Die Maske der Königin

Queen Of Swords was an excellent syndicated TV series that was basically the adventures of a female Zorro, but was unique on its own. Sadly, this show only lasted one season (2000-2001) and was caught in the battle of syndication ratings from other shows like Sheena, Xena: Warrior Princess, Beastmaster, Relic Hunter, Andromeda, etc. Not garnering enough viewers, the show was cancelled by its producer, Fireworks Entertainment.

This show had excellent writing, great action/stunts, wonderful 19th-century costume designs, and a remarkable cast of talented stars, along with some well established actors & actresses making guest starring roles during its run. The series was filmed entirely on location in Almeria, Spain. This, of course, made for excellent scenery.

The big surprise was the show's main lead herself, Tessie Santiago, who played Tessa Alvarado/Queen Of Swords. This was her first professional acting work, and she really showed that she is a talented (and beautiful) actress, and that she can carry a series. I hope that she has a successful acting career in the many years to come.

A beautiful raven haired Vixen rules the screen. Unlike the leather clad Xeena, this Heroine come along elegant and beautifully dressed. The best in feminine power. The womens fashion of this period was extremely sexy, only to be surpassed in the 50's. The Heroine represent's it so well. Having her men (adversaries) well under control, fooling them at every turn. Elusive but not non approachable. I would have liked an more mature-adult version, but this version can be viewed by the whole family. Still, I give it an 8 out of 10 stars, just for good viewing pleasure. I would buy the complete set, if made available on DVD. And I was very disappointed, when the series was discontinued. I still would say: Go Girl Go ! I loved it.

I, too, thought, "A female Zorro," when I saw the description. I loved the Zorro movie and figured I'd watch. As the show has progressed it has been made clear that though that is an inspiration this is not "just a rip-off in drag." There is a great deal of style and humour in the scripts. The action is excellent, but there is character development as well. Poetic justice is common; moral values are there, but not shoved down a viewer's throat. This series will last--and deserves to. This is one I won't miss--it's programmed into the VCR for weekly so I can never manage to forget it.

After ghostbusters, it seems that rebooting a successful franchise with a female lead, doesn't guarantee its success. Yet this is exactly what happened with the 'Queen of swords'. Having grown up with the old Zorro series starring Duncan Regehr, this one seems to be aimed at a slightly older audience, he antagonists aren't true stereotypical cartoon characters as much, sometimes posing a real threat and actually killing people; but nothing overly violent. For what it is, an 80s-like show aiming for some swashbuckling entertainment, it couldn't have been executed better. It's a little more layered and fleshed out than the original Zorro series, but not so deep as to abandon its fun concept. A great job, reaching a well deserved 7/10, the maximum I'll give for the genre.

but different. not only for a female version of one of great heroes of modern literature, but for the art of Tessie Santiago to create a character on her size. justice has its special nuances and the courage to propose new form of old story is not only ambition. because not only fight scenes are remarkable but the grace of a hero - brave, smart, generous - and feminine.the dialogs, the science to not create a Manichean tale, the basic values in right package, the music and the atmosphere who reminds more than a feminist version.that is the heart of this series. its source of charm and identity sign in a long tradition of Zorro movies