The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Beauty is not skin deep. Sometimes this world is just so cruel to judge people from outward appearance. As the classical Disney movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" suggests, I am reminded that beauty is not something you can see. It's what you can't see. Beauty is the fabulous-looking cover that attracts you attention to a book. But it's the writing inside that holds your attention.

So, here the movie (adapted from novel of Victor Hugo) goes: The action starts with Frollo (the bad guy in the movie) chasing a family through the streets of Paris. Intent on a bit of ethnic cleansing, he wants to rid the city of Gypsies and is obsessed with finding the Court of Miracles, their secret hiding place. After dashing the mother's head against the steps of Notre Dame, Frollo grabs what he thinks is some stolen loot she's been carrying, discovers it's a malformed baby and moves to throw it down a well, eager to send the "unholy demon back to hell."

A watching priest saves the baby and absolves Frollo -- provided he agrees to be the boy's guardian. Named Quasimodo ("half formed"), the hunchback is locked in the cathedral, destined to become its bell ringer.

During the 1482 Festival of Fools in Paris, Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame, is elected the Pope of Fools for being the ugliest person in Paris finds himself falling instantly in love with the Gypsy dancer Esmeralda. Joy turns quickly to sorrow as the crowd cruelly mocks and rejects him for his misshapen appearance, failing to see the charm which lies below his odd looks.

Back in the safety of the Cathedral, Quasimodo is at first heartbroken to find that Esmeralda is in love with another, yet he ultimately risks everything to bring the two lovers together. Yeah, love is not only about possession, it's also about letting go...:) In the end, the entire city of Paris owes Quasimodo a great debt as he teaches the people the important lesson of acceptance and love. Paris learns to appreciate the unique values of the outcast Gypsies and the disfigured hunchback.

Well, well, well, this is two thumbs up movie. So, you'd better watch this. One of the best Disney's classical animation.

80% for The Hunchback of Notre Dame.