Hunchback Of Notre Dame - To Go, or Not To Go?
Before attending the advance screening for this animated adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, I read advance comments by some of the top film critics. Everyone, including myself, was skeptical of how Disney planned to make a children's fairy tale out of a story about a brutalized, disfigured orphan who is not only not transformed into a handsome prince, he doesn't even ride into the sunset with the girl of his dreams. No happy ending? What was the Disney team thinking? In the first place, they were apparently not thinking only of the children. Instead, they were taking a risk by tackling a complex subject in a manner that would entertain family members of all ages. They did a nearly superb job. The only audience they missed was the under-seven-year-old set. I agree with co-director, Kirk Wise who said this film should more appropriately be rated "G-7."
Literary purists will probably protest the screen writers' alterations from Hugo's original work. I'm generally more tolerant of a few variations between book and screen where literature is concerned. I am not so forgiving when film makers take to revising historical facts as they did in Disney's Pocahontas.
The animation in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was brilliant. From the rich Gothic architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral set against the Paris skies, to the intriguing ensemble of characters -- everything was there to draw the audience into an enchanting world created totally by pen and paint. As for the characters themselves, physically deformed Quasimodo is downright huggable by the end of the first musical number as he helps a baby bird fly to a freedom that he himself has yet to experience.
His wacky sidekicks, three stone gargoyles -- Victor, Hugo, and Laverne (in honor of the Andrews sisters) -- come to life and provide plenty of comic relief between some pretty intense scenes. One particularly touching scene is of the gypsy girl, Esmeralda who received sanctuary in the Cathedral as protection from Quasimodo's wicked caretaker, Frollo. She sang a deeply spiritual song called, God Save the Outcasts. During one line of her song, Esmeralda addresses a statue of Madonna and Child with the poignant words, "I look into your face and wonder, were you an outcast, too?" This is the first time I ever recall witnessing a blatantly religious scene in any Disney animated feature. What's more, the story team treated the often-mocked subject with due reverence. In a rather intense scene reminiscent of Fantasia, the evil Frollo sings about his lustful desire for Esmeralda. During the song, Hellfire he contemplates the consequences of his sinful attitude, and begs God for help. Some secular film critics felt this segment was too dark for an animated movie. This is not surprising since the World is often uncomfortable when confronted with the horrors of sin. However, I feel that this scene could provide a useful opportunity for a Christian mom or dad to discuss this vital, but delicate subject with their child.
I guess I've covered the important points about this new Disney film without spoiling many delightful and suspenseful surprises for those of you who will go see it. And, you should go see it.
SIDEBAR TO CHRISTIANS:
OK, SO THE HUNCHBACK IS A FINE MOVIE. WHAT ABOUT THE BOYCOTT?
"Should I spend my money supporting movies made by a corporation under attack by the largest Christian denomination in America?"
Since you asked me. . . Yes. I believe that boycotts should be activity or product specific where possible. If you oppose Disney's corporate fringe benefits policies for same sex partners, don't apply there for a job. If you object to an activity they permit at their theme parks like Gay Pride Day, don't attend. If you disapprove of a particular movie they release, don't buy a ticket or rent the video. Instead, financially support those things they do or make that you want to see more of.
Organizing a company-wide boycott is something like committing spiritual capital punishment -- starving an unbeliever rather than saving him. Can we expect a non-Christian to embrace God's ways before he's saved? Shouldn't we build bridges to reach him with the truth? What point is there in cutting him off before the truth has been revealed to him?
What if we actually did boycott the Walt Disney Company into bankruptcy? We would have succeeded in ruining the largest single supplier of family entertainment in history. That would certainly be a hollow victory.
I call on all Christians from all denominations to rally together and reach out to the Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM/UA, MCA/Universal Pictures and every other studio and film production company with encouragement and support for wholesome, godly entertainment. The law of supply and demand is one of God's laws, too. It's up to us to make it work for the Kingdom.
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Dick Rolfe is Chairman of The Dove Foundation a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and promote the creation, production and distribution of wholesome family entertainment. For more information about wholesome films and videos, write: 535 E. Fulton, Suite 1A, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or call (616)454-5024.
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