MovieChat Forums > The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Discussion > Should this movie have actually killed E...

Should this movie have actually killed Esmerelda off?

posted 10 years ago by JJdaPK
12 replies | jump to latest

I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand Esmerelda is my favorite Disney heroine and I wouldn't want to see her die. I also think it would potentially make the movie too depressing for most children.

But at the same time, something about the ending as is just doesn't sit right with me. In addition to the fact that fake-out deaths are a cheap way of creating drama, I have a really have a hard time buying that Quasimodo would just suddenly give Esmerelda and Pheobus his blessing and smile as they kissed each other. It just felt really out of character for him to be so happy for them and to suddenly act like his romantic feelings for her were no longer existent.

I'm fine with Esmerelda choosing Pheobus over Quasi since its realistic, but I will agree with those who say it does create the impression that only the hot guy can get the hot girl (which may be true, but its a bad message for kids). I think killing Esmerelda would have alleviated this problem. If she died, it would mean that neither Quasimodo or Pheobus could end up with her and it would make the whole issue of who she would choose irrelevant since viewers would be more preoccupied mourning Esmerelda's death than nitpicking the messages of the movie.

If she died, the movie could have shown Quasimodo and Pheobus bonding over their loss and end on a bittersweet note. For example Quasimodo could lament about how he feels like he failed Esmerelda in not being able to save her, but then Pheobus could point out that he didn't fail her because his actions saved Esmerelda's people (the gypsies). The final scene could end like it does in the actual movie with the crowd cheering for Quasimodo for saving the city.

[–] Duragizer 10 years ago

Killing Esmerelda off would have made for a stronger ending.

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[–] JZaluzec 10 years ago

That is the plan for the Hunchback of Notre Dame musical...which better come to Broadway soon then come to Kennedy Center in D.C. where I am ;-).

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunchback_of_Notre_Dame_(musical)

[–] Angelpi92 10 years ago

IMO, no. Disney was already pushing the envelope with so many things in this film and killing Esmeralda would have been too depressing.

I am really excited for the musical. Is it going to be under the "Disney" name? That would be cool to have a slightly darker version (as long as they keep the songs aha)

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[–] mtman318 10 years ago

I think it would work either way. In my opinion, if she actually died in this movie, it would be the saddest death in a Disney animated film.

My only problem with how the movie stands, regarding this part, is how fast Esmeralda's transition from "dead" to alive happens. I don't know, it just seems emotionally jarring when compared to the previous scene. One alternative could perhaps have her regain consciousness off-screen and going out when Frollo is trying to kill Quasimodo out on the balcony (or shortly after he falls).

I thought Quasi giving his blessing to them was done well.

[–] number9-4 10 years ago

I always thought it was almost kind of low how they made it seem like she was for sure dead, then brought her back. I remember as a kid thinking she really did die, and being shocked. So I guess I just think having her almost die by being burned at the stake, then rescued, was enough drama, and having her be unconscious to the point of Quasi thinking she was dead was just too much of a "Gotcha." But they needed Quasi's anger to really peak for him to confront Frollo. Though it could be argued he would have been angry enough about him trying to burn her at the stake, it makes a little more sense that he'd sort of snap over Esmeralda dying. So maybe it works the way it was.

And I agree with Angelpi - this movie was already so dramatic and so envelope-pushing for Disney, I think it would have been way too much for it to also have a tragic ending. Esmeralda choosing Phoebus over Quasi was the perfect bittersweet end for a movie that's dark and sad, but also inspirational - a little heartwrenching, but still overall happy. As much as I love this movie, if she'd died, I'm not even sure I'd want to rewatch it. Other than when I need a good cry. It would just be too much of an emotional experience.

[–] BoyWiththeGreenHair 10 years ago

I actually couldn't help but wonder if people who had read the book and saw the movie for the first time sat there watching Esmeralda's "death" and thinking "wow... they actually did it - I didn't think they would but they did" or "oh, so they're going to go there, huh?"

Its understandable that they not only couldn't they go so far as to "kill" a (at the time) prospective "Disney Princess" but also needed a more climactic moment than just having Frollo get "pushed off the balcony" as happens in the book. Certainly the chosen end provides for that level of adrenaline and excitement.

But, had they gone through with it, I can even go so far as to say this death would have been more traumatic than even Mufasa's death, for kids anyway. If only because of the buildup to it, and the reason for it (sibling rivalry vs. blind lust and needless racism).

[–] velcronewsletter 10 years ago

mixed feelings indeed. i think she should have died but maybe it would be too much for the audience in the end

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[–] norman-dostal 10 years ago

Thematically there was no reason for her to die so she lived-pretty simple

[–] NobodymournstheWicked 8 years ago

That is no way going to happen in a Disney movie where the a=main hero or heroine will be killed off in a movie

[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 8 years ago

I read in the trivia section that Quasimodo was suppose to die but that was cut since it was deemed too depressing and I believe that even fans of the book thought it was better Quasi survived this version. I never saw the Chaney version but I've read Esmeralda survives it but Quasi dies and in the Laughton version, both Quasi and Esmeralda survive. Like the Disney version, the Laughton version has a happy ending. So I guess if the 1939 version could have a happy ending it's only natural the Disney version has a happy ending. I also never saw the Anthony Quinn version, but I heard both Quasi and Esmeralda die in it.

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[–] watcher101 8 years ago

Killing off either Quasi or Esmerelda would have been way too dark and tragic for a Disney movie (even by modern Disney movie standards). Hell, the movie was already incredibly dark. Frankly, I'm shocked it got away with a G rating. I remember seeing it as a kid and being terrified at certain parts.

[–] NobodymournstheWicked 7 years ago

No as you don't see too many (if any) of the main hero or heroine characters killed off, now any one of their parent(s) that is a different story.