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This month is the 25th anniversary of Disney’s the Hunchback of Notre Dame. So we thought, what better time to take a look back at this very strange entry in the 90s Disney renaissance. Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, the Lion King, and Pocahontas was such a run for the traditional animation coming out of Disney. Then they took this extremely dark gothic tale and Disney-fied it just enough to not be completely horrifying.
The one thing overflowing from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, besides molten oil of course, is DRAMA. From the first note you hear of this musical you know you’re going on a ride. As Wil demonstrates, it’s quite bombastic, but fitting in a way. Obviously the dark themes of the story can’t just be scrubbed away by Disney the way they did with Little Mermaid. Hunchback is extremely grim. It was interesting to revisit just because of how shocking it is. We don’t remember it being this nuts, but at least it helped Wil realize where his fascination with hangings comes from.
So where do you stand on the Hunchback of Notre Dame? Is it among the Disney classics listed above, or is it the odd standout that doesn’t quite work? Let us know over on Twitter or in the YouTube comments! This is a weird one so we want ALL your takes. For now though, grab some stone friends and beware the EYES OF NOTRE DAAAAAAME on today’s episode of So…I’m Watching This Show!
