broken crockery teeth (to express his disdain for his derisive fellow men) Lon Chaney presents an unforgettable sight!
His only friends, the gargoyles (an excellent copy of the originals) and the charming gypsy girl, Esmerelda. She dances so sweetly with her tambourine, no wonder everbody loves her! The re-creation of medieval Paris is superb and the cathedral facade remains sturdy as the hunchback descends from the bell tower using the replica statues as footholds and grips.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this film although the characters didn't quite provoke the feelings of compassion as in the 1939 remake with Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara. I cried the last time I saw that movie!
Footnote: Isn't it wierd that Lon Chaney only made one talkie (The Unholy Three 1930), then shortly afterwards died of a throat hemorrhage. Even stranger coupled with the fact that both his parents were deaf mutes! -
Most recent members' review
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Thoroughly enjoyed!
I have to admit to having a crush on Lon Chaney ever since seeing him play two brothers, one a priest, one a thief, in The Blackbird (1926). He was without make-up for a change and gorgeous as both men, especially the villain!
Not so in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, though I won't let this colour my view! Wearing a heavy hump on his back rendering him knock-kneed, a thick thatch of matted hair atop his head, a ping- pong ball for a right eye and a tongue darting in and out between a double row of broken crockery teeth (to express his disdain for his derisive fellow men) Lon Chaney presents an unforgettable sight!
His only friends, the gargoyles (an excellent copy of the originals) and the charming gypsy girl, Esmerelda. She dances so sweetly with her tambourine, no wonder everbody loves her! The re-creation of medieval Paris is superb and the cathedral facade remains sturdy as the hunchback descends from the bell tower using the replica statues as footholds and grips.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this film although the characters didn't quite provoke the feelings of compassion as in the 1939 remake with Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara. I cried the last time I saw that movie!
Footnote: Isn't it wierd that Lon Chaney only made one talkie (The Unholy Three 1930), then shortly afterwards died of a throat hemorrhage. Even stranger coupled with the fact that both his parents were deaf mutes! -
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This silent film is the first screen version of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel. Chaney plays the deformed bell-ringer who is smitten by a beautiful dancing girl persecuted by the wicked Bishop of Notre ... -