Hunchback of Notre Dame

Directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale. From the Victor Hugo epic novel, first published in 1831. Starring: the voices of Tom Hulce (Quasimodo), Demi Moore (Esmeralda, speaking), Kevin Kline (Phoebus), Tony Jay (Frollo), Paul Kandel (Clopin), Charles Kimbrough (Victor), Jason Alexander (Hugo), Mary Wickes (Laverne), and David Ogden Stiers (Arch Deacon). 86 min. Songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French: Notre-Dame de Paris, "Our Lady of Paris") is a novel by Victor Hugo published in 1831. The French title refers to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, around which the story is centered.

he tale of Quasimodo, the lonely outsider who longs to be out in the world beyond his belltower. Defying the orders of his evil surrogate father, Minister of Justice Frollo, the frightened hunchback journeys into the streets of medieval Paris where he meets and falls in love with a beautiful gypsy girl named Esmeralda. He also befriends Phoebus, Captain of the King's guards. Although heartbroken when he discovers Phoebus and Esmeralda's love for each other, Quasimodo ultimately risks everything to bring them together. Quasimodo's selfless love overcomes both his own heartache and Frollo's obsessive hatred of Esmeralda. Along the way, Quasimodo finds support and friendship from the cathedral's trio of comic gargoyles: Victor, Hugo, and Laverne.

he film had its premiere on June 19, 1996, at the Superdome in New Orleans, utilizing six enormous screens, and was preceded by a parade through the French Quarter. The song "Someday" was sung over the credits by the group All-4-One, but the European version replaced them with the British band Eternal.

Tags: hunchback of notre dame,