The Hunchback of Notre Dame

By Don Barrie

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is the 34th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Productions.

The story is adapted from the 1831 classic French novel by Victor Hugo (author of "Les Mis‚rables"). It has been produced as a live-action feature twice before, as straightforward drama-suspense films: once as a silent movie in 1923, and again in a classic 1939 version. Unlike the previous versions, this film is a full-fledged musical.

The main character and hero of the story is Quasimodo (a derogatory name given him by his evil adoptive father, Judge Claude Follo, meaning "half-formed"). Quasimodo is a man with physical deformities who is imprisoned in the bell tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The story traces his early, troubled beginnings following the murder of his gypsy parents, and how he later leaves his oppressive living conditions to become integrated into everyday society.

Like all great stories, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is relevant even today. It addresses a timely message of the need for tolerance towards people with disabilities, as exemplified by Quasimodo.

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" may be one of Disney’s darkest films to date because, like the original Victor Hugo novel, it is a "gothic" tale. There are some disturbing scenes that might frighten some young children, but this should not deter families from taking them to see it. In fact, it may be one of the best reasons for seeing this movie. By watching this film, young, developing children will come to understand that people with physical differences or disabilities should be treated the same as any other person. This understanding will enable children to avoid prejudice against people with disabilities.

Some of the more disturbing scenes include Quasimodo’s public humiliation when he is mocked by the people at the Festival of Fools, and his confrontations with Follo, who further exploits him as a "freak" and "monster."

Of course, like all Disney films, there are engaging co-leads (the gypsy girl, Esmerelda, and Phoebus, the Captain of the Guard) and supporting characters (the gargoyles, Quasimodo’s imaginary friends), along with memorable songs (composed by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz) that give the film its entertainment quotient. It is the more grotesque scenes, however, that provide the film its didactic purpose and social bite.

The opening of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has not been without its share of controversy. The film received negative reactions from some disability advocacy groups, which feel that this is yet another Hollywood movie with a garish portrayal of people with physical disabilities (including some of the merchandise linked with the movie).

I would not be surprised if most of these harsh critics have not even seen the movie or taken the time to read the original text. It is true that there have been films that present people with disabilities in a pathetic way, but I hope this particular film will not be added to the list. If members of these advocacy groups take the opportunity to see the movie, they may feel inspired by Quasimodo and how his character develops over the course of the story.

Quasimodo, although a fictional character, could be a role model for people wishing to confront and triumph over personal obstacles and societal barriers. As a person with a physical disability, I can relate to the way Quasimodo gains enough self-confidence and motivation (with a little help from his friends) to take risks and assume difficult challenges. This is turn enables his acceptance for who he is by able-bodied people in the real, outside world. I hope that all people with disabilities will be open-minded about this film.

In a period when Hollywood has been challenged to improve the way it presents people with disabilities on film, I believe that Disney has made a refreshing and much-needed attempt in making "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" accessible to family audiences. I recommend this film to everyone, regardless of disability or age, but especially to families with children who do not have disabilities.

If more people leave the film feeling inspired by its message, then Disney (and hence Hollywood) will have succeeded in portraying an ideal society that learns from its prejudices and tries to correct them through integration.

(Don Barrie is an undergraduate English student at Carleton University in Ottawa.)