Don Q Son of Zorro

A sequel to one of Doug's best pictures that rousingly maintains the high standard of the original with much of the action played for laughs as Fairbanks effortlessly sees off the opposition while nonchalantly cracking a whip (even snapping a cigarette from Donald Crisp's mouth at one point!), mounting horses and performing other exhilarating feats of derring do.

Amidst all the macho brawling Lottie Pickford and Stella DeLanti (as the Queen) both make lively impressions in relatively brief roles; the latter early on, the former towards the end.

Sprightly, only slightly less appealing sequel to Fairbank's first outing as Zorro. Here as Zorro's son, we also get some neat whiptricks and the sight of 2 Fairbanks (as Zorro and his son) in addition to the usual acrobatic stunts. The plot concerns Don Q being sent to the "old country" to study. He ends up framed for a crime by the corrupt officials of the Queen (who are made jealous when Don Q saves their commander from a bull with his whip, impressing the Queen with his courage). Zorro must come over to help him prove his innocence and defeat his enemies in battle.

As an early Zorro movie, well, an early movie period, this was fairly good. I will admit that some of it was kind of dumb. The plot is that Zorro's son has been framed for a murder. This happens because someone forges the murder victim's signature saying he was the killer. How could anyone be fooled into thinking someone wrote down who their murderer was? Was this a thing back in the 1920's? The Zorro costume does in fact appear, but unfortunately it's only in the last ten minutes. With all that being said, this still is by no means a bad movie. The original Zorro movie was better.

While this was before color, I really was impressed by the tints of this movie. I guess they don't count as colors, but this really was a nice looking movie. The atmosphere is probably the strongest point, because this is a movie that's very nice to look at with great sets. It's so nice to see how well they hold up after nearly a hundred years! I like the idea of Zorro having a son, but this was interesting because he wasn't just taking on the persona of Zorro. He really was becoming a new character in his own right. Sequels shouldn't just repeat what the original did. It's great to point out the flaws in such an old movie. While not a classic, it's fine. ***

After his artsy fantasy "The Thief of Baghdad" freaked everyone out, Doug got back to basics with this sequel to his first swashbuckler, "The Mark of Zorro" -- and concocted a meticulously designed, take-no-chances star vehicle. The sets, cast, and screenplay are all impressive but, as always, it's the Fairbanks persona -- an odd combination of pragmatist and dreamer, magician and acrobat, lover and fighter, rogue and moralist -- and his endless bag of tricks, gags, and stunts that sets the film apart from, not only 1920s action spectacles, but those of his successors: Jackie Chan, James Bond, and Indiana Jones.

Of his later pictures, perhaps only "The Gaucho" tops this one for sheer excellence in filmmaking.

The Mark of Zorro to me is one of the Douglas Fairbanks classics, and its sequel Don Q Son of Zorro is just as great and even on par with it. It looks spectacular with sets that look lavish and expensive and photography that positively sweeps. The music score rouses the spirits well enough and there is a sense of humour that has a strong presence and in a way that is still fresh. The story is well-paced and compelling with thrills, fun and adventure galore. It's conventional for a film starring Fairbanks and as an adventure film as well in a sense but not to a routine or simplistic degree, it is always easy to follow and still offers enough surprises. The action is full of energy and rousingly choreographed, never too much or too little and they move the story forward rather than slowing down. If you are looking for stunts that will leave you in awe, as you often find in Fairbanks's films, you will not be disappointed in Don Q Son of Zorro, they're unmistakably Fairbanks but don't feel rehashed. Donald Crisp directs with a deft and imaginative touch, and the characterisations are vivid enough, with the exception of Mary Astor who doesn't have a lot to do and comes across as bland as a result(shame as she has done a fair amount of stuff that I like). Crisp is especially good in support, he has rarely been more malevolent though not in a blatant way, and Don Sebastian is easily one of the nastiest villains of any Fairbanks film. Warner Oland is solid too if occasionally resorting to histrionics. Douglas Fairbanks is the most impressive though, the athletic stunts look so effortless when he does them and the gallant charisma and infectious smile makes him a most likable hero. To conclude, Mark of Zorro is still a classic and one of Fairbanks' greatest but Don Q Son of Zorro is just as great. 9/10 Bethany Cox