CineTv Contest 123: The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

"Morning in Paris, the city awakes
To the bells of Notre Dame
The fisherman fishes, the baker-man bakes
To the bells of Notre Dame
To the big bells as loud as the thunder
To the little bells soft as a psalm
And some say the soul of the city's the toll of the bells
The bells of Notre Dame"

This is the song that I've been singing for 5 hours after rewatching this lovely show.
The CineTV prompt was for hidden gems. The prompt time period has probably already finished, but I had a show in mind since I watched it. A show that I watched many years ago. Released from a company that has pumped so many wonderful films and childhood favorites of the like of Lion King, Mickey Mouse, Frozen, and Moana.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, is a movie that's subtly set for an elder audience hiding it's message between childish facades.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Plot

The story follows Quasimodo, the bell ringer for the Notre Dame. He decides to leave the bell tower and attend the The feast of fools carnival despite his orders from his master, the Tyrant Frollo.
In this feast, Quasimodo deformity gets exposed and he's crowned the King of fools them comes face to face with humans cruelty at who's different.
He gets rescued by Esmeralda, a gypsy dancer who he falls in love with. As Esmeralda rescues Quasimodo, she gets noticed by Frollo and he grows infatuated with her.
He vows to have her or kill her and it's up to Quasimodo to stop him.

What makes this movie a hidden gem are the themes it addresses at such a young age.
It was different from the princess series Disney was pumping out that decade, and since the Disney series was such a a hit, this show was pushed behind, swept under the rug.

It had a lot of things that really touched me though. A lot of aspects and scenes that my childish mind overlooked the first time I saw it.
The most prominent aspect of this film once overlooked by me I believe is the choice of music.

I've said it once, twice, thrice and so many more times, but I'll say it again. The musical choice of Disney for it's films in the past is nothing like the ones that are seen now.
Back then when a Disney show was tagged "Musical" you knew for a fact that you were in for some magical songs, songs that go with the theme, the scene, the film and the script.

These songs really help draw the audience into the show, helping them further share the emotions felt by the character the song is centered on, it's a wonderful experience.

Another thing that I noted was the intricacies of the lead character Quasimodo.
A hunchback, always reminded of his deformity by Frollo and at such always kept hidden.

The gargoyles being his only friends.. yet they turn to stone in front of anyone else..
Subtly showing just how deep his loneliness has become. His character is one that is easy to understand.

The shackles of fear of being cast aside, fear that has already been justified at the Feast of Fools.
Still he broke through those chains and helped defeat Frollo in the end.. that's a story!

This is a movie that talks about the power of finding your own strength, gathering courage and having faith in friendship and love. The Hunchback of Notre Dame... Just like the main character Quasimodo, it's a true hidden gem.

_{This is written in response to the CineTv Contest 123}

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