The Hunchback of Notre Dame | 1923 | Drama Epic

Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame | 1923 | Drama Epic Director: Wallace Worsley Studio: Universal Pictures Starring: Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry, Nigel de Brulier, Brandon Hurst, Ernest Torrence Based on: Novel *Notre-Dame de Paris* by Victor Hugo Release Date: September 2 1923 Runtime: Approximately 102 minutes (multiple versions exist) Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Drama Historical Epic --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Paris and the Feast of Fools 00:10:00 Quasimodo crowned Pope of Fools 00:20:00 Esmeralda’s introduction 00:35:00 Jehan’s plot and abduction attempt 00:50:00 Quasimodo’s mercy and bond with Esmeralda 01:05:00 Phoebus and the love triangle 01:20:00 Trial and sanctuary at Notre Dame 01:35:00 Siege and tragic resolution --- Summary: The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1923 American silent drama adapted from Victor Hugo’s classic 1831 novel, set in 15th-century Paris. The story centers on Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, whose isolation and suffering evoke both fear and sympathy. When the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda captivates the city, Quasimodo’s complex emotions lead him to acts of loyalty and mercy amid intrigue and betrayal. As court politics and love interests collide, the film blends grand spectacle, human drama, and tragic romance. Lon Chaney’s iconic performance and transformative makeup brought emotional depth and visual impact to the medieval tale, helping define the studio’s early epic cinema. --- Background: Directed by Wallace Worsley and produced by Universal Pictures with Carl Laemmle and Irving Thalberg, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was one of the most ambitious and expensive silent films of its time. Known as a “Universal Super Jewel,” it featured expansive sets that recreated 15th-century Paris and elevated Lon Chaney to major stardom. The film’s success helped shape Universal’s reputation for large-scale productions and influenced later horror and historical epics in Hollywood. --- Trivia: The Hunchback of Notre Dame was Universal’s most successful silent film, grossing millions worldwide. Lon Chaney designed much of his own Quasimodo makeup, establishing his reputation as “The Man of a Thousand Faces.” The film’s original footage included color-tinted sequences common in silent cinema; surviving prints derive from later 16mm copies. The epic sets covering acres of Universal’s back lot were among the largest constructed in the silent era. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: September 2 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Universal Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Yes (entered public domain in 1951) --- Hashtags: #HunchbackOfNotreDame #LonChaney #1923Film #SilentFilm #Universal #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain