That makes all the difference in the world.Humorous Discussions on Movies, Pop Culture, and Strange Happenings Around the World About The movie ultimately made just over three times its budget: A success for any studio other than Disney, then coming off the phenomenon that was "The Lion King." Despite this mixed reception, the movie's creators remain proud of "Hunchback." As Wise told Slash Film, "I've had so many people come up to me and say, 'This is my absolute favorite movie.'. Some critics appreciated the mature themes and style "Hunchback" invokes, but those who wanted a pure Disney distraction couldn't wrap their heads around it. It didn't matter that Alexander was (and remains) one of the movie's most ardent champions - the damage was done. Moreover, shortly before "Hunchback" was released, Jason Alexander - one of the project's best-known actors - said that although he loved the movie, he wouldn't want his young son to see it. It presented "Hunchback" as a colorful carnival, entreating moviegoers to "Join the party!" Producer Don Hahn later admitted that he wouldn't go along with this misdirection if given another chance. So, when he left the studio during production on "Hunchback," the filmmakers jumped at the opportunity to express their newfound freedom by endowing their leading man with a jaw-defining beard.Īlthough the studio had been supportive during production, the Disney marketing team leaned as far away as possible from the movie's darker themes. As Kirk Wise recalled, Katzenberg was famously against characters having facial hair. Phoebus has the honor of being the first modern Disney hero to have facial hair, a tongue-in-cheek homage to Jeffrey Katzenberg. Other Disney cameos can be glimpsed in that moment, including the Magic Carpet from "Aladdin" and Pumbaa from "The Lion King." Maybe don't point that latter reference out to the kids, though: Pumbaa is being set up to be roasted on a spit!Īnother in-joke is hidden in plain sight, though only the most hardcore animation nerds will notice it. In honor of their previous project, a special guest makes an appearance early on: Belle can be seen walking through the market square during "Out There." Naturally, she's reading as she strolls. "Hunchback" has multiple connections to the studio's 1991 mega-hit, "Beauty and the Beast." Most obviously, it reunited directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, and composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. According to Jason Alexander, "Hunchback" boasts "the singularly most sophisticated score of most of the animated films of that era." I have so many people telling me it's their favorite Disney film." Their collaborators agree. "I think, as a lyricist, I was working at pretty much the top of my form. "I think the music is just unbelievably good," he said. Out of the ocean of culture-shaping music he's created, Menken is most proud of the work he did on "Hunchback." As he told Slash Film, "It's the most ambitious score I've ever written." Schwartz agreed that it's Menken's "best score" - and one of his own. Although less established at Disney than Menken, Schwartz went on to earn major acclaim for the lyrics to DreamWorks' 1998 musical, "The Prince of Egypt." Menken won various Oscars for the first four of those movies (and was nominated for the others), including Best Original Musical Score for "Pocahontas" and Best Original Song for "Colors of the Wind." He shares both trophies with "Hunchback" lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Disney and Michael Eisner told him, "You write the story you want to tell, and let us worry about our brand." Screenwriter Tom Murphy even recalled that Roy E. Years later, his skeleton is found clutching hers in a mass pauper's grave.Īdding singing gargoyles was not going to be enough to make this palatable for children. Fortunately (and somewhat surprisingly), the "Hunchback" team had the full support of Disney executives. Filled with rage and grief, he hurls Frollo to his death, then vanishes. Powerless, Quasimodo can only watch as she is hanged. After Esmeralda refuses his advances, Frollo hands her over to the authorities. In time, Esmeralda falls in love with Phoebus, who is considerably less charming than he is the movie. Frollo makes an attempt on his life, for which Esmeralda is blamed. This plan is thwarted, and Quasimodo is arrested. But in the book, Frollo orders Quasimodo to kidnap her. Archdeacon Frollo and Quasimodo fall in love with Esmeralda, as they do in the movie. Hugo's tome is a chronicle of human tragedy.
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