The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Year: 1956

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: French

Director: Jean Delannoy

DramaHistoryHorror

In 1482 Paris, the Festival of Fools fills the square before Notre‑Dame. Esmeralda, a captivating gypsy dancer, enchants the crowd with a bewitching performance. From his cathedral tower, alchemist Frollo watches her lustfully. He commands the deformed bell‑ringer Quasimodo to abduct her, but the hunchback is moved by her beauty and inner grace.

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Timeline & Setting – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

15th century

Set in late medieval Paris under the reign of Louis XI, the tale traverses a city of religious zeal, brutal justice, and social divisions. The era is marked by public rituals, executions, and power struggles that frame the characters’ choices. Sanctuaries within the city walls offer fragile refuge amid the era’s volatility.

Location

Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Court of Miracles

The story unfolds in medieval Paris, anchored by the towering Notre-Dame Cathedral and the bustling streets surrounding it. The Court of Miracles represents the city’s hidden underworld and marginalized communities. From crowded plazas to sacred interiors, the film contrasts public spectacle with intimate sanctuary.

🏛️ Paris 🌆 City Life 🧭 Court of Miracles

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:28

Main Characters – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956)

Meet the key characters of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn)

The hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo is gentle, loyal, and overlooked by society. He forms a protective bond with Esmeralda and risks himself to shield the vulnerable. His journey moves from isolation to tragic, steadfast devotion.

🗿 Misfit 💖 Compassion 🛡️ Protector

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida)

A fearless Roma dancer whose empathy and resilience help her navigate a hostile city. She shows mercy to Quasimalda and stands up to coercion, even as she becomes a target of persecution. Her fate intertwines with the lovers’ and the city’s moral storms.

💃 Dancer 🕊️ Free Spirit 💖 Compassion

Claude Frollo (Alain Cuny)

A priest-turned-obsessive figure whose cold intellect manipulates power and fear. His guilt-laden arc reveals the consuming nature of unchecked desire and the consequences of using authority to dominate others. His conflict with Esmeralda drives much of the tragedy.

🗡️ Obsession 🕯️ Authority 🔒 Secrecy

Clopin Trouillefou (Philippe Clay)

Leader of the Roma, Clopin is charismatic and quick-witted, guiding the Court of Miracles and the Roma with spirited resolve. He embodies street-level justice and communal solidarity, even as his plans influence the city’s fate. His presence heightens the contrast between the marginalized and the ruling classes.

🎭 Leadership 🧭 Wanderer 🪶 Culture

Phoebus de Chateaupers (Jean Danet)

A captain entangled in a dangerous romance with Esmeralda; his ambition and bravado contrast with the city’s intrigue. He becomes a pawn in the power games around Esmeralda’s fate, and his survival after the stabbing adds a layer of political tension. His actions propel key plot twists.

⚔️ Soldier 💔 Romantic entanglement 🧭 Political pawn

Pierre Gringoire (Robert Hirsch)

A witty poet who survives by chance and charm, Gringoire negotiates his life by marrying Esmeralda to avoid execution. He illustrates precarious wit and luck in a dangerous world, serving as a lens to view social norms and courtly arts. His character embodies resilience through chaos.

✒️ Artist 🎭 Survival 🧭 Comic relief

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:28

Major Themes – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956)

Explore the central themes of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1956), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love and Obsession

Esmeralda’s allure awakens protective love in Quasimodo and dangerous obsession in Frollo. The triangle drives crucial choices and moral ambiguity, showing how affection can both redeem and destroy. The film probes whether mercy can coexist with desire, or if passion simply courts tragedy.

⚖️ Power and Jealousy

Frollo’s authority is corrupted by desire, turning law and faith into tools of control. His jealousy fuels violence, including the stabbing of Phoebus and the persecution of Esmeralda. The story exposes how personal vendettas can manipulate institutions and shape the city’s fate.

🕊️ Sanctuary vs Persecution

Notre-Dame stands as a sacred refuge where Esmeralda and Quasimodo seek safety from persecution. The outside world pressures those inside sanctuary to reveal or betray secrets. The climax underscores the fragile line between mercy and mob justice in a divided city.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:28

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame Summary

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame Summary

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Timeline

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame Timeline

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Spoiler-Free Summary

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