The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) ✦ Reaction & Review ✦ This is DARK!

This is a movie reaction to my first time watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame, released in 1996 and directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. I was not expecting this movie to be so dark at times, but it was very enjoyable overall! Frollo is up there as a worst villain of all time. But I adored Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Phoebus. The voice acting is fantastic as well! Make sure to stick around to the end of this video for my full thoughts and review and thank you so much for watching!
✦ The reaction was edited by Miles at Between Worlds Design
✦ The intro and review was edited by KL
➡️ My Patreon Exclusive Movie Reactions: kaiielle.com/movie-exclusives
🎬 FULL-LENGTH WATCHALONG: kaiielle.com/thond or you can purchase it directly in the Patreon Shop: patreon.com/kaiielle/shop/64979
✦ You must bring your own copy of the film to watch along with me.
🍿 MORE REACTION VIDEOS:
✦ You can find them through my website using the Menu at the top: kaiielle.com
✦ You can also sort through my KZbin playlists: kzbin.infoplaylists
🎥 SUGGEST MOVIES & TV SERIES:
✦ forms.gle/XZVvZhfhwFzsDpRU9
💳 REQUEST MOVIE REACTIONS:
✦ reactr.tv/kaiielle
🎮 MY GAMING CHANNEL: youtube.com/@kaleplays
🗨 JOIN THE KAIIELLE'S CREW DISCORD SERVER:
✦ discord.gg/4KQXhXJQVU
📢 MY INFO, FAQ, SOCIALS & MORE:
✦ kaiielle.com/links
💰 PATREON: patreon.com/kaiielle - NOW WITH A FREE TRIAL
My base tier grants you access to my full-length watchalongs, early access to my edits, my monthly newsletter, and more. With the higher tiers, you get access to all of my exclusive watchalong reactions to a variety of TV series. Interested in seeing some of those for free? Click here: kaiielle.com/free
⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Film Reaction
35:32 - Thoughts & Review
🎶 MUSIC CREATED FOR ME BY ELLINIA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5jUXpKnds-XbKc
✦ SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/ElliniaMusic
⭐ GEAR & PC PARTS THAT I USE:
All of the below are Amazon Affiliate Links. For even more gear info, visit kaiielle.com/hardware
Sony a6000 Camera: amzn.to/4135xKx
Sigma 16mm Lens: amzn.to/3SROA3C
KZ ZS10 Pro, Linsoul 4BA+1DD 5 Driver in-Ear HiFi Metal Earphones: amzn.to/47WBKox
Elgato Wave Microphone: amzn.to/3QQzloU
Elgato Cam Link: amzn.to/3SPLjS3
Ring Lights: amzn.to/40L1DWc
String Lights: amzn.to/46mGnr5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QL1A 27" HDR 1080p 165Hz Monitor: amzn.to/4daAPEO
Spectre C24 Monitor (x2): amzn.to/47Dwzdm
Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Keyboard: amzn.to/3G97FGF
Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse: amzn.to/3QM9RZG
Corsair K55 RGB Keyboard: amzn.to/47BNttr
Corsair Harpoon RGB Mouse: amzn.to/3upu4go
AMD Ryzen 5 7600: amzn.to/3QfTZ20
Cooler Master Master Liquid 240L Core CPU Cooler: amzn.to/3UuDul
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 EVO OC Edition 8GB GDDR6: amzn.to/3WcZZwi
G.Skill RipJaws S5 32GB: amzn.to/4aOQNTl
ASUS Prime B650M-A AX II: amzn.to/4baiINj
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD: amzn.to/3uv6VJk
Western Digital 4TB Elements HD: amzn.to/3uvDoPH
Corsair RM750e Power Supply: amzn.to/3QjHC5g
Lian Li Lancool 216 RGB Black: amzn.to/4aJTzt4
UGREEN USB 3.0 Sharing Switch: amzn.to/46spdZ4
Elgato Stream Deck: amzn.to/3RhTANP
NJSJ A2 2.0 Mini Speakers: amzn.to/47IRThs
Nintendo Switch: amzn.to/3R7Y09P
PlayStation 5: amzn.to/3sKGI9q
XBox One Controller: amzn.to/46spICq
🌌 COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.
#TheHunchbackofNotreDame #MovieReaction #FirstTimeWatching

[@kaiielle]

I hope you enjoyed this reaction and I'm looking forward to your comments! Sorry that pretty much all the music had to be muffled, but copyright be like that. All of my reactions are linked on my site, including exclusives. The movies I've reacted to that aren't edited for the channel (or were removed due to copyright blocks) are listed here: kaiielle.com/movie-exclusives Thanks so much for watching! ❤

[@roanokebrooks]

@kaiielle You're welcome. I love your KZbin content.

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

The ending of the book is darker. "Esmeralda is hanged, and Quasimodo, in his grief and despair, pushes Frollo from the cathedral tower to his death. The novel ends many years later, when two skeletons-that of a hunchback and that of a woman-are found embracing in Esmeralda's tomb."

[@kaiielle]

Oh my... 😭 I'll have to read the book one day.

[@cosplaydelmuori4471]

@@kaiielle you can see the musical Notre Dame de Paris Is pretty close but i think there Is only in France and Italian

[@Beardo2517]

What's scary is that Frollo is hands down the most realistic villain in any Disney movie. Priests have been getting away with stuff like that for centuries

[@scar445]

eh-heh! Nobody expects in the Spanish Inquisition!

[@jessicaelliott1335]

@@Beardo2517 he’s not a priest. He’s a judge.

[@thetrustysidekick3013]

Not a priest, just a self-righteous judge enraptured with religion, as was common in that time.

[@DarthKay093]

@@jessicaelliott1335 he is a priest in the book but they changed it for the movie

[@brianalambert1192]

It is gutsy that Disney even tried to "Disneyfy" this particular story. The original story was written by Victor Hugo. The same guy that wrote Les Miserables. He wrote it in an attempt to bring the public attention to Notre Dame because it was at risk of being torn down and he greatly respected it cause he was an architect among other things. So the overarching tone of this story is all of these human tragedies, infractions, the good and bad of humanity, through all of it Notre Dame stands firm. Watching. There are of course other messages, namely the corruption of the church and how it had too much power. Hugo was a political commentator. But it's a grand and tragic story that really makes you feel insignificant. So for Disney to take this story and turn it into an Ugly Duckling narrative, got to admit that takes some creativity. And they did take some liberties with the order of events and the reason things are happening. The easy example being the crowd tormenting Quasimodo in the festival of fools. The reason it happened in the book is that Quasimodo was accused of a crime (accidentally insulted the Judge because he was deaf and didn't understand the questions) and this was his punishment On a side note, the creators confirmed that the Gargoyles aren't actually talking or doing anything. They're in Quasimodo's mind because he's been that lonely

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Also am an atheist but was still sad when Notre Dame burned again 5 years ago all the relics and history that was lost but am glad they have fixed it since then and hope to see it someday

[@benschultz1784]

Most of the stuff that burned were reproductions. The originals were likely destroyed or lost during the Revolution and following wars.

[@mckennawhitney4825]

I got to she notre dame Herself back before it burned down I got to go see it again recently and I was heartbroken they are making great progress though!

[@ThePsiberknetic]

Most terrifying Disney villain of all time

[@ethandollarhide7943]

Fun Fact: Even though Frollo claims that he's a righteous man of god, he shows that he is guilty of all Seven Deadly Sins throughout the movie

[@ericgeddes3353]

This isn't my favorite Disney film but I do think it might be the best. I don't define myself solely by my disability but it is part of who I am so to see a movie where the main hero is disabled was very powerful. Thanks for uploading this.

[@NealMarchuk]

Others have mentioned some of the (many) changes from the novel. Another is the character of Frollo. In the book, he wasn't nearly so villainous as this, at least not at first. He truly meant to take care of Quasimodo (who's actually named after a Catholic feast day) as best he could. But Frollo gradually fell victim to his personal obsessions, one of them being an unhealthy interest in Esmeralda. So Disney started with a somewhat morally ambiguous character, and turned him into one of the darkest and scariest villains in animation history.

[@Raven5150]

In the novel and original silent version of this everyone but the villain dies in the end, perfect for a Disney version of the completely opposite story

[@CaptainCJ97]

This has my favorite intro to a animated film so powerful they were on fire with the soundtrack

[@jrobwoo688]

The 90’s was always my favorite era for Disney. Some of their stuff from the 60’s is pretty fun, though. I love me some Mary Poppins.

[@kaiielle]

Mary Poppins is one I've never actually seen fully. Have it down to react to someday!

[@jrobwoo688]

That would be a really fun reaction.

[@quoniam426]

Losing to a bird (in this case a pigeon) gives a very good occasion for a wordplay in French. To be "pigeonned" in French (se faire pigeonner) means to be scammed or be played.

[@randywebb2100]

This is one of my favorite 90's Disney movies. Tony Jay the voice of frollo had requested for the song hellfire to be lowered a few octaves since his range of singing is that of a bass however the conductor of the soundtrack refused the requested so Tony took voice lessons to get it perfected and got some nominations for said performance. Kaiielle I have missed you alot, I apologize for having been awol as of late. You are absolutely beautiful as always

[@nightwingman666]

Yeah its amazing how Disney got a way with something so dark. Sure they had to make it as kid-friendly as possible but it still not something you’d expect to be a ‘disney family’ film. The themes are still relevant even today.

[@EpicDave]

Pillars of the Earth... It's on my watchlist now. You're the reason I saw Sound of Metal and I loved that movie so much! Thank you for another recommendation 🙏

[@kaiielle]

Enjoy! A nice short mini-series. The book is like 1000 pages long. 😂

[@EpicDave]

@@kaiielle Please, don't challenge me with a good time lol 😅

[@bunchowhisker]

HoND has to be one of my favorite movies! I adore not only the visuals (especially the ending portion of "out there") but the story in itself. I also really like the musical based off both this movie and the book the movie was based on! It gives alot more depth to Frollo- and a motivation aspect to the entire thing! Frollo is such a grimey man, But He's so good at being what he is- A villain.

[@Darth_Draconus]

I've had a theory about the gargoyles since I was 12, and every time I watch this movie, it just makes more and more sense: the gargoyles coming to life and talking to him are a representation of how he's coping with his isolation. As there is absolutely no other sign that magic exists in this story, and since they only ever interact with him, it adds up. As for their part in defending the cathedral, the largest piece of evidence against my theory, I think it was all Quasimodo, but once again, he manifested them for support. When it comes to the time the goat saw one of them, idk, maybe an optical illusion. And Frollo's was spurred on by fear of hell, and already being quite superstitious.

[@KingOrest]

A masterpiece of a soundtrack

[@te1013]

Hellfire is soooo good!! So many undertones too. Kudos to Disney for even breaching those waters.

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Also esmeralda first crush love her beautiful eyes

[@stephenniehaus8635]

It's only fitting that Frollo fell under what appeared to be hellfire

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Grew up watching it and love it and the Bells plus Hell fire

[@nathancruz9172]

Me too

[@baguettegott3409]

20:50 Very true. Men can often think of their attraction to a woman as something that she is _doing to them._ Or let's better say "person" instead of woman - many men have, out of internalized homophobia, attacked or even killed a guy they found attractive for "making them gay" (by existing and being attractive). The explanations are varied, like you said, spells or hypnosis of some kind, the devil's corruption, or nowadays more likely imagined promiscuity, what she's wearing etc. Anything so they don't have to take on the responsibility for their own feelings and actions.

[@nathancruz9172]

31:40 😂 32:05 molten metal is very dangerous to touch. 33:50-33:57 my favorite Disney villains death.

[@Murrlin27]

Hello! A KL reaction = a nice close to the day!

[@pedrobona]

Tony Jay was just a fantastic actor. He played an eldritch god the Legacy of Kain series, but Frollo is way scarier.

[@infernalone666]

Frollo and the Elder God were two very similar personalities

[@pedrobona]

@@infernalone666 Well, now that you mention it...

[@custardflan]

I'm sorry, but the real classic is 1939 with Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara in Her star turn as Esmerelda. You react to that and. Y head will explode for joy.

[@dcemerald70]

This is truly Disney’s classic, impactful, and darkest film on par with Dreamwork’s The Prince of Egypt. In the stage musical adaption, they actually encourage casting people with disabilities which I am proud that it’s acknowledged and encouraged. I remember seeing a video of a deaf actor playing the role of Quasimodo. As he signed his lyrics, another actor dressed as a gargoyle sang and interpreted the lead’s lines and lyrics. 💚💛🤎💖⛪️🔔

[@88rixadzin88]

Frollo, Scar, Ursula and Jafar are all great VILLANS that would not be allowed today.

[@jeffganlk]

I watched chinese version of this movie when I was a kid. I thought Frollo was a good guy. He got a baby from some bad guys and raised him even though he didn't like the baby. Somehow Frollo didn't like his friend Esmeralda and got into a fight. Quasimodo just wanted to save his friend but Frollo died in the process. 😂 The movie's name in chinese was "The hunchback hero of the bell tower". Before watching the movie, I knew he was the hero. When he got bullied, I was like "Come on, kick their ass! You STRONG!" When Esmeralda fell in love with Phoebus, I was like "Come on, why do you care! You STRONG!" 🤣

[@CrazeeAdam]

Imo Esmeralda is the most beautiful and sexiest Disney heroine ever xD she's just amazing and gorgeous

[@asoiafan]

Of you want to see a masterpiece, I definitely recommend you Prince of Egypt, made by Dreamworks in 1998. Astonishing songs and soundtrack, spectacular traditional hand drawn 2d animation mixed with some CGI, dark, bittersweet story, humane characters, complicated relationships… it goes about Moses’s story but both religious and non religious people can enjoy it.

[@CrazeeAdam]

To this day... I still do not know how this film got away with a G rating... meaning they thought it was okay for kids under 10 to see this film.......... In no way shape or form would I allow a child under the age of like 13 or 14 to watch this? Like it's incredibly dark and the themes are overall pretty adult

[@asoiafan]

If you want an animation masterpiece I definitely recommend you Prince of Egypt, by Dreamworks, made in 1998. Astonishing songs and soundtrack, spectacular traditional hand drawn 2d animation mixed with some CGI, dark and bittersweet story, humane characters, complicated relationships… It is about Moses’s story, but both religious and non religious people can enjoy it.

[@helenahector5910]

You can react to more animated films you never seen ?

[@kaiielle]

I definitely can!

[@joshuagideon7215]

@@kaiielleif you haven’t seen it already, I like to see you react to The Lion King (the animated version)

[@kaiielle]

Can't do that - seen it far too many times since the year it released.

[@helenahector5910]

@@kaiielle So , for example , What animated you dont watched ?

[@kaiielle]

You can browse my Letterboxd profile to see.

[@finnrocket7905]

Would love to see you do a reaction to George Of The Jungle in the future

[@kaiielle]

I've seen that one! A childhood fave.

[@Julini89]

always good with a disney movie. Also Legend of Vox Machina YESSS PLEASE!!!! :D

[@captainhoarse]

FYI You are Incorrect, witch burnings in this era had little to do with the way it's portrayed in this movie. It had much more to do with socio economic and religious issues. In fact women were apparently just as likely to accuse someone of performing witchcraft as men were at the time.

[@Jalynfein]

We need a little more Frollo in this world. In this society that is ashamed of nothing and offended by everything. Not full out Frollo, but 35% - 55%.

[@kaiielle]

Yikes.

[@sonnieandjacob]

Woman do the same thing ya know

[@kaiielle]

I'm aware.

[@normanreviewsgames698]

psst, your male fragility is showing

[@DLoftis227]

20:51 , yes because women are well know for being reasonable and logical when it comes to love/attraction.

[@kaiielle]

Why is it when I talk about men, men have to reply with "But what about the WOMEN?!" 😂 I can sit here and rant about women too, but that wasn't a moment to do it!

[@dadandadandan]

@@kaiielle But is not it about his religous beliefs? The fact that he is delusional comes from believing in his inherent purity, therefore he justifies his sins with these claims.

[@IDLERACER]

😎👍 At the time this film was made, Demi Moore was married to Bruce Willis and was pretty much just as big a celebrity as he was. The brass at Disney understandably thought it would be good for business to have her name on the marquis, even though she wasn't/isn't a singer. Esmeralda's singing voice was provided by an obscure saloon singer named Heidi Mollenhauer and to this day, it remains her only IMDB credit. 🥸 Another really good Disney animated film that was released in 1996 was "James & The Giant Peach," which also features a lot of celebrity vocal talent. 🍑

[@kaiielle]

I love James & The Giant Peach! A childhood fave.