The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939 film)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1939 film featuring a deformed bell ringer who rescues a falsely accused gypsy girl.

Directed by William Dieterle. Written by Sonya Levien. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo

BIG beyond words!...Wondrous beyond belief!...Magnificent beyond compare! (taglines)

Quotes

All over France, in every city, there stand cathedrals like this one, triumphal monuments of the past. They tower over the homes of our people like mighty guardians, keeping alive the invincible faith of the Christian. Every arch, every column, every statue is a carved leaf out of our history—a book in stone, glorifying the spirit of France.
- King Louis XI

I am the true King of Fools! I battle for beauty, and the ugly gets crowned! What greater fool can there be than I?
- Gringoire

Why was I not made of stone like thee?
- Quasimodo (to gargoyle)

Dialogue

Quasimodo: I never realized till now how ugly I am, because you're so beautiful... I'm not a man! I'm not a beast! I'm about as shapeless as the man in the moon! I'm deaf, you know, but you can speak to me by signs.

Esmeralda: Why did you save me?

Quasimodo: You ask me why I saved you? Oh, I tried to carry you off, and the next day you gave me a drink of water and little pity.

Gringoire: Your hands are like ice. You're not afraid, are you?

Esmeralda: Not now. Oh, Gringoire, why did I ever come to Paris?

Gringoire: Don't cry, darling.

Esmeralda: I keep thinking and thinking, how I came here to soften the king's heart towards my people... until my silly heart betrayed me. For that, I deserve to die.

Gringoire: You will not! I will get you free.

Esmeralda: You will look out after my people when I am gone.