Apparently whilst Quasimodo rings the massive bells for Esmerelda, the director receives news of the outbreak of war in Europe and is so stunned he neglects to call 'Cut!' Laughton finally stops with fatigue and also learns of the shattering news. Later at Cannes later that year it is the only film to screen because the festival is cancelled immediately afterwards upon news of Germany entering Poland. Against this background a romanticised film of the classic novel of Victor Hugo would seem to have little chance and yet despite some unnecessarily dramatised in fighting and the apparent need to have no less than four people declare their love for Maureen O'Hara's character, the magnificence of the sets and the stunning choreography of the crowds ensure that the viewer's attention is maintained. It helps, of course, that O'Hara looks as pretty and performs as solidly as she does in her American debut and that Charles Laughton just happens to turn in what is probably his finest ever performance. Everything about every moment Laughton is on screen seems perfect. His look is helped by the outstanding make-up but the director does not shie from close-ups because the actor is forever utilising mouth and lips and visible eye to convey his anger and concern, his pain and his joy. His physical movement too is remarkable whether he is scampering this way and that or scrambling to climb and ring his beloved bells. A remarkable achievement by all concerned, if just a little soppy here and there.