Zorro

RELEASED IN 1975 and directed by Duccio Tessari, "Zorro" stars Alain Delon as a new Spanish governor in Mexican California in the 1820s. With the populace of Nueva Aragón under the oppressive rule of corrupt Colonel Huerta (Stanley Baker), the foppish governor becomes the masked adventurer, Zorro, to bring justice. Ottavia Piccolo plays the noble hottie; Enzo Cerusico Zorro's mute servant; and Moustache a bumbling fat bastage soldier.

The version I viewed cut out an entire half hour, so I might raise my rating if I eventually see the longer version. Nevertheless, there's enough good in the short version to make this colorful European rendition of Zorro worth catching if you like swashbuckling adventure flicks with joie de vivre ("joy of living"), like "The Musketeer" (2001), "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) and, of course, "The Mask of Zorro" (1998).

I'm familiar with protagonist Delon from a couple of his prior films, "Texas Across the River" (1966) and "Red Sun" (1971), where he struck me as a striking, charismatic actor; unfortunately, he's not well known in the USA. Regardless, he's just perfect for the role of Zorro. Meanwhile, Piccolo is mind-blowing as the honorable senorita. The closing elongated sword fight is possibly the best bout of fencing put to celluloid, next to the one at the end of "Rob Roy" (1995).

THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours (with a widely circulated 87 minute version) and was shot in Almería & Madrid, Spain. WRITERS: Giorgio Arlorio (story) and Giorgio Arlorio (screenplay).

GRADE: B

Having grown up with the Disney/Guy Willimas Zorro and become a Zorro fan I have tried watching as many versions of the Zorro movies that have been made. I really enjoyed this one. I think Alain Delon makes a great Zorro and while it doesn't stay true to the original novel (and let's face it most of the Zorro movies that have been made as well as the Zorro TV shows, very few followed the book) it is full of action, great settings and an entertaining cast. I have to confess I am very partial to the European Zorro productions from the 60's and early 70's. They are rather campy but very entertaining. I'm surprised this Zorro movie has not been released in a good DVD version as Alain Delon is a well know actor.

Sit down and enjoy an evening with Alain Delon as Senor Zorro in a great swashbuckling movie.

Yes - I actually like the strange song featured throughout this film.

As others have commented - growing up in the seventies, this was THE Zorro film, probably my favorite Zorro film... slightly campy, but thoroughly entertaining - reminiscent of the Three & Four Musketeer movies, also from the early seventies.

Alain DeLeon is as good as can be - the film covers all the classic Zorro elements and delivers far better than average fight scenes - especially the finale. Simply fun to watch.

One warning: I purchased a cheap VHS copy and was very disappointed to find it re-edited from the original (which I remember very clearly) - a few scenes are completely botched. Where's the DVD release... with extras?

The inimitable Alain Delon is Don Diego De la Vega , a foppish governor and look-alike gay , but he dons a black outfit and becomes the Zorro , the legendary masked , hero of oppressed . Zorro riding in the hoof-prints , relishes his secret identity in cape and blade and help the good people who are mistreated , thwarting the ambitious plans of the meanie official . He battles colonel Huertas (last feature movie by Stanley Baker) and a botcher sergeant (Moustache). Zorro's helped by a deaf and dumb servant (Enzo Cerusico) . Zorro unites forces to Father Francisco (Albertini) and a beautiful aristocrat (Ottavia Piccolo). Zorro-Delon fight evildoers and greedy colonel oppressor, while saving damsel in distress from a fate worse than death . The film is set in salty flavour of Old South American , New Aragon , rather than Old California , though it was filmed in Spain.

Derring-do , feats , adventures , humor and action find this agreeable swashbuckler . Alain Delon runs and jumps , bounds and leaps all over the images and overacting outrageously when plays the queer governor . Delon requested to make this film after enjoying his role in the swashbuckler The Black Tulip (1964) by Christian Jaque . A nice cast keeps the picture moving at a rapid clip, special mention for Giacomo Rossi Stuart as grumpy German lieutenant Von Merkel and Moustache as bungler sergeant Garcia . The exciting final sword duel was inspired by the 1952 swashbuckler Scaramouche by George Sidney . Most of the crew was from Italy and the filming took place in Spain , though studio work was done in Rome , Italy . The motion picture was well-mounted and fast paced by Duccio Tessari , a Spaghetti Western expert.

Other versions about this known personage , as television series starred by Guy Williams during the 60s and the 90s starred by Duncan Regher , as cinema the classic silent version (1920) by Douglas Fairbanks and 'The mark of Zorro' (1940) starred by Tyrone Power and directed by Robert Mamoulian . And , of course , modern rendition titled 'The mark and legend of Zorro' starred by Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones and directed by Martin Campbell .

Okay, so I paid $1 for it as a masked double feature DVD. The other film was Clayton Moore's The Lone Ranger, even though the cover featured the '81 Spilsbury schlock-fest. I was mislead by the use of the artwork from the later version of the masked rider of the plains' flick.

However, it was fun. I, like others, actually found the title song addictive in an annoying way.

The cast is good and the action satisfying. I don't mind the movement of Diego as returning son to indebted friend. However, since the villagers all know the mark of Zorro, does this film act as a sort of sequel to a previous version?

Now, if only they could get rid of the overdubbed dog!