The Hunchback of Notre Dame
King Louis XI is a wise and old king and Frollo is the Chief Justice. Frollo gazes on the gypsy girl, Esmeralda, in the church during Fool's Day and sends Quasimodo to catch her. Quasimodo, with the girl, is captured by Phoebus, Captain of the Guards, who frees the girl. The courts sentence Quasimodo to be flogged, and the only one who will give him water while he is tied in the square is Esmeralda. Later, at a party of nobles, Esmeralda again meets both Frollo, who is bewitched by her, and Phoebus. When Phoebus is stabbed to death, Esmeralda is accused of the murder, convicted by the court and sentenced to hang. Clopin, King of the Beggars; Gringoire, Esmeralda's husband; and Quasimodo, the bellringer, all try different ways to save her from the gallows.
Despite its modest budget of $1.8M, The Hunchback of Notre Dame became a solid performer, earning $6.9M worldwide—a 282% return. The film's distinctive approach resonated with audiences, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 1 win & 2 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of William Dieterle's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The printing press is unveiled in 15th century Paris, symbolizing the coming age of enlightenment. King Louis XI celebrates progress while the city teems with life below, establishing the world of medieval Paris with its stark divisions between nobility and commoners.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Frollo orders his guards to arrest Esmeralda for witchcraft and disturbing the peace with her dancing. She escapes into Notre Dame, claiming sanctuary, but this event sets in motion the conflict. Frollo's obsession with Esmeralda begins, and the persecution of the gypsies intensifies.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Frollo orchestrates a trap for Esmeralda by having her lured outside the sanctuary. Phoebus is stabbed (falsely attributed to Esmeralda), and she is arrested for attempted murder and witchcraft. This false defeat raises the stakes dramatically - the sanctuary is breached, and Esmeralda faces execution. The fun is over., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Esmeralda is led to the gallows in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. The noose is placed around her neck. This is the "whiff of death" - the protagonist faces literal execution. Quasimodo watches in anguish, seemingly too late to act. All hope appears lost as the moment of death arrives., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The finale. Frollo attempts to stab Esmeralda in the cathedral. Quasimodo fights Frollo on the rooftops and parapets of Notre Dame. The symbolic confrontation between cruelty and compassion, hypocrisy and authenticity. Quasimodo hurls Frollo from the heights to his death. Order is restored. Esmeralda reunites with the recovered Phoebus., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Hunchback of Notre Dame's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Hunchback of Notre Dame against these established plot points, we can identify how William Dieterle utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Hunchback of Notre Dame within the drama genre.
William Dieterle's Structural Approach
Among the 2 William Dieterle films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Hunchback of Notre Dame exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete William Dieterle filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more William Dieterle analyses, see A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The printing press is unveiled in 15th century Paris, symbolizing the coming age of enlightenment. King Louis XI celebrates progress while the city teems with life below, establishing the world of medieval Paris with its stark divisions between nobility and commoners.
Theme
Clopin the beggar king speaks about the nature of justice and mercy, questioning who are the real monsters in society. This establishes the film's central theme: true beauty and humanity lie within, not in outward appearance or social status.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the world of Notre Dame Cathedral and Paris. We meet Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer hidden in the tower by the austere Chief Justice Frollo. The Festival of Fools is announced, and we see Esmeralda dancing in the streets with her goat Djali. The rigid class structure and Frollo's cruel authority are established.
Disruption
Frollo orders his guards to arrest Esmeralda for witchcraft and disturbing the peace with her dancing. She escapes into Notre Dame, claiming sanctuary, but this event sets in motion the conflict. Frollo's obsession with Esmeralda begins, and the persecution of the gypsies intensifies.
Resistance
Quasimodo is coaxed down from the tower to participate in the Festival of Fools, where he is crowned King of Fools. The celebration turns cruel when the crowd pelts him with garbage. Esmeralda shows him kindness by giving him water, the first compassion he has ever received. This section explores Quasimodo's internal debate about the world beyond his tower.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of the cathedral sanctuary. Quasimodo shows Esmeralda the bells and his world high above Paris. Captain Phoebus courts Esmeralda, creating a love triangle. Frollo's obsession deepens as he struggles between his desire and his religious rigidity. The promise of the premise: exploring themes of beauty, deformity, and societal hypocrisy.
Midpoint
Frollo orchestrates a trap for Esmeralda by having her lured outside the sanctuary. Phoebus is stabbed (falsely attributed to Esmeralda), and she is arrested for attempted murder and witchcraft. This false defeat raises the stakes dramatically - the sanctuary is breached, and Esmeralda faces execution. The fun is over.
Opposition
Esmeralda is tortured and tried. Frollo offers to save her if she submits to him, but she refuses. She is condemned to death. Quasimodo is helpless in the tower, watching. The gypsies plan a rescue. Frollo's villainy intensifies, and all forces close in. King Louis XI refuses to intervene. Everything grows darker.
Collapse
Esmeralda is led to the gallows in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. The noose is placed around her neck. This is the "whiff of death" - the protagonist faces literal execution. Quasimodo watches in anguish, seemingly too late to act. All hope appears lost as the moment of death arrives.
Crisis
Quasimodo swings down on a rope and rescues Esmeralda from the scaffold at the last second, carrying her to Notre Dame while crying "Sanctuary!" The mob attacks the cathedral. This dark section shows the breakdown of civilization as the crowd storms the church and Frollo's complete moral collapse as he orders the attack.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale. Frollo attempts to stab Esmeralda in the cathedral. Quasimodo fights Frollo on the rooftops and parapets of Notre Dame. The symbolic confrontation between cruelty and compassion, hypocrisy and authenticity. Quasimodo hurls Frollo from the heights to his death. Order is restored. Esmeralda reunites with the recovered Phoebus.