The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1956)

Set in 15th century Paris,  a gypsy dancer (Gina Lollobrigida) draws the attention (or should I say lust?) of several men including the Captain (Jean Danet) of the King's archers,  a struggling poet (Robert Hirsch),  the Archdeacon (Alain Cuny) of Notre Dame and cathedral's misshapen bell ringer (Anthony Quinn). Based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo and directed by Jean Delannoy (LA MINUTE DE VERITE). Of all the many filmed adaptations of the Hugo novel,  this version remains the most faithful to the source material. Physically,  Gina Lollobrigida is a perfect Esmeralda (certainly more believable than the Irish Maureen O'Hara of the 1939 film) so it's a pity that her difficulty with the English language prevents her from becoming the definitive Esmeralda. As Quasimodo,  Anthony Quinn downplays the "monster"aspects of the character. His hunchback is perceptively small and his face is not as disfigured as Charles Laughton's was in the 1939 version. The film (shot in CinemaScope and Technicolor) looks great thanks to cinematographer Michel Kelber (Renoir's FRENCH CAN-CAN) and there's an effective underscore by Georges Auric. Altogether,  a fine adaptation. With Philippe Clay,  Jean Tissier and Danielle Dumont.