The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Bristol Cathedral

DOORS: 19:30 | FILM STARTS: 20:00

Bristol Cathedral hosts an atmospheric centenary screening of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame this March. Join Bristol Film Festival after dusk in this magnificent building to watch this piece of cinema history come to life. The film will be accompanied by a live, entirely improvised organ recital by the award-winning composer Dr. David Bednall, blending silent cinema with live music to create a unique performance that promises to bring the film to life in a dramatic new interpretation.

This landmark adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel was Universal’s most successful silent film release of all time, launching Lon Chaney to superstardom and paving the way for the development of both big-budget blockbusters and the horror genre. Although 15 minutes of the director’s cut has been lost to time, the surviving film has been carefully digitally restored, and we are thrilled to be presenting this restoration alongside another of David Bednall's incredible improvised scores.

1923 | PG | 100 mins

In 15th Century Paris, the deformed bellringer Quasimodo tends to the great Notre Dame cathedral. However, when his evil master bids him kidnap a beautiful dancing girl called Esmerelda, Quasimodo becomes embroiled in a bitter political power struggle - and a complex web of relationships - which leaves his formerly humble life changed forever.

Contains some mild violence

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Founded in 1140 as an Augustinian Abbey, Bristol Cathedral is one of England’s greatest medieval churches. Its Chapter House and Abbey Gatehouse date from c. 1260, and the Cathedral’s East End is considered to be one of the finest examples of medieval ‘hall church’.

Music is central to the life of the Cathedral, and its organ dates back to 1685 - only undergoing its first complete restoration in 1989. The Cathedral’s ongoing Organ Renovation Project aims to ensure that this magnificent instrument exists at the heart of the building for years to come.