The film is based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It is notable for the grand sets that recall 15th century Paris as well as for Chaney's performance and make-up as Quasimodo, tortured bell-ringer of Notre Dame de Paris. The film elevated Chaney, already a well-known character actor, to full star status in Hollywood, and also helped set a standard for many later horror films, including Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film) in 1925. In 1951, the film entered the List of films in the public domain in the United States due to the claimants failure to renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.
The story is set in Paris, France.
Quasimodo is a deaf, half-blind, Kyphosis bell-ringer of the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. His master, Jehan Frollo, the evil brother of the saintly archdeacon, Dom (title) Claude Frollo, prevails upon him to kidnap Esméralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), a dancing Romani people girl and the adopted daughter of Clopin, the king of the oppressed beggars of Paris' underworld. The dashing Captain Phoebus rescues Esmeralda from Quasimodo, while Jehan abandons him and flees. At first seeking a casual romance, Phoebus becomes entranced by Esmeralda, and takes her under his wing.
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