An enduring classic of literature, Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame was first adapted for the screen in 1923 by Wallace Worsley, telling a dark tale of forbidden love and treachery. Paris in the 15th-century. Evil brother of the archdeacon, Jehan (Brandon Hurst) is in love with a Gypsy named Esmeralda (Patsy Ruth Miller). Wanting her for himself he commands the hunchback Quasimodo (Lon Chaney) to capture her. But another suitor, Captain Phoebus (Norman Kerry) is also in love with her, setting forth on a rescue mission to ensure her safety. However, an unlikely bond forms between Esmeralda and the outcast Quasimodo and when his heart is put to the test, his true feelings rise to the surface for all to witness. A groundbreaking motion picture, providing the legendary Lon Chaney (The Phantom of the Opera) with one of his most memorable roles, replete with extraordinary make-up effects and haunting imagery, The Hunchback of Notre Dame remains a masterwork of the genre. 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Reviews

“An awe-inspiring achievement, featuring magnificent sets (built on the Universal backlot), the proverbial cast of thousands (the crowd scenes are mesmerizing) and an opportunity to catch Lon Chaney at his most commanding.” – Creative Loafing

“From any facet or dimension, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a true classic in its own right due to its ambition, scope, scale and payoff. However, the real reason to see this film is the incomparable performance of one Lon Chaney.” – PopMatters

“Even though it diverts from the original novel, the film is still ultimately a tragic, triumphant story.” – Film School Rejects