Sets and Cinematography: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

The set under construction 

The sets of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) look astonishingly realistic. Unlike other period films of the time, the sets are not artificial and sterile looking.

The steps in Notre Dame, for example, are slightly worn down from years of people using them. Little details like that help the audience better immerse themselves in the film's world.

They are simply stunning, especially for a film that's nearly a hundred years old.

There is a clever use of extras here that works really well. Certain scenes with large crowds reuse the same extras in different places to create the illusion of a massive throng. This type of ingenuity was lacking in the 1956 adaptation, where Paris felt empty and underpopulated.

Other than that though, there's not a whole lot I can say about the cinematography and direction. It's fine, it's not poor, but it's nothing spectacular. The sets and actors are what matter most in silent films.

Next: Conclusion