Night At The Movies
The Huunchback of Notre Dame (1996) (Disney)
Synopsis:
 
    Quasimodo's mother was killed by Frollo, minster of justice in midieval Paris.  Frollo raises the child as a bell ringer in Notre Dame cathedral, forbidding him to ever set foot outside the cathedral.  Quasimodo's friends, which happen to be statues, convince him to go to the festival of Fools, a celebration that anyone may attend.  When he is voted King of Fools, Frollo punishes Quasi, but the hunchback is helped by Esmerelda, a kind hearted gypsy girl.  Frollo accuses Esmerelda of witchcraft, but when she enters the cathedral, she cannot be captured by Frollo or his men.  Quasi helps her escape the cathedral.  Frollo cannot get Esmerelda out of his mind, and when he learns that she has escaped from the cathedral, he orders his men to go so far as to burn down Paris until she is found.  When Quasimodo goes to warn her and the gypsies of the edict, he is shadowed by Frollo and his men, who capture the gypsies and Esmerelda.  Frollo proclaims that Esmerelda is to burn at the stake if she does not promise her love to him.  She refuses and it is up to Quasimodo to save her.

Availability:
    VHS: Pan and Scan -- going on moratorium soon.

Cast/Crew:
Kevin Kline                    Phoebus
        A Fish Called Wanda
        Fierce Creatures
        Soapdish

Demi Moore                  Esmerelda
        Ghost
        One Crazy Summer
        GI Jane
Jason Alexander            Hugo
        Pretty Woman
        Seinfeld (television)

Miscellaneous:
    This was the first film in which Disney used a program called "Crowd."  It takes a few basic characters, changes clothing and colors, and creates a literal crowd.  An animator can create only a few characters, animate them in a few different positions, and form a group of almost any size.  One can grasp the size of these groups with the overhead shots.

MPAA Rating:
    G  Adult Themes

My Rating:
    When all things are considered, this is a pretty good film.  Unfortunately, this may not be one that you want your younger children to watch.  Frollo lusts after Esmerelda, and while it is not graphic in any way, it is heavily implied.  If you want to see good animation, this is a great one.
    ***
A-I                                             Night at the Movies
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