Universal Monsters: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, was the first installment in a long line of Universal Studios monster movies. It was released in 1923, it starred Lon Chaney as Quasimodo and was directed by Wallace Worsley. It was Universal's "Super Jewel" of 1923, being their most successful silent film that year grossing more than $3 million. The story is set in 1482, Paris, France. Quasimodo a deaf, half-blind, hunchback is the bell-ringer for the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral. His master Jehan, the evil brother of the archdeacon Don Claudio conspires for Quasimodo to kidnap Esmeralda, a dancing gypsy girl. Esmeralda is the adopted daughter of Clopin, the leader of the oppressed beggars of Paris' underworld. Captain Phoebus comes to her rescue while Jehan abandons Quasimodo and flees. Phoebus is entranced by Esmeralda and at first seeks a casual romance but that quickly changes and he intends on marrying her even though he is engaged to another. For committing his crime Quasimodo was sentenced to be lashed in the public square. He begs for water and Esmeralda takes pity on him and gives him some. Esmeralda accompanies Phoebus to a ball and realizes she doesn't fit in his world, she sends him a note to meet her so they can say goodbye. Phoebus is stabbed by Jehan in the back on his way to meet her. Esmeralda is falsely sentenced to death for the crime. She is rescued by Quasimodo and brought to the cathedral where she is granted sanctuary. Jehan attempts to take Esmeralda first by deceit and then by force. Meanwhile, Clopin leads his people to storm the cathedral. Quasimodo holds them off with rocks and molten lead. Phoebus, now healed, is alerted and leads his men against the riot.When Quasimodo comes across his master attacking Esmeralda her throws him off the Notre-Dame cathedral. However not before being fatally stabbed in the back. Phoebus finds Esmeralda and embraces her and after witnessing this, Quasimodo rings his own death toll.
This film does not have a happy ending. Almost all the main characters meet their death before the final curtain call. Was Quasimodo in fact a monster though? The real monsters of the film weren't obvious upon first inspection. Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper and see that there is more to a person than what meets the eye. Quasimodo looked different, he looked like a monster but he wasn't one. He was misunderstood. The real villain of the movie, the real protagonist of the film was his master who orchestrated Quasimodo to do his bidding. Jehan was the real monster. He may not have looked the part, but he certainly acted the part. He was a disgusting character using Quasimodo like a pawn in a game of chess, then he did the same to Esmeralda when he stabbed Phoebus, he let her take the blame. He didn't take responsibility for his actions, he always had someone else take the fall, or do his bidding. He was a villain in his own right, a true monster: human.