Review: 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' Still a Silent Classic on 4K

Should it be surprising that a 100-minute silent film from 1923 is still a riveting sit? I shamefully admit I had never seen the famous Lon Chaney version (or any version for that matter) of the classic Victor Hugo novel, so it was a treat to watch Kino Classic's fantastic 4k restoration, which apparently grossed more than any other silent for Universal Pictures (and cost more to make).

For anyone living under a rock (and that would include me), the basic and super-busy plot takes place in 1482 Paris, where we are introduced to the tragically bullied, deaf, and part-blind Quasimodo (Chaney), who is the bell-ringer in the Notre Dame Cathedral. Our semi-scary but sympathetic protagonist becomes enamored with lovely street performer Esmerelda (Patsy Ruth Miller), the adopted daughter of a nasty beggar, Clopin (Ernest Torrence), who secretly lusts after her. But Esmerelda is smitten with the swashbuckling Captain Phoebus (Norman Kerry). Alas, they are not of the same class. Quasimodo was raised by the Archdeacon (Nigel De Brulier), who protects him, but the Archdeacon has an evil brother (Brandon Hurst) who is also after Esmerelda. As I said, it's a busy plot with way too many characters, and I haven't even mentioned the Queen of the Gypsies...

As much as I may not have been familiar with all the story, I did have images blazed on my brain such as Quasimodo carrying Esmerelda up the tower. The film re-creates moments like that one, and the entire denouement, with such epic finery that it's amazing it was filmed close to 100 years ago. Kudos to director Wallace Worsley (after Eric von Stroheim was apparently fired by Irving Thalberg) for such spectacular moments.

The performances are what you expect from silent screen actors, overdone and broad, except for Miller, who manages some nuance.

Lon Chaney, however, is extraordinary, delivering a portrayal of great depth that demands empathy. He is simply beguiling.

The Blu-ray visuals show some lines, but how could it not? Apparently, only 16mm prints exist, so the fact that it looks so good is an astonishing feat. And, we are privy to tinted sequences.

The Special Features include an eight-minute short, "Life in Hollywood," with some footage of silent screen stars of the day including Baby Peggy, Reginald Denny, and Lon Chaney without makeup for the very first time. There are also 13 minutes of home footage of Chaney and his family, as well as slideshows and publicity material.

An audio commentary by film critic Farran Smith Nehme provides tons of info on all aspects of the film and its various adaptations.

There's a reason why "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is considered one of the best silent films of all time. That reason is Lon Chaney.

Blu-ray Extras Include: