Zorro

I found this movie and another at our public SF library and was happy to see them. This movie is entitled "Zorro, The Legend Begins" and offers Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (Stephanie Zimbalist of Remington Steel fame is his daughter) as Zorro's father. The one difference in this telling of Zorro is his younger deaf mute companion.

The film starts off with Don Diego (Zorro) as a young man sent from his father's prosperous ranch in a small Mexican village to a bigger city to broaden his education and to train with a famous swordsman. Diego returns many years later, his little deaf mute playmate has grown up as has the lovely Victoria (Patrice Camhi) who now runs the local tavern. The town is controlled by a vicious "Alcade" (Michael Tylo) who taxes the poor ranchers and tax people and is brutal to them.

Zorro is being chased by the soldiers when he falls over a cliff and his horse goes back to the ranch to fetch Felipe (Juan Botta, the young deaf mute. As he lay there he takes us back through his memories of his life as Zorro.

We learn how and why Don Diego creates his Zorro identity and watch as he saves the townspeople from the cruel Alcade.

This is not a cheesy production. The costumes are well done as are the sets, including a glorious clipper ship that is real and takes Don Diego on his journey to learn how to be an expert swordsman.

I'm hoping there are many more of these productions that I just haven't found yet. The second flim in this series (that I will review also) is entitled: Zorro: A Conspiracy of Blood. Apparently these movies were created for television. They are all in color and about 100 minutes long (1 hour 40 minutes).

The finest version of Zorro, bar none. Regehr possesses a truly unique combination of intelligence, athletic ability, grace, charm, class, discipline, artistic skill and terrific good looks to portray one of the favorite heroes of all time. Martinez is lovely, full of fire and passion, and is graceful and appealing. Victor is a lovable, clumsy, and ethically conflicted Sergeant Mendoza. All of the cast - Henry Darrow,Efrem Zimbalist Jr., JG Hertzler, Michael Tylo and Juan Diego Botto, do an excellent job. Sets are great, music is stirring, and the writing is superb on most occasions. Should have received more recognition, needs to come out on DVD. Not to be missed!

I got interested in Zorro around age 9. Since then I think Zorro is one of the best heroes ever. That is because he has character, true courage, moral values, and displays the truth. That is what I like about the "New Zorro" episodes. There is a lesson for each episode. A good moral lesson. Heroes today lack these characteristics. Even the new Zorro. It's all about Romance and schemes not true justice and values. The "New Zorro" portrayed the corruption of politics and government when tyranny takes over. The income tax is referred to as a "bizarre concept," and rightly so. I hope these episodes go back on tv. These episodes were a voice speaking out in our modern day of what good moral values are and what are government is supposed to be and ought to do.

I loved this version of the Zorro story. It was such a shame that the show ended right when it was reaching a climax. Don Diego was about to reveal to his father and Victoria Escelante that he was Zorro. The episode in the last season where his lost brother discovered his identity was awesome. This series, unfortunately, was cancelled without a desperately needed resolution. I really wish they at least would do a reunion movie to tie up he loose ends, but unfortunately, it will never happen.

I have got this series and this is the real Zorro!This masked avenger is spectacular and his enimie Luis Ramon is evil.Patrice Martinez his fantastic in the role of Victoria,Duncan Regher has got class,his interpretation his superb!James Victor is good and he does not fall in the ridicul like henry Calvin in the role of the seargent Garcia in disney's version of zorro with Guy Wiliams