Music: Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The music of this version is entirely midi composition. The cheesy synthesizer sound really grates on me. It reminds me of a typical 90s melodramatic TV show. There is also a lot of stock music, some of which doesn't really fit. The French national anthem is played about two or three times, and for no real reason.

But the coup de gras comes with the musical numbers. Like Pixar's Toy Story, the songs are song by a third party rather than the actual characters. Instead of Randy Newman, who preformed the songs in Toy Story. here we get a poor man's version. 

A poor man's Randy Newman. Saying that goes to show how bad the singing is. 

The songs are very out of place. I have a feeling that they were a mandatory inclusion. A Disney knockoff needs musical numbers, right? The lyrics are insipid, and nauseatingly saccharine. Here's a sample:

"Love can make a blind man see

Love can set a prisoner free

Love is all

Love is everything"

These songs are easily the worst thing about this film. The composition is on par with the lyrics. Lazy and arduous 

Next: Conclusion

Art and Animation: Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The animation appears smoother in this GIF than in the movie

I mentioned in the introduction to this review that the animation was produced in Japan. Japanese animation is typically limited. While there is a place and certainly a market for that, it's not really my thing and I can accept that.

What I can't except is laziness, which this particular production screams of. Frames are repeated frequently and motion is kept to a minimum.Cost saving techniques like mouth flapping and close ups also are present. While these quirks are good for cutting costs, it's terrible for audience engagement.

The animation is in a sort of uncanny valley, far from fluid motion, bur also not quite lifeless.

Artistically, it fairs a bit better. The coloring is consistent and vibrant, which is surprising for such a low rent production. There are a few background paintings which are quite nice. They're not anything memorable, but the backgrounds are well done and easy on the eyes. Character design, while also not spectacular, is serviceable. Unlike most of the adaptations made to cash in on the Disney film, Jetlag Productions do not directly take inspiration (rip off) Disney's character design.

Next: Music

Characters: Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo

Quasimodo looks a lot like Mr. Magoo at certain angles, which is really strange. Like the Dingo Pictures film, Quasimodo's speech is slurred and at times incomprehensible. It's never is perplexing here as it was in that thing, you can usually get the gist of what he's saying, but it's still difficult to understand. Quasimodo here is portrayed as dimwitted and brutish. This does not gel with the musical numbers, which say that Quasimodo's "heart was as big as the sky." He's just not very likable. I don't feel for him at all.

Esmeralda

It's pretty cringe worthy to watch Esmeralda dance in this version. Because the animation is so limited and awkward, the fluidity and movement is clumsy. I have no idea why, in this version, she falls in love with Quasimodo. It just comes out of nowhere, and it's not very convincing. It is clear that this was meant to satisfy the kids who were disappointed
by this pair not happening in the Disney movie, which this is derivative of. Esmeralda is uninteresting here, but because of that she is the most tolerable. 

Claude Frollo

Frollo has a patented "bad guy voice." It's hoarse, cunning, and would seem right at home coming out of an evil wizard. His appearance speaks to this, he has a ring of messy black hair around his head, and a giant nose. The filmakers make a few vague references to his practice of alchemy and religious confusion, but nothing really comes of it.

There's not much point in examining the other characters. They're fairly similar to their book versions, but they are given so little screen time that they don't ultimately matter. The only interesting detail is that, instead of Clopin, the Duke of Egypt is the prominent figure in the court. He looks more like a goblin than a romani person, but that's the least of this film's problems.

Next: Art and Animation

The Plot: Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo

The film opens with a musical number, which claims that if "your clothes were all wrong" and your "voice was too loud" then "you know Quasimodo and how he must feel."

After this, narration explains that on Quasimodo Sunday, a young woman abandoned her child in the cathedral of Notre Dame. Claude Frollo, a "young priest", adopts the child, despite it being "horribly misshapen."

Years later, Frollo had become the archdeacon of Notre Dame. He hired Quasimodo to be the ringer of the church bells. While this profession renders Quasimodo deaf, he seems to enjoy it enough.

This particular day is the celebration of the festival of fools. While a play is being preformed at the palace of justice, the people's attention is drawn instead to Quasimodo, who is ringing the bells and climbing the church architecture madly. The author of the play, Pierre Gringoire, is disheartened to see his work fail.

A donkey, for whatever reason

The people then decide to elect a pope of fools, a competition to find the ugliest man in town. Several worthy competitors participate, including a donkey, but the winner is ultimately Quasimodo.

During the night, all eyes are on Esmeralda, a gypsy girl who dances before a roaring bonfire. After she finishes her dance, she begins to collect money. she goes to Gringoire, but he's completely broke. He then goes to Frollo, who briskly walks away from her.

Quasimodo appears, paraded as the pope of fools. Frollo puts a stop to this, crying "Sacrilege!" and "Profanation!" Quasimodo tackles Frollo, but upon recognizing him his kneels. Frollo orders him to follow.

Th attempted kidnapping

After this, Gringoire tries to stalk Esmeralda through the streets, when, out of the shadows, comes Frollo and Quasimodo the two of them try to kidnap her, but are stopped by Captain Phoebus and his men. Only Quasimodo is arrested. Esmeralda, to show her gratitude, kisses Phoebus and runs off.

Gringoire is pinned down by vagabonds, who bring him to the Duke of Egypt. He's forced to preform several bizarre
tasks, and is offered to the local women. Gringoire is rejected for being to "poor" and "thin" and "young." Esmeralda ultimately chooses to marry him, but the marriage remains platonic. She is in love with Phoebus.

P-H-O-E-B-U-S

Quasimodo is being punished in the stocks the next day. The crowd jeers at his misery, calling Quasimodo a "stupid oaf." Esmeralda pities him with a drink of water. After Quasimodo is freed, Esmeralda begins to dance. Fleur de Lys, the Fiance of Captatin Phoebus, watches her with her betrothed. Esmeralda tells them that she has a secret. The secret is that she had taught her goat how to spell Phoebus' name. Fleur de Lys wishes to see her, but Phoebus shuts the idea down. Esmeralda walks away, disappointed.

Gringoire, after the failure of his play, becomes a juggler, much to Frollo's dismay. Frollo himself feels "possessed by (Esmeralda)" Seeing Esmeralda wander the street, he begins to follow her. She is on her way to meet Phoebus at the docks. Frollo stabs Phoebus, and Esmeralda begs to be murdered herself. Esmeralda is blamed for the murder. She is condemned to die.

"'Thank you Larry," at least that's what it sounds like

During the morning of the execution, Esmeralda is brought to the noose. Quasimodo, who had been observing, jumps halfway down the church, shouts "sanctuary" and then jumps down to the pavement, scooping Esmeralda up, and bringing her into the safety of the cathedral. Frollo informs the guards
that Esmeralda is safe from the law when inside.

Quasimodo informs Esmeralda that if she leaves Notre Dame, she will die, and then he just walks away.

Then another song begins to play, which shows all of the main cast, except Frollo, dancing with Esmeralda. The omnipotent singer ponders whether Esmeralda is "real or only in my mind."

The next morning, Esmeralda opens her door and says "good morning." This sentiment is repeated by Frollo, who then tries to grope and force himself on her. Frollo eventually chooses to stop, saying that no one will have her. Esmeralda tries to tell Quasimodo, but he refuses to listen, wanting to keep his kind vision of his master.

Again, "the version that children love."

Gringoire is still trying to make money by juggling. Frollo tells him that Esmeralda is going to be hanged soon. He tells Gringoire to saccrafice himself for her, but he refuses. Frollo devises another plan, to have Gringoire and his friends from the court of miracles to rescue Esmeralda themselves. Gringoire agrees.

Quasimodo brings Esmeralda dinner. He tries to hide from her, but she makes him reveal himself. For whatever reason, Esmeralda is in love with Quasimodo, and knows that he'll protect her from Frollo.

The vagrants enter the church during the night and bring Esmeralda out. Quasimodo tries to stop them, but the Duke of Egypt stops the hunchback from doing so.

Frollo brings the soldiers attention to the group. The vagabonds fight the soldiers, and Phoebus, leading the charge, grabs Esmeralda. Esmeralda wonders how she could have ever loved him, to which he replies with a simple declaration. "I'm irresistible, that's why."

"I'm irresistible, that's why!"

Esmeralda frees herself, and encounters Frollo. He tells her that the only way to live is to follow him. After debating whether or not she should trust an attempted murderer and rapist, she decides to anyway.

Quasimodo utters a battle cry and jumps from the height of the church to the ground below. Phoebus tries to stop Quasimodo, only to be tossed aside. Frollo tells Esmeralda to love him or die. Because she refuses, Frollo pulls out a knife, but, before he can do anything, Quasimodo stops him. Quasimodo throws Frollo off of the bridge, shouting that he's an "impostor!"

Dodging thousands of arrows fired by the advancing cavalry, Quasimodo and Esmeralda run off together. They're never seen again, though rumor spreads of the happy couple being seen out in the countryside.

Next: Characters

Site Update and Format Adjustment

This is going to be a brief update of how things are going to work here.

Each review will be followed by a "rest day." After that, reviews will continue on a daily basis as usual.

I'm also considering expanding things. Maybe I'll start doing video reviews on YouTube if there's enough of an audience or a podcast or something. Who knows? This blog may be a bit too niche at the moment, but I enjoy it.

If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment.

A minor change, a minor update.

Introduction: Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"The version children love"

Jetlag Productions' The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released in 1996, the same year as the popular Disney adaptation. Like the Dingo Pictures film, which I reviewed earlier, this was meant to trick unsuspecting consumers into believing that they were purchasing that version as apposed to this cheap knockoff.

The company that produced this was an American and Japanese animation studio. The films, always direct to video, were made for the American market, but animated in Japan. As a result, the animation is fairly comparable to Japanese Anime, in the sense that the animation is extremely poor and choppy.

After dominating VHS bargain bins, it was eventually put onto DVD in several forms. You could buy it individually, for a penny on Amazon these days, or in a compilation with other Jetlag films, also for a penny.

Next: The Plot

Conclusion: Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame

Edward Fitzball

Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame is rightfully obscure. It's a very loose adaptation of the Victor Hugo book, and it's one of the earliest. The sources that I've researched say it even predates La Esmeralda. It's not the first, that honor likely goes to a forgotten 1832 theatrical adaptation.

 It was fairly popular during its time, and Edward Fitzball seemed proud of his own work, so others must have as well. There's nothing that makes this stand out. It is, like the complete edition advertises, a "standard play."

I don't think that there's no real reason to go back to it. On top of that, if you did want to go back to it, the process of doing so is cumbersome and inconvenient.

It's not a bad play, it's just unremarkable and outdated.

Presentation for Dick's Standard Plays: Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame

Dick's Standard Plays Complete Edition

The only reference I have for this version is from the Dick's Standard Plays Complete Edition. I have not seen a performance of Esmeralda, mostly because it hasn't been widely preformed in many, many decades, so this is the only thing I have to go by.

The presentation is pretty bare bones. The only art is from the cover illustration which, if a bit basic, is still well done. The formatting is a bit problematic. In order to save paper, it seems, the text is separated in two columns. It's functional, but not particularly pleasant to read. The spacing is very small and close together. This fact makes dialogue confusing to read at times. Characters names are abbreviated when they speak, but because of the small spacing

The grammar and spelling also is not very good.

The complete edition is not very well done, but, in 2015, you really have no other option. It hasn't been reprinted, there's just not the demand out there. There's not even an ebook version. This version is all there is, but the good news is is that it's free. It's archived here. 

Next: Conclusion

The Characters: Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame

Esmeralda

Esmeralda, like in many adaptations, is not a particularly well developed. There's a bit more to her than the interpretation from La Esmeralda, but not by much. Esmeralda acts as a sort of martyr figure, and manages to tug at the heartstrings a bit when saying goodbye to the gypsy women who she considered family. As for her personality, she's mostly  She's defined by her love for a man, Phoebus, and not much else.
benign.

Quasimodo is probably the most well rounded of the characters in this. He has conflicting emotions regarding his lovalty to his master and his love for Esmeralda. Quasimodo is given several long monologues that run a little over dramatic. It feels like every other scene with him has some long, existential soliloquy about his appearance and his despairing ability to love.

Frollo

Claude Frollo is usually referred to as "the monk." Part of me wonders if this is call back to the 1796 novel The Monk, which was quite popular at the time. This is a fairly standard Frollo, a large portion of his dialogue is from the book, but it's nothing too special. Edward Fitzball explores the relationship between Quasimodo and Frollo fairly competently. Usually these early stage versions ignore this element of the story.

Phoebus is typically portrayed in these early adaptations as a heroic figure. This is a trend that didn't really end until the 1923 movie came out. To be honest, the 1923 film has a lot of influence from this play, more than I had considered.

Gringoire is a comic relief character, which, like the heroic Phoebus, was a trend in 19th century plays and operas. He's vain, he's pompous, and, in a bizarre addition, is a puppeteer. This is interesting, because in the 1996 Disney animated version, Clopin is a puppeteer. Perhaps this is just a coincidence.

Captain Phoebus

There's not much to say about Clopin. he's there, I guess. He is given the role of Mathias Hungadi from the book, being the leader of the Gypsies as apposed to the king of beggars.

I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss the new characters for this version: Captain Earnest and Coucou.

Captain Earnest is essentially Phoebus with a different name. He's noble, he's a soldier, and a companion.

Coucou fills some of the roles that Esmeralda had in the book. The biggest thing she does is save Gringoire by marrying him. Unlike Esmeralda in the novel, Coucou actually wants Gringoire as a husband. There's a running gag of her bossing Gringoire around and ocasionally beating him when he disobeys. Maybe it's because of the play's vintage, but her comedy doesn't really resonate with me. I don't really find spousal abuse that funny, to be honest.

None of the characters are really that well developed, which is a shame. I do like some of Quasimodo's overwritten monologues, and there's occasionally a bit of enjoyable comedy, but on the whole these characters are pretty flat.

Next: An Overview of the Dick's Standard Plays Version

(Unfortunately, because of the age of the play, I don't have many images to show. There were no photographs, and the only illustrations I could find were from the published version by Dicks' Standard Plays. As a result, I have no images for Quasimodo, Gringoire, or the majority of the cast.)

The Plot: Esmeralda; or The Deformed of Notre Dame

During the reign of Louis Xi, in 1482, Pierre Gringoire, a "poet and puppet show man" is preforming a puppet show for the "enlightened" and "intellectual" public. The people's attention is drawn, however, to the dancing girl Esmeralda. Gringoire tries to win over the few remaining spectators, mostly older women, but they also leave to watch Esmeralda.

Esmeralda

Claude Frollo, a monk from Notre Dame, gives money to Esmeralda saying that, "were it my soul, I would give it to thee, beautiful Egyptian." Esmeralda is upset, remembering that Frollo "follows (her) about like a dark shadow." She tries to make Frollo leave.

She discusses her discontent with some women, who assume that she is alarmed by Quasimodo, the "ugly hunchback" who is "on the battlements (of Notre Dame), staring at (her)." They then suspect Gudule, a recluse who hates all gypsies. Esmeralda explains that she didn't refer to Quasimodo or Gudule, but rather Frollo. To escape the monk Esmeralda hurries off. Gudule tells the women of her plight, how gypsies supposedly stole her only child.

Quasimodo, in the belfry of Notre Dame, laments his existence. He is "loved by no earthly creature" but can love nonetheless. He wishes that he hadn't seen Esmeralda, so he wouldn't feel so miserable about himself, as she is beautiful and his is not. Quasimodo throws himself down, but is called upon by Frollo. Frollo questions Quasimodo's loyalty to him, but Quasimodo reassures him by mentioning all of the things that Frollo has done, from his adoption to his employment.

Frollo tells Quasimodo that he is in love with Esmeralda. Quasimodo views love as a "blessed emotion" while Frollo views it as something he should be "reviled, mocked" for feeling. He orders Quasimodo tell help kidnap Esmeralda during the night, and the hunchback reluctantly agrees.

At the Gondelaur mansion, Fleur de Lys is concerned that Captain Phoebus is ignoring her. Instead of watching her sing, he is watching Esmeralda. Phoebus tries to tell Fleur and her mother not to be jealous. Esmeralda is invited topreform for Captain Phoebus and his fiance Fleur de Lys. Phoebus tells Esmeralda to meet at the Virgin statue.

Frollo and Quasimodo hide near a Virgin statue. Esmeralda arrives, expecting to meet Phoebus. Frollo orders Quasimodo to kidnap her, but he refuses at the last minute. Frollo attempts to seize her himself. Phoebus comes to stop him, and as a result, Frollo pulls out a dagger to stab Esmeralda. However, at the last moment, Quasimodo prevents Frollo from doing this by grabbing his arm. Phoebus tells Frollo to "begone or meet thy death."

The Court of Miracles

Quasimodo is conflicted about his relationship with Frollo, but he still agrees to help Frollo with his next scheme. He promises to protect Esmeralda from Frollo at all costs.

Gringoire, distraught from his earlier failure, wanders about. He ends up in the Court of Miracles, and is interrogated by Clopin, the "gypsy king." Clopin tells Gringoire that he'll be hanged if none of the local women wish to marry him. The one that does, a woman who Gringoire describes as "a female cyclops," is named Coucou. Clopin preforms the wedding rites, then he has the gypsies dance for the both of them. After that, Coucou and Gringoire leave together.

Frollo had been waiting for Esmeralda to arrive, as she lives in the Court. Phoebus accompanies her. The two of them sit down near a fire. Esmeralda makes Phoebus aware not to touch her amulet, as she believes it will help her find her long lost mother. Esmeralda promises to marry Phoebus, and that he will fix everything wrong in her life. Frollo watches with Quasimodo from a nearby window.

Frollo stabs Phoebus, causing Esmeralda to faint on the spot. Quasimodo is concerned that Frollo murdered Esmeralda, but is relieved to discover that she is still alive. Frollo guilts Quasimodo into assisting him into hiding Phoebus' body.

Clopin and other gypsies enter the room to find Esmeralda, distraught. Then, Captain Earnest and his soldiers enter to investigate. Earnest wonders how this happened, and Frollo provides an alibi. Captain Earnest promises to avenge his dead friend, and arrests Esmeralda, and Clopin and the gypsies attempt to stop them.

The dungeon

Later, Frollo comes to visit Gringoire, who tells him of his married life. Gringoire is forced by Coucou to do the work in the relationship, and Coucou is occasionally abusive.

Frollo visits Esmeralda while she is in her prison cell. She is horrified by him. He tells her that she is responsible for his psychological breakdown because he has become obsessed with her. He offers to save her from execution if she'll say she loves him. Remembering that he murdered her beloved Phoebus, she says rejects his advances.

The guards enter Esmeralda's cell. Frollo offers her again, but she says no to the wicked monk.

The day of Esmeralda's execution arrives. Quasimodo observes the area from the heights of Notre Dame. He monologues about how he wishes to save Esmeralda from death and from Frollo, but doesn't want to break his oath. Quasimodo decides that, in spite of his internal dilemma, he'll save her anyway.

Down below Gudule begs to see Esmeralda die. Locals are disturbed, as Gudule is a "christian woman." The gypsies weep for Esmeralda as she brought to the executioner. Even Gudule feels some pity for the unfortunate girl. As it turns out, Esmeralda is Gudule's long lost child, and Gudule is Esmeralda's long lost mother. Their reunion is short lived, as Esmeralda is dragged closer to the scaffold.

Before Esmeralda can be beheaded by a man carrying an ax, Frollo asks her to love him once more. As Phoebus is dead, she considers herself to be.

Quasimodo approaches the scaffold and pulls the ax from the executioner's hand wielding it above his head. He declares that Esmeralda "is innocent and shall not die" and brings her "to the sanctuary" and out of harm's way.

Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from death

The people, delighted, shout "Quasimodo" over and over again.

In the sanctuary, Quasimodo tells Esmeralda that she is safe. She wishes that she were dead, but Quasimodo assures her that she has much to live for, like love. Quasimodo explains that Phoebus is actually alive still, and that he will find him. Once found, he can testify on Esmeralda's behalf. Unfortunately, while the sanctuary may keep Esmeralda safe from the law, he knows it will not protect her from Claude Frollo. He decides that she'd be safe within a secret tomb, near the alter of Notre Dame. Esmeralda admits to no longer fearing the hunchback.

Phoebus was hidden away in the ferry house. He discovers a paper, which was slipped under the door. It was from Gringoire, who explains that Esmeralda will be executed that night unless he can prevent it. Phoebus cannot leave the house, as he is locked inside. To open the door, Gringoire uses firecrackers to cause an explosion. Clopin and the gypsies arrive, furious at the commotion, and threaten to hang Gringoire. Phoebus comes to his defense. Just in time, Captain Earnest and the other soldiers arrive on the scene.

Gringoire takes the opportunity to divorce himself from Coucou.

Quasimodo comes to visit Esmeralda, who is hidden in the tomb. He brings food to her, and tells her that he sent Captain Earnest to rescue Phoebus. He cannot speak for long, as Frollo approaches. He is searching for Esmeralda, and asks Quasimodo where to find her. Quasimodo refuses to tell him, as Frollo has a false perception of love. Frollo and Quasimodo struggle, and the hunchback is stabbed by his master.

Phoebus arrives, and Esmeralda pops out from the tomb to see him. Seeing Esmeralda, Frollo pounces to attack her. Quasimodo pursues Frollo and "dashes him over the balustrade." Quasimodo grieves over the death of his master.

Quasimodo shows Phoebus where Esmeralda is hidden.

Phoebus, Esmeralda, and Gudule reunite. It seems the entire populace has gathered here. Quasimodo is dying. As a gesture of gratitude, Esmeralda allows Quasimodo to kiss her hand. He hears the bells of Notre Dame, welcoming him. He dies.

Next: Characters