Claude Frollo - Adaptations

Adaptations

The novel has been adapted to film on numerous occasions. The most interesting change perhaps comes from the 1923 silent film version, in which Frollo isn't the villain at all; instead, he is a good archdeacon, and the villain of the film is actually his younger brother Jehan. The 1939 adaptation also had its own obvious changes, with Frollo as a Judge rather than an Archdeacon and having the given name of his brother (Jehan) rather than Claude. This version of the story is said to be what most influenced the 1996 Disney adaptation, which had the same conditions aside from the name change. Many conclude that such changes were made to avoid a negative reaction from religious organizations. Typically, the adaptations omit Frollo's capacity for compassion, adding a selfish interpretation to his adoption of Quasimodo that is not present in Hugo's novel.