The Mark of Zorro

Frank Langela ( most famous for his role of Dracula in the late 70's) faithfully recreates the role made famous by Tyrone Power in the 1940's. Although they were using a cut down version of the script, and a considerably smaller budget, they produced a very good film. The cast was experienced and interpreted the characters quite well. Gilbert Roland having played several Zorro like characters himself, was a good choice as the father. For a low budget remake it is very entertaining. Definitely worth the time to watch. The completest would want to add this to their collection. Those Zorro fans who are not completest, would definitely want to consider this. Just over look the small crowd scenes and small scale sets.

JPMotis

I saw this film on TV recently. The Daily Mail had listed it as one to miss, but I'm glad I taped it. I had previously seen the new version with Anthony Hopkins, and this one compares quite favourably with it. Gilbert Roland is fantastic playing both the role of Don Diego, where he puts on an air of bored arrogance. This contrasts brilliantly with his role of Zorro when he dresses up with the mask. The action is more than first rate: it is sublime. It doesn't rely on special effects, but on acting and style. Probably the best TV movie I have ever seen...

Frank Langella makes you forget both Tyrone & Fairbanks - his Zorro is quieter, more serious, more sensual, whereas the other two played the role for laughs at times. And Langella's take on Don Diego the fop is not as effeminate or funny, more like lazy and yawning. And his eyes are very expressive and always moving.

Ricardo Montalban does pretty well as the villain, but can't compete against Basil Rathbone (1940). But the winsome, young Anne Archer is a big improvement over stiff Linda Darnell. Nice to see the still-fit, silent star Gilbert Roland as Zorro's dad.

The dialogue and script of this is very similar to the 1940 version, and it uses the same stirring theme and soundtrack composed by Alfred Newman.

You can catch this version on TV sometimes -- it's worth videotaping.

Ricardo Montalbon does a fair job, but the rest of the acting is atrocious. The Tyrone Power Jr. version was one of the hallmarks of filmdom, and one of my all time favorite movies. I had never seen this movie till today, and couldn't stand more than 20 minutes of it.

Personally, I actually like this film a little better than either of the arguably better known 1920 and 1940 film versions.

As a mid-1970s television feature, it looks more like a big budget film than some of it's studio tentpole brethren of the era. The film makes excellent use of the old FOX Ranch and period costumes to create a set design that looks "real" but has an aura of pageantry that makes the film a visual treat. The action is of a high standard for the day; in a world full of CGI heroes and digital backgrounds, it's nice from time to time to see actual human beings do actual physical stunts to sell the action.

The script and score are more or less recycled from the 1940 film version, but it is the cast that ultimately make the film worthwhile; particular note must be given to Ricardo Montalban, who has a certain ruthless charm that he brings to Captain Esteban Montenegro that makes his character a memorable and formidable villain. Frank Langella was, at this point in his life, a perfect Don Diego de la Vega/Zorro; portraying both aspects of the character perfectly. His danyish Diego is fun, but not over done. One can always see his intelligence behind his foppish exterior. As Zorro, he both heroically dashing and romantically charming, playing his scenes with Anne Archer perfectly.

I'm not aware of a DVD or Blu-ray release, but it is well worth watching when it appears on cable television.