Sailing away from The New World, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are drawn in by the sound of clanging Parisian bells for a gothic twisted tale of monsters and men in 1996’s The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Joining them to discuss one of the darkest films of the Disney Renaissance is master of the macabre (and all-round lovely guy) Mike Muncer, of The Evolution Of Horror podcast – stopping by to talk murder, morality, and musical motifs. Together, this intrepid trio discuss the story behind Victor Hugo’s novel, the film’s fire-and-brimstone energy (and imagery), that jaw-droppingly daring opening sequence, Alan Menken’s imperious score, a weird TikTok sound mash-up, and Jeffrey Katzenberg’s proposed starry casting that never made the screen. All that, and the heartbreaking question is posed: are those gargoyles actually alive or not? Start up the clanging chimes of doom!

Next up: Hercules

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.