The Hunchback of Notre Dame /

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1939 American monochrome film. It is considered by some reviewers to be the best of the many film versions of Victor Hugo's classic novel. This film is perhaps the one that sticks closest to Hugo's plot and intention, although the ending differs. Esmeralda and Quasimodo remain alive at the end, unlike the novel, in which both die. Phoebus, who is only wounded by Frollo in the novel, is killed by him in this film version; therefore, Esmeralda is arrested and sentenced to hang for murder, not attempted murder. Later, at the end of the film, she is found not guilty of murder and is free from hanging. She leaves with Gringoire and a huge crowd out of the public square. Quasimodo appears at the upper balcony of the cathedral where he sees them leave, saying to the gargoyles, "Why was I not made of stone, like thee?". The film also makes it clear that Gringoire truly loves Esmeralda, and that she eventually comes to love him too, whereas in the novel she merely tolerates him. Atmospheric direction, and stark yet lavish sets, combine with the fine performances to create a very notable film. The film later strongly influenced the 1996 animated version of