DVDizzy Forum

ProfessorRatigan wrote:I couldn't be happier that it's coming to Broadway at last... But, I can't help but feel, as a major fan of the original film and one of its steadfast defenders, that they're kind of letting us down by distancing themselves from the film so much. Like, "Oh, THAT piece of shit? The one you guys have loved and stood by all these years? Well, we're going to go in a DRASTIC direction from THAT." I don't know. I just wish they'd STAND UP for their original vision, instead of trying to cater to the Hugo purists, who are going to hate this regardless of what they do (which is ironic, considering that Victor Hugo HIMSELF adapted Hunchback into an opera that made even bigger changes to the source material than DISNEY'S did. Not only did Esmeralda live in the opera 'La Esmeralda,' but Frollo did as well. And Phoebus, who SURVIVES in the book, dies. It's WAY more drastic than anything Disney did, but ssh, don't tell the book's fans...)

In short, I hated nearly every character in that damned book. I like the Disney version BECAUSE it's the Disney version and not an exact replica of the book. We all ready HAVE the damned book. If you want that version of the story, READ IT! It's there. So, why not stay truer to the spirit of the animated film? This is all speculation, of course, based upon what I've read of the changes that have been made. Some of them (explicitly making Frollo a former priest), I'm TOTALLY down with. But, cutting the Gargoyles? Changing Clopin so radically? Killing Esmeralda? I can't say these are making me anything other than anxious.

DisneyFan09 wrote:

ProfessorRatigan wrote:I couldn't be happier that it's coming to Broadway at last... But, I can't help but feel, as a major fan of the original film and one of its steadfast defenders, that they're kind of letting us down by distancing themselves from the film so much. Like, "Oh, THAT piece of shit? The one you guys have loved and stood by all these years? Well, we're going to go in a DRASTIC direction from THAT." I don't know. I just wish they'd STAND UP for their original vision, instead of trying to cater to the Hugo purists, who are going to hate this regardless of what they do (which is ironic, considering that Victor Hugo HIMSELF adapted Hunchback into an opera that made even bigger changes to the source material than DISNEY'S did. Not only did Esmeralda live in the opera 'La Esmeralda,' but Frollo did as well. And Phoebus, who SURVIVES in the book, dies. It's WAY more drastic than anything Disney did, but ssh, don't tell the book's fans...)

In short, I hated nearly every character in that damned book. I like the Disney version BECAUSE it's the Disney version and not an exact replica of the book. We all ready HAVE the damned book. If you want that version of the story, READ IT! It's there. So, why not stay truer to the spirit of the animated film? This is all speculation, of course, based upon what I've read of the changes that have been made. Some of them (explicitly making Frollo a former priest), I'm TOTALLY down with. But, cutting the Gargoyles? Changing Clopin so radically? Killing Esmeralda? I can't say these are making me anything other than anxious.

Hey there, ProfessorRatigan. I'm writing a blog entry about the stage adaptation of this movie. Just wondering, could I use your words in my entry?

ProfessorRatigan wrote:Oh, wow. Sorry, I JUST saw this! Yes, you may! But I have to say: this post was written QUITE some time ago (well before the soundtrack to the stage-show was released). I have since actually gotten to listen to it and, while I think it has SOME minor issues, I couldn't be more happy with how Hunchback was handled for the stage. My anxieties were overblown, but, Hunchback, the original Disney film, means more to me than I can put into words (though that hasn't stopped me from typing endlessly about it, as many forum members here will surely attest! ).

DisneyFan09 wrote:

ProfessorRatigan wrote:Oh, wow. Sorry, I JUST saw this! Yes, you may! But I have to say: this post was written QUITE some time ago (well before the soundtrack to the stage-show was released). I have since actually gotten to listen to it and, while I think it has SOME minor issues, I couldn't be more happy with how Hunchback was handled for the stage. My anxieties were overblown, but, Hunchback, the original Disney film, means more to me than I can put into words (though that hasn't stopped me from typing endlessly about it, as many forum members here will surely attest! ).

It's okay, you have a life after all. But I can give you the link to my entry, if you want to read it and I could change it;
http://mydisneyanalysis.blogspot.no/201 ... ck-of.html

ProfessorRatigan wrote:Look, mom, I'm internet-famous!

Great write-up. Thanks for the shout-out!

JeanGreyForever wrote:I'm glad she (Ciara Renee) hasn't completely left the role behind yet. I loved her performance and especially how similar she sounded to Disney's Esmeralda.