The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Notre-Dame de Paris)

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Some years ago, while visiting... or rather exploring Notre Dame,

the author of this book found on one of the towers

this Greek word carved on the wall.

FATALITY

The word made the author wonder

what kind of tortured soul

would want to leave behind this kind of infamy and crime

on the old cathedral.

Today, no trace remains of this mysterious word,

nor of the tragic life it recalled.

Yet this book is based on that one word.

Victor Hugo, February 1831.

- I am Jupiter. - Me too!

I know it's rather bold

and too severe for a Feast,

but it offers a new moral

with many details that are quite risqué.

How do you know that?

I am Pierre Gringoire, the author.

- Charity, please. - Silence!

- Charity! - Charity...

Faith and Hope! Hope that the play will be good.

- Quiet, the Cardinal's here. - And the Ambassadors.

To Hell with them!

Today is freedom for all!

- I am Jupiter! - You've already told us!

Just listen!

They've all gone mad!

Michel, let me quieten them.

The Mystery is entitled, "The Virgin Mary's judgement".

Charity!

Silence!

You'll see Venus, the Virgin Mary,

the Golden Dolphin and the Queen of Golconda.

But when will it start?

Enough! Bring on the mummers!

We also have the Feast of Fools.

In Flanders, they're up to all kinds of mischief.

It's a proper sight!

- Good day, Clopin! - Greetings!

This beggar is a real king. We met in Antwerp.

- I'm much travelled. - Yes...

but in Antwerp you had no arms!

I was cured on a pilgrimage.

When suddenly...

the radiant Princess was chosen by the Virgin Mary.

The Golden Dolphin, heir to the French throne,

saw it in a dream...

Come, Angels, if you fear not!

That's not in the play!

At last, some foolery. It was beginning to bore me.

- A Mystery with no music... ...is too mysterious, I'd say.

- I didn't say that. - Don't worry. Leave it to me.

Good people!

I don't know what we're doing here when we have a king to elect.

A play, however edifying, should not shroud this other event.

Long live the fools!

Wait for me, Clopin.

The word of the people is the Word of God.

But luckily, only once a year.

Clear that away!

- It's the grey man! - Killjoy!

Sour face!

- It's allowed today. - Not in the square.

- Everything's allowed! - If you don't like it...

...we'll strip you! - To your birthday suit!

Go to Hell!

Leave me.

Claude, the play can wait! Lend your brother some money.

- For the Feast. - This charade?!

- Where would my money go? - To a cabaret.

- You have no soul. - And yours is dead!

Mine's alive and in need of money!

- To the Devil with you! - He's my friend!

Your meanness won't help me. I'll turn to crime instead.

Master, I'm so grateful you came.

To see what? A disaster!

It's all gone. Public, Cardinal, Ambassadors, music.

Those who go do not compare to those who stay

and enjoy sacred music.

Djali!

The Feast of Fools has made her mad.

Esmeralda!

- It's Esmeralda! - Gilles, don't you dare go!

Esmeralda?!

- Where is she from? - Egypt.

She dares to dance on the square.

I'm trying to put a stop to it.

- A fearful creature. - Indeed. She has ruined me.

No, the play was already ruined.

She has just finished the job.

In a light-footed way!

- Madame! - It's the coronation.

Thank you.

- Here, take it. - It's ours?

Today's a Feast. It's for you.

- And you? - Everyday is a Feast.

Here.

Come, Djali.

Djali... The sound of far-off lands which evoke dreams.

You hear, Djali? Say thanks.

He's not ugly or funny! There's lots like him about!

He's the best. He's the winner. Long live the King of Fools!

Clopin, King of Coins, does the Court of Miracles approve?

You know him. Is he any different?

I'll ask the Duke of Egypt, King of gypsies.

He is already Emperor of Galilee. Why refuse him other honours?

Not so fast! Here's the best!

Quasimodo!

Long live King Quasimodo!

Quasimodo, of course! He grimaces from head to toe!

Move away!

Quasimodo, King of Fools!

The bells have made you deaf.

Deaf as a coot! Deaf as a boot!

King of the Deaf, hear our prayers.

He's so handsome!

She'll pay for that!

Once you've seen her, you'll never love another.

What good is a bed without her?

- Ask her! - No! Not because I'm shy, mind you.

I just know she's not for me.

Nor us, yet we are her Kings!

- So whose is she? - Tell us... We'll kill him!

I can hear music.

Yes!

It's like the bells. Like thunder and lightning!

I can hear it.

What are you doing all alone?

- Come on, tonight's for love. - Tonight's for living.

- Sacrilege! - He's a killjoy!

Judas!

Sleep, good folk! It's 11 o'clock!

It's 11 o'clock! Sleep, good folk!

Sleep?! Easier said than done.

If sleep had a house, I'd knock at his door.

- Master... - Go!

You've changed.

- You seem to have... grief. - Grief?

What else can I have? Life is no Feast for me.

Go fetch her!

Master...

- She's so beautiful. - Too bad for her, too bad for me.

Is it my fault how she dances?

Is it my fault her beauty drives me wild?

Go!

See?

You're trapped.

Help!

- The bell-ringer! - The scoundrel!

Tie his legs up!

Arrest him!

- Only got one eye! - Enough to look at girls!

- Thank you. - Pretty mouth.

I'd love to see it in the light.

Beautiful!

Like a King's mistress!

You're trembling, my sweet.

I was so afraid.

You're not afraid of me kidnapping you?

You're different. You rescued me.

What's your name?

- Phoebus. - It's nice.

- It means "the Sun". - The Sun...

- Where to? - Where indeed?

A nightlong ride with the Sun, till your horse stops at daybreak.

You are too lovely to wait till day!

There's a room. The clean one upstairs.

Goodnight, Sun.

Am I to sleep alone?

- Sleep with your dreams! - But you are my dream!

My dream for tonight.

Goodbye Sun. And thank you.

Pity! She was beautiful.

Beautiful, but a bit dishevelled.

That's just the way I like them!

Charity, please!

Last week I gave away the shirt from my own back.

I myself have no money to eat.

Nor to afford a bed.

We're not asking about you...

We're asking for charity!

Give us a little, or else we'll have the whole lot away!

You shouldn't have come here!

I don't disagree.

I am a victim of fate...

And somebody stole my hat.

- His hat! - They took his hat!

- Who did? - Here's one, for the meantime.

Look, a sinner!

He looks ripe for a hanging!

- Where am I? - The Court of Miracles.

Then I'm not surprised...

A cripple just stole my hat.

Stole?! He's moaning to us about stealing!

Are you so virtuous, then?

No, but I've never harmed anyone.

But you have broken the rules of our kingdom!

You came in with no credentials.