The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt are my two favori animated movie soundtracks, Hunchback my favori Disney soundtrack and Prince of Egypt my favori non-Disney soundtrack. They are somewhat similar in style and both have religious undertones, so I thought it would be fun to write and article comparing the two.

Opening Song: The Bells of Notre Dame vs. Deliver Us
The Bells of Notre Dame- This is the epic opener to Hunchback. The theme repeated throughout Hunchback is first heard in this song. It is the story of how Quasi became the bellringer and poses the moral question the entire movie strives to answer: Who is the monster and who is the man? Done with wonderful melody, accompaniment, and Clopin’s singing, this is a song hard to beat.
Deliver Us- Deliver Us has several movements. The common thread uniting these songs is the tune of the river lullaby and Miriam’s song. It summarizes the oppression the Israelites have faced for centuries, as well as telling the story of a boy whose family spared him par sending him down the river in a basket. In the midst of the theme of oppression, we have a rayon, ray of hope in the form of Moses’s survival and the hope God may send the Israelites a deliverer.
Summary: This is the most difficult. But ultimately, Deliver Us can’t beat the drama of The Bells of Notre Dame.

Hunchback: 1/ The Prince of Egypt: 0

“I Want” Song: Out There vs. All I Ever Wanted (Queen’s Reprise)
Out There: Out There opens with Frollo telling Quasi he must never leave the cloche, bell tower. It’s one of the most intimidating moments of the movie. Quasi agrees, but then sings about how he wishes he could leave and the joys of being “out there.” Out There generally tugs at your heartstrings and makes toi really sympathize with the guy.
All I Ever Wanted (Queen’s Reprise): This is one of the plus unique “I Want” songs. Most “I Want” songs are about how the hero(ine) wants something s/he doesn’t have. In All I Ever Wanted, on the other hand, Moses sings about how his greatest desire is exactly what he has after being threatened with the thought that it isn’t real. Usually, if another character has a part in the song, it is to rebut what the hero want (think Belle and Out There.) In Queen’s Reprise, however, the Queen tells Moses to ignore the fact that he is a Hebrew and that he should remain a member of the Egyptian royal family. I also l’amour the flutes playing in the background of both segments of the song.
Summary: While Out There is heartwarming, All I Ever Wanted (Queen’s Reprise) is far plus unique, as well as having wonderful accompaniment.

Hunchback: 1/ The Prince of Egypt: 1

Villain Song: Heaven’s Light/ Hellfire vs. Playing with the Big Boys Now
Heaven’s Light/ Hellfire: Alright, what do I even need to say? Offset par the prelude of Quasi’s beautiful l’amour song and the monks’ chant, Frollo sings this powerful song in which he believes the deepest low of his sin is the pinnacle of his righteousness. This song reveals to us the twisted psyche of our villain, addressing all the taboos of children’s movies: lust, rape, and religious corruption. And those of us who l’amour villain songs (and who doesn’t?) couldn’t be happier.
Playing with the Big Boys: Playing with the Big Boys is the basic structure of the villain song. Starting off gently and just tantalizingly menacing, it quickly escalates into a frantic medley of the names of Egyptian gods and Hotep and Hui chant “You’re playing with the big boys now.” Sure, the lyrics aren’t poetry, but this song a fun ride while they’re chant them.
Summary: Need I even explain?

Hunchback: 2/ Prince of Egypt: 1

Heroine Song: God Help the Outcasts vs. When toi Believe
God Help the Outcasts: After being trapped in Notre Dame, Esmeralda sings this song about the woes of her people. My absolute favori part is the beginning when she asks the stature of Mary “Were toi once an outcast too?” I l’amour it so much because, in the time when she lived, Mary would have been an outcast for being an “adulteress” because she was pregnant with Jésus before marrying Joseph. While those around her ask for prosperity, Esmeralda, who has plus to ask for than any of the others, prays only for the good of her people. The melody is beautiful, and the lyrics inspiring.
When toi Believe: After the final plague, Ramses tells Moses he must go. While Moses is depressed because he has Lost his brother, Miriam comes to Moses and begins chant this song about how the faith of the Israelites has delivered them. This goes from a song par Miriam and Tzipporah to a victory chant par all of Israel. The tune is a very unique one, with many uncommon intervals.
Summary: When toi Believe is a wonderful inspirational song, but God Help the Outcasts is a touching song that captures the doubts of anyone struggling with faith.

Hunchback: 3/ Prince of Egypt: 1

Side Character conseil Song (hey, I needed a category): A Guy like toi vs. Through Heaven’s Eyes
A Guy Like You: Why? Just why? I am one of those of the mind that the gargoyles were unnecessary additions to Hunchback. This song is the three of them convincing Quasi that Esmeralda will fall in l’amour with him (yeah, didn’t that work out?) It’s redemption is its catchy tune.
Through Heaven’s Eyes: I l’amour this song! Through Heaven’s Eyes is the song I listen to whenever I need a pick-me-up. I always end up dancing like Rapunzel! It has a beautiful, inspirational message that even the poor, hopeless, sickly, ugly, and seemingly pathetic can be the most important when looked at through heaven’s eyes, that everyone is special to God. My favori part is the “lai”s, that’s always the part when I get up and dance.
Summary: A Guy Like toi is catchy, while Through Heaven’s Eyes is inspiring!

Hunchback: 3/ Prince of Egypt: 2

Other: Topsy Turvy and The Court of Miracles vs. The Plagues
Topsy Turvy: Topsy Turvy is a fun song which describes to us the Festival of Fools. We see some of the costumes which the “fools” turn up in and enjoy Clopin giving us a commentary. It’s a fun and catchy song.
The Court of Miracles: The Court of Miracles is a menacing song which “welcomes” Quasi and Phoebus. Dressed in a fun song’s clothing, the lyrics and images on the screen tell another story.
The Plagues: This song is EPIC. Moses and Ramses sing about their former relationship as brothers, as well as the present in which they find themselves on opposite sides of one of the greatest conflicts of all time. To offset the tale of two brothers, a chorus of Israelites provides the base for this song. A repetition of “Thus saith the Lord” throughout the song provides for an atmosphere as menacing as any other. The tune switches between one that is smooth and plaintive and one that is strong and driving. This song is just one ball of epic.
Summary: Topsy Turvy and The Court of Miracles is fun, but The Plagues is a song of epic proportions.

Hunchback: 3/ Prince of Egypt: 3

Score
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: The score in Hunchback is a strong and menacing one. The main theme is repeated throughout, making it a great unified score, as well as tying it in with the songs. My favori pieces are “Sanctuary” as well as “And He Shall Smite the Wicked.” It’s reminiscent of church musique and is a very strong, compelling score.
The Prince of Egypt: The score in Prince of Egypt really carries the movie. The score is just always great and matches the plot and the visuals. A lot of the pieces have very soft, delicate sections, as well as larger, orchestral moments. I l’amour the score that plays whenever Moses and Ramses are doing something mischievous, as well as the score that plays when Moses has his dream when he realizes the truth about his past. And those aren’t even my favorite. My favoris are “Death of the First Born” and “Red Sea.”
Summary: Both are awesome scores, but the score in The Prince of Egypt is much plus memorable to me, and I can remember what score goes with what part of the plot.

Hunchback: 3/ Prince of Egypt: 4




The Prince of Egypt wins!