Disney VHS: The Hunchback of Notre Dame w/ Case Dolby Surround Full Screen

Description

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (A Walt Disney Masterpiece) [VHS]
Demi Moore (Actor), Jason Alexander (Actor), Gary Trousdale (Director), Kirk Wise (Director) Rated: G (General Audience) Format: VHS Tape

Inspired by Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Disney brings the heroic adventures of Quasimodo, the gentle and lonely bell ringer of Notre Dame, to spectacular life. At the urging of his hilarious gargoyle pals, Victor, Hugo and Laverne, Quasimodo leaves the solitary safety of his tower, venturing out to find his first true friend, the gypsy beauty Esmeralda. The most unlikely of heroes, Quasi fights to save the people and the city he loves and, in turn, helps us to see people for who they are, rather than how they appear. The star-studded voice cast includes Jason Alexander, Tom Hulce, Kevin Kline, and Demi Moore in this magnificent Disney musical from renowned composer Alan Menken.

The characters in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel about lonely bell-ringer Quasimodo and his adventures with the beautiful Esmerelda come vividly and musically to life–even the stone gargoyles! This updated ’90s version features Quasimodo as an awkward youth, a departure from the Hugo text. Featuring the voices of Tom Hulce, Jason Alexander, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline and David Ogden Stiers. Academy Award Nominations: Best Original Musical or Comedy Score.

Actors: Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, Tom Hulce, Mary Kay Bergman, Corey Burton
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Writers: Bob Tzudiker, Brenda Chapman, Burny Mattinson, Christine Blum, Denis Rich
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
Rated: G
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
Run Time: 91 minutes

On the tape:
Walt Disney World: Remember the Magic
Hercules Sneak Preview
George of the Jungle Trailer
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Preview
101 Dalmatians Preview

Produced during a period known as the Disney Renaissance, the film is considered to be one of Disney’s darkest animated films as its narrative explores such mature themes as infanticide, lust, damnation, genocide, and sin, despite the changes made from the original source material in order to ensure a G rating received by the MPAA. The musical score was written by Alan Menken, with songs written by Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, both of whom had previously collaborated on Pocahontas, released a year prior.

This is probably Disney’s most unique choice for one of their musical animated motion pictures. And the result was something beautiful, meaningful, and surprisingly touching. I wish people wouldn’t give a horrible review of this film just because it didn’t stick with the book plot or because it’s “not kid-friendly”. My brother first saw this movie when he was five or six, and he had no problem with it. And while Disney’s ending is much different than Victor Hugo’s (I’m reading the book, and I must say I _prefer_ Disney’s ending), the truths in the book remain in the film. What makes a monster and what makes a man? This is something everyone, child, teen, or adult, should learn. I also like when Quasimodo says to Frollo, “All my life you’ve told me the world is a dark, cruel place. But now I see that the only thing dark and cruel about it is people like _you_!” The world has evil in it, but it also has so much good, and that’s what this story is about. I love that. The music is beautiful, the characters wonderful. My brother likes the gargoyles, but my favorite was Clopin, the self-proclaimed gypsy king. If you see this movie for no other reason, see it to hear this guy sing. What a voice! Clopin is a great character because he knows more than he says, he has all these secrets but won’t tell. He’s the one that poses the “riddle” in the beginning of the film: Who is the monster and who is the man? It’s a great introduction. He steals the show in every scene he’s in. I imagine Disney must get tired of cutesy-mouse/bear/princess flims and decided to take a chance with something just a little bit darker, a little bit lighter (in more ways than one), and a little bit deeper. Give “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame” a chance. You may be surprised. To the bells of Notre Dame!

0-7888-0629-7

Case slightly squished. VHS itself is near mint. Tape is completely rewinded for your convenience.