O Signo do Zorro

'The Sign of Zorro' is good fun.

I've always heard of Zorro, with his famous mark et al., though have never seen anything directly about him. This makes for a strong first impression. It is a compilation of a number of the television show episodes, but it's edited together nicely to the point I didn't even notice.

Guy Williams is great as Zorro, bringing the required amount of charisma and smartness to the role. Henry Calvin is also impressive, as comedic character Sgt. Garcia - he gives the laughs. Britt Lomond also gives a notable performance, as Monastario. It's all well acted in general.

I have nothing negative to note, everything makes for entertaining viewing.

"The Sign of Zorro" is a full-length film made up of 8 episodes of the popular "Zorro" series from television. And, it uses the same catchy tune to begin the film as the show.

Guy Williams plays Don Diego, a young man who has been studying abroad. However, his father begs for him to return...though Don Diego doesn't know exactly why. Well, it's soon apparent, as the latest man appointed as the Comandante in Mexican-ruled California is robbing folks blind in order to become the wealthiest man in the state. But attacking the Comandante directly is ill-advised and Don Diego poses as an ineffectual intellectual instead of the macho crime fighter. Additionally, his sidekick who is mute also pretends to be deaf in order to better spy on the crooks. As 'Zorro', Don Diego fights evil...righting wrongs and battling injustice.

As you'd expect, in this compilation there are many instances where Zorro gets the better of the Comandante and his troops....as well as narrow escapes. No major surprises here...especially since it was taken from a childrens' show.

So is it any good? Yes. The acting is nice and despite being filmed in black & white, it is an enjoyable production. My only complaint is that the Sergeant is an obvious dunderhead...perhaps too much so to have any sense of realism.

By the way, the film uses the term 'deaf & dumb'...an old fashioned but inaccurate way to describe deaf folks. This is because 'dumb' in this case means unable to talk...and deaf people can talk, just often not that well. Plus 'dumb' has many other very negative connotations. I am glad it was left in the film, as I hate censorship, though I was taken aback by it as well.

I was a little disappointed. This film is a combined and edited version of the first part of season one of "The Adventures of Zorro". Thing is, I have just completed watching all of the episodes made available on Disney+. So this feels like a rerun. OK, for what it is. But the chances are, if you can watch this, do you have access to Disney+. If you have access to Disney+, you have access to the original series.

Sergeant Garcia may have been a model for Sergeant Schultz, of "Hogan's Heroes", they are very similar character types.

I will say, just to fill up the apparently required six hundred characters, that "The Adventures of Zorro" is one of my more vivid childhood TV memories. One of the shows I grew up with. 🤔😉😊

This show has a lot of great sword fights. I think it's lacking in the personable department though. Not sure why I should care about the lead.

Filming location: Iverson Movie Ranch in what is now Chatsworth, California.

With a new graphic novel out about the youth of Don Vega Zorror is back on everybodies mind who do read comics. What else to do then to watch this classic.

Over the top performances full with clichés as seen in the comic. Story is of course not that important but they did well to make it an enjoyable adventure flick.

Fight scene's, slapstick scene's, a big hit back then and still watchable nowadays.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 1/5.