This week, guest host Xenia Tran has chosen Sanctuary as the topic for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. I’m sorry, but I can’t help myself. Every time I hear the word Sanctuary I think of that most magical and moving moment in movie history when Charles Laughton as the Hunchback of Notre Dame rescues Esmeralda, carries her up to the bell tower and holding her aloft, cries, “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!” I cry every time I see it. I found a clip on You Tube, and if you haven’t already had the opportunity to see this, I strongly urge you to do so. Sanctuary – Charles Laughton
I’ve never been lucky enough to visit Notre Dame Cathedral in France but here are a few images that, for me, bring that supremely emotional moment to mind. The first two were taken at the Holy Hill Basilica in Wisconsin and the next two are in Temple Square, Utah. Also showing, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota.
Getting the Picture 
Thank you for posting that link. I have read the book but have not seen the movie.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found the link. Somehow the post was published before I had a chance to add my challenge images so I hope you will revisit to see them.
Thanks for the link!
Thanks, Indira! WordPress suddenly decided to publish this post before I had a chance to add some images, so I hope you will revisit to see them.
This is wonderful, Sue! I love the video clip. I don’t know why I never saw the film, but I loved the book. I hope you get to Paris and I hope by then, you’ll be able to see a restored cathedral.
Thanks, Patti. One of the things my father and I enjoyed doing together was watching old b/w movies. ‘The Hunchback’ and ‘Ivan the Terrible ‘ were the two that stood out in my mind the most. I was astounded to read later that they had built the set for Paris and the cathedral in the San Fernando Valley. It looked so real.
Beautiful photographs Sue and thank you so much for sharing the clip. I had seen the film many years ago and was lucky enough to visit Notre Dame in the seventies and eighties. I do hope you will get to see it in real life, it’s an amazing place with so much history 🧡
Thank you, Xenia! I could kick myself now, for missing the opportunity to visit France when I lived so close in England all those years ago. But at the time I didn’t realize that I would move so far away with little hope of ever returning. Thank you for giving us such a great theme for the challenge.
Both of these places look amazing, and I really like the way that you have captured them. Also the colour scheme has worked really well 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment, Victoria. It was much appreciated.
What a clever and creative response Sue! I loved both the book AND the movie. I visited the cathedral many, many, MANY years ago and it was absolutely breathtaking. But I never went to the tower. I wonder if one is allowed? In any case, excellent choice for the challenge.
Thanks, Tina. What a wonderful experience it must have been, visiting the cathedral.
I have not seen the movie, but I watched the video clip. Great post!!
Thank you, Lisa. Some of the old-time movies are well worth watching and this one in particular. Even without todays technology and special effects, the cinematography, acting and music made it a masterpiece.
I know there are a lot of great old movies. I need to watch more of them!
Powerful scene. Thanks for the link!
Great photos too.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked the link and the images.
Beautiful photos, Sue. Perfect for the theme. Thank you for sharing the link. I have visited the cathedral a few times. I wonder how the restoration is going on…
Thank you, Amy! I believe the restoration work has been put on hold during the pandemic, so it will be a while before it sees completion.
Great monochromes. Well done. Ahh, it seems like centuries since I’ve seen that movie. Ring those bells, Quasi!!
Thanks, John! The best version of this movie ever! I was always a Charles Laughton fan and this film was quite a departure from his usual roles. As usual, he nailed it.
Monochrome photography really suits the architecture of the place.
Thanks, Teresa. I thought that, given the b/w video clip, monochrome would be more appropriate and luckily it worked well with the images.
Awesome links. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Kally. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you. It has been years since I have seen that movie. I watched the clip, but I have to go and find the movie and watch the whole thing all over again. It was a great movie. Love your pics. The monochrome really highlights the images.
Thank you! Sometimes b/w just seems like the right choice and I thought since the movie was in b/w, this might work. Sometimes the old movies are the best. I’ve never seen a remake of this one that can compare to the excellence of the original.