The Bells of Notre Dame was released in 1996 and directed by Gary Trousdale. Expressing the darkness and light of people’s hearts, the film is still loved by many for its unique characters, heartbreaking Academy Award-nominated music, and breathtakingly beautiful images. It is also a very popular musical performance by the Shiki Theatre Company.

The film is inspired by Paris at the end of the 15th century. In the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral, which stands in the center of the city, lives a bellringer named Casimodo. Kind-hearted and confined to the tower because of his ugly appearance, he grows up with three stone statues as his friends. On the day of the annual festival, his longing grows as he watches the revelry of the outside world, and he finally escapes from the bell tower. He meets Esmeralda, a beautiful dancer, and is chosen to be the king of the clowns on stage. While people ridicule Casimodo’s appearance, Esmeralda defends him. Then, Casimodo struggles not to give her to Frollo in order to save her from being targeted by Frollo, the powerful man of the city. At the conclusion, Frollo falls to his death from Notre Dame Cathedral in the wrath of God. Esmeralda discriminated and oppressed, and Casimodo, the protagonist, isolated from the world because of his ugly appearance, fall for each other as weak people and become friends, but they never develop into a romantic relationship. Eventually, he stepped aside to let Phoebus and Esmeralda, who had fallen in love with each other, get along. However, his victory over the cruel Frollo ends in a happy ending, and he is accepted by the people of the city.

The film contains the message that people are not what they appear to be, but what is inside them. In fact, one of the songs featured in the film has the lyrics ”What makes a monster, and what makes a human being? ”’ in the song that appears in the film, appealing to viewers about the importance of what makes a human being. It also insists on the importance of always trying to act compassionately, like the main character, Casimodo. This is a film that, when viewed when you are feeling down, will make you switch your mind to a positive one.

Please watch it!