It isn't until nearly the end of the film where the wonderful Anthony Hopkins really gets to show his acting talents as Quasimodo in this nearly excellent version of the Victor Hugo novel that had several versions filmed already. Throughout most of the film, he is either paraded around to look like a fool, tortured and whipped, or left alone in his bell tower making weird sounds as the bells toll. It's only after he has kidnapped the character of Esmeralda, rescuing her from execution, that he really gets to communicate, earlier only having groaned in agony or repeating his name over and over. The last 20 minutes of the film for him are excellent and that's when you really feel that Hopkins has gotten something juicy to do.

The always commanding Derek Jacobi is brilliant as tortured monk Dom Claude Frollo, in the prologue doing something kind by saving Quasimodo from certain death for being born disfigured. But as the years go by, his hidden character is revealed, particularly his lust for gypsy girl Esmeralda (Lesley Anne Downe),and that leads him to a series of evil actions that torture his soul is in as he finds he can't stop doing them. His jealousy over everybody who fall in loves with her even leads him to attempted murder.

Of course Esmeralda, being a common gypsy girl, ends up on trial for his crimes, and it's only Quasimodo appearing at the last minute to rescue her that saves her life. Frollo gives her the option of saving herself, blaming her for his lust and not taking responsibility for his actions. Cameos by Nigel Hawthorne as the judge in Esmeralda's trial and John Gielgud as the monk in charge of her torture are a mixed bag. Gielgud just sits there repeating "Again!" over and over, a complete waste has his presence on screen. Other than that, this is a brilliant rendition of the often done tail, colorful and haunting, and another expose on the obsession of power and lust of people in power throughout history.

I love the book, and I love the 1939 film which I found beautifully made, memorably performed and very poignant and the Disney film for while it is not a true adaptation the animation and music more than make up for me and Frollo is one of Disney's most interesting characters.

This Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation is not as good as these two in my view, but it is one of the truer adaptations of the book especially in its depiction of Frollo. Two scenes didn't work for me, the Festival of Fools scene which was in need of much more jollity and the Court of Miracles scene which while well acted and set lacked intensity.

However, two scenes in particular did stand out as very powerful, the angry mob scene which is one of the more vivid depictions of that particular scene of any film based on the classic novel and the ending which killed me emotionally.

This Hunchback of Notre Dame does look gorgeous with excellent photography and sumptuous costumes and settings, though I kind of agree that black and white would have given it a more Gothic tone. The story still maintains its emotional impact, the script is thoughtful and literate and Ken Thorne's music is memorable and never too obtrusive.

The acting is spot on. Lesley-Anne Downe is a breathtakingly beautiful and sensual Esmeralda and David Suchet in a role completely different to his Poirot persona(quite a shock if you ask me) is a grotesque Clopin. Anthony Hopkins is a poignant Quasimodo, but it was Derek Jacobi who nails his tortured and complex character that made the adaptation for me.

In conclusion, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This glossy US television version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame followed a well worn formula of that era.

Round up as many well known British thespians who prefer theatre and shower them with money to appear.

Get a few veterans who have an Oscar for a little cameo. So that's Sir John Gielgud sorted.

He is not the only knight in this movie, others would get one later. Sir Nigel Hawthorne has a small role. The main parts are reserved for Sir Derek Jacobi as the priest Frollo who is bewitched by gypsy woman Esmeralda (Lesley-Anne Down.)

Quasimodo (Sir Anthony Hopkins) is the disfigured hunchback who is mocked by the people of Notre Dame.

Strangely Quasimodo has a reduced role here. He only appears sporadically in the first half of the movie.

The film steps up the moment Frollo glimpses Esmeralda and is enchanted by her. It drives him to madness and cruelty.

This is certainly a more campy reworking than one that should had been a gothic horror/romance. In that sense it wasted its cast.

Interestingly two fishwives who appear, Pam St Clement and June Brown would later find fame in Eastenders.