Movies That Use Storylines Straight From The Bible

This classic of Disney animation is the most overtly religious Disney movie. The Catholic faith plays a central role, which, according to the Catholic Register, reminds viewers of the biblical parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (also known as the Publican). Antagonist Judge Claude Frollo is compared to the Pharisee. Frollo's prayer "Hellfire," begs the Virgin Mary to help him catch the Roma, Esmeralda. His justification? He is more virtuous and devout than the lowly commoners and thanks God that he is not like them. Yet he has no problem killing innocents and engaging in general unsavory behavior, making his piety nothing more than a mask. This parallels the Pharisee in the Bible, who thanks God for not making him like the commoners and sinners.

Frollo's foil is the beautiful Esmeralda, whom the Ursuline Sisters compare to the tax collector of the biblical parable. Esmeralda is poor and makes a living as a dancer. Being Roma, she is an outcast in French society. In her prayer "God Help the Outcasts," Esmeralda's fellow parishioners at Notre Dame Cathedral, like Frollo, pray for their personal desires. But Esmeralda acknowledges her lowly status before the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, even though she considers herself unworthy to ask anything of God. Yet, she has the faith to pray for God's mercy for society's outcasts, such as herself. In this regard, she is comparable to the tax collector, who asks for God's mercy for his sins. Ultimately, Jesus' words ring true. Due to his pride, Frollo is humbled, while lowly Esmeralda and the hunchback Quasimodo become exalted heroes through their righteousness, humility, and courage.

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