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Post by Silver on Sept 10, 2007 23:06:03 GMT -5
Joplin, I think you're one of the few people I know who has said they enjoyed the Disney version more then the original novel. Not that it's a bad thing, but I'm just very surprised! But to each his own of course. Just don't say that to any die-hard Victor Hugo fans. (hehe) Many that I know of don't respond in a friendly manner. But I love both versions dearly and will make no comparison between the two.
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Post by joplin4 on Sept 11, 2007 23:57:42 GMT -5
You know, it surprised me, too. I tried to enjoy the novel. I really did. I will say it got better toward the end. I just could have done without the chapters on the histories of architecture, Paris, and Notre Dame itself. It pretty much put me to sleep.
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Post by liongirl on Oct 31, 2007 9:49:19 GMT -5
This is another one of my faves. The music and songs are great. Especially the choral parts! L.G.
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Post by Shenzi on Jan 26, 2008 20:51:33 GMT -5
I watched this film for the first time in ages back in December with my BFF and as I watched the scene were Quasimodo is being pelted with vegetables after being crowned King Of Fools; I for the first time actually felt something inside me being hurt by watching people treat him so poorly just because he looks different. I had never had that feeling before while watching this film but for some reason this time I did. It was just so horrible how people treated each other back then.
For those who want to know a little more about the book I will tell it in a more complete small summery:
As for what Silver was saying earlier in this thread about Quasimodo's speech impairments, its because he has down syndrome or more commonly known as mental retardation. And As also stated he is deaf. The story is actually told by a random witness which I guess to be where they got Clopin's role from as he is shown in the beginning of the film. There are actually a lot of similarities between the Disney film and the book. The book begins with a street celebration like the Topsy Turvy Festival but I don't think it was about Topsy Turvy. Esmeralda has Dauji her goat companion although its referred to in the book as a female while the film suggests it to be male. Phoebes is also in the book I believe and Esmeralda does end up falling for him. And Quasimodo still falls for her as well, and there is the ending as I explained earlier in the thread where Esmeralda does get burned at the stake and Quasimodo kills himself to be with her.
Thats all I know as I recently discovered that my BFF did not read the whole thing only a few chapters and then flipped to the end hehe. I may read it myself though, I am interested.
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Post by Silver on Jan 28, 2008 21:08:14 GMT -5
I highly recommend the novel Shenzi! It's an exilerating piece with so much elaberating pitch, you can hardly put it down. I know I'm still reiling with amazment the last time I read it. One of Victor Hugo's best works in his career. But also bare in mind that you have to go into it without any comparison to the Disney film. Afterall, it's quite dark and disturbing.
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Post by Shenzi on Jan 28, 2008 21:17:47 GMT -5
Yes I am aware of that. Don't worry I know what I am getting into
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Post by Pride on Jan 28, 2008 21:51:08 GMT -5
I found the novel just a few days ago at an old bookstore for $0.50, as all of their classics are. However, it's at the bottom of my long list of novels to read. >.<
As for the film: It has been a while since I've seen it, but I remember most everything pretty vividly. First of all, the music is outstanding! Very moving, both figuratively and literally in regards to the plot. The characters develop themselves through song, and there aren't even any duets. =o It isn't my favorite Disney movie, because I'm not a big Pheobus fan, and it doesn't have the same happy ending most films do. But it has a broader message than "life will always turn out peachy". Quasimodo never knew anything other than hope, and this is how he lived. With his imaginary friends, aka his conscience, he is finally able to push himself into the forbidden world. In one single day, he meets Esmeralda, who will soon consume a large portion of his life. Unlike most Disney movies, the underdog does not get the beautiful girl. The beautiful man gets the beautiful girl, in the sense of romance. But he gains something that he has never been able to feel before, friendship. In the song "Heaven's light", he sings about how every day he witnesses other people experiencing happiness and love, but he will never find it. Esmeralda doesn't need to marry him to make him happy; she only needed to touch his face, and by doing so, touch his heart.
There is just too much to say about this movie to say it all now ^.^
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Post by Silver on Jan 29, 2008 1:31:20 GMT -5
I guess we're polar oppisites then. All the reasons you've mentioned are the very reasons I have fallen in love with this film. I like the fact that Quasimodo didn't recieve the same avaerage ending that occurs in most Disney films. Very bold but admireable none the less. Going the unconventional route definetley deserves an appluse. Quasi may not have found romance but he did find a profound friendship. He also found awarness, honesty, support and freedom. He also found the ability to look at himself in the mirror and believe he is beautiful in every sense. And I think the chemistry was much stronger for Phebus & Esmerelda. I think it fits better between them as far as romance goes. But unlike most love triangles, these three managed to all stay close and put in the team effort when it was the darkest hour.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Jan 29, 2008 1:39:32 GMT -5
I haven't seen this movie in years. What I do remember from seeing it is that although I found it to be a fascinating story, it was still missing something. I'm not completely sure what though. I did find the music to be especially powerful. If I come across it I'll watch if only to see if I can better articulate what it was "missing."
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Post by Silver on Jan 29, 2008 1:50:03 GMT -5
Really? I thought this was one of the last great films in the Disney cannon. One that would leave an impression on those who left the theater or even the living room saying "Wow, what an emotional roller coaster!" Although crtics smashed it to pieces for butchering the Graphic Novel. I for one continue to make no comparison. Maybe when you come across it again, it will be even more moving then when you remember. (Although, I did hear the gargoyes were a bit of a turn off. So maybe they're the reason)
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Jan 29, 2008 2:05:53 GMT -5
I think I found the gargoyles funny. The risk that Disney took with this is that they altered the original tragic ending and made it somewhat happy while still keeping a small piece of Hugo's spirit in the sense that Quasimodo does not get the girl. While Disney often makes endings happier, it's usually not quite so dramatic a change. Cinderella still ends up with the prince, but her sister cuts her heel off to try and fit in the glass slipper in the original, which is obviously more graphic than Disney's.
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Post by Shenzi on Jan 29, 2008 12:19:53 GMT -5
and it doesn't have the same happy ending most films do. One of the many reasons I enjoy this film so much. I love a good fairytale happy ending just as much as the next person but I also like a balance of more realistic endings as well. The ending to this film was not only unique but it was not too predicable. It was happy like Disney is supposed to be but not fairytale where the characters get everything they want. I love how Quasi was shown with a broken heart when Esmeralda fell for Phoebus. I think its a good representation that you can't always catch what you are chasing.
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Post by Silver on Jan 29, 2008 23:47:31 GMT -5
and it doesn't have the same happy ending most films do. One of the many reasons I enjoy this film so much. I love a good fairytale happy ending just as much as the next person but I also like a balance of more realistic endings as well. The ending to this film was not only unique but it was not too predicable. It was happy like Disney is supposed to be but not fairytale where the characters get everything they want. I love how Quasi was shown with a broken heart when Esmeralda fell for Phoebus. I think its a good representation that you can always catch what you are chasing. I coulden't agree more!
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Post by Pride on Jan 30, 2008 0:16:37 GMT -5
I guess we're polar oppisites then. All the reasons you've mentioned are the very reasons I have fallen in love with this film. I like the fact that Quasimodo didn't recieve the same avaerage ending that occurs in most Disney films. Very bold but admireable none the less. Going the unconventional route definetley deserves an appluse. Quasi may not have found romance but he did find a profound friendship. He also found awarness, honesty, support and freedom. He also found the ability to look at himself in the mirror and believe he is beautiful in every sense. And I think the chemistry was much stronger for Phebus & Esmerelda. I think it fits better between them as far as romance goes. But unlike most love triangles, these three managed to all stay close and put in the team effort when it was the darkest hour. I think we've had a misunderstanding "It isn't my favorite Disney movie, because I'm not a big Pheobus fan, and it doesn't have the same happy ending most films do. But it has a broader message than "life will always turn out peachy"..." I'm sorry, I wasn't clear at all. It isn't one of my favorite films, because of Pheobus. I failed to explain more reasons why it wasn't my favorite. However, the but meant that this was the stuff that I do like. I guess I was just in a positive mood =p
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Post by Silver on Jan 30, 2008 11:16:28 GMT -5
Oh I'm sorry. I did misread your original post. I see where you were intending to go now. And I definitley agree with you on how this film so much more deep and intimate compared to many other films. And that's what's so thrilling about it. But out of curiousity, why arn't you big fan of Phebus? (Not that's it a bad thing) I'm just interested to know the reason. I thought he was hilarious as well as valiant and sincere in his role.
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