The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939 film)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1939 American film starring Charles Laughton as Quasimodo and Maureen OHara as Esmeralda. Directed by William Dieterle and produced by Pandro S. Berman, the film was based on Victor Hugos 1831 novel The Hunchback of NotreDame.
With the end of the 15th century, the Middle Ages came to a close. Europe began to see great changes. France, ravaged by a hundred years of War, at last found peace. The people under Louis XI felt free to hope again to dream of progress. But superstition and prejudice often stood in the way, seeking to crush the adventurous spirit of man.The film opens in 1482 with King Louis XI and his close advisor, Frollo, the Kings Chief Justice of Paris, in a printing shop. Frollo is determined to do everything in his power to rid Paris of anything he sees as evil, including the printing press and gypsies, who at the time are persecuted and prohibited from entering Paris. That day is Paris annual celebration, the Festival of Fools. Esmeralda, a young gypsy girl, is seen dancing in front of an audience of people, including the King and Frollo. Quasimodo, the hunchback and bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, is crowned the Pope of Fools until Frollo catches up to him and takes him back to the church. ........
Source: Wikipedia
