The Mark of Zorro

This 1974 Zorro is true to previous films. The best part for me was the use of 1940's film score. The music ties the film to the classic performance of Tyrone Power. Frank Langella was destined to play remakes, Dracula and Zorro. Ricardo Montalban, Yvonne deCarlo, and Gilbert Roland are consummate actors that bring the film above its humble TV budget. The film follows the 1940's script, which makes the film enjoyable to watch. Later versions because of their modern thirst for gore can't compare. Watch it on Starz or buy the DVD.

Set in the 1840s, in the salty flavour of Old California , in which the inimitable Frank Langella is Don Diego De la Vega , a foppish young who returns to California from Madrid , Spain . In his local home he finds his mother (Yvonne De Carlo) and father Alejandro de la Vega (Gilbert Roland) who has been replaced as ruler of the region by the cruel Don Luis Quintero. The look-alike gay Don Diego poses as a fleebe man , 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 , Captain Esteban , (Ricardo Montalban) only to find the people overrun and overtaxed by a corrupt Mayor (Robert Middleton) , as Don Diego he takes matters into his own hands as the masked crusader Zorro. As Zorro fights to return justice to the country and his people .

Derring-do , feats , romance , adventures , humor , and action find this agreeable swashbuckler . Interesting and moving teleplay by Brian Taggert , based on the story "The Curse of Capistrano" by Johnston McCully about the unforgettable Don Diego , the foppish dandy by day and the masked swordsman Zorro who slashes "Z"s everywhere by night. . Here Zorro-Langella is a skilled swordsman , fights evildoers and an greedy oppressor captain , while saving damsel in distress from a fate worse than death . Frank Langella runs , jumps , and leaping all over the images and overacting outrageously when plays the queer Don Diego . A nice cast keeps the picture moving at a rapid clip . Frank Langella gives a cool acting as the foppish Don Diego de la Vega who goes back returns Spain to his family in California and secretly picks up the sword of justice as the masked hero Zorro. He's finely accompanied by a good cast such as : Gilbert Roland , Louise Sorel , Robert Middleton, Anne Archer , Tom Lacy , Yvonne DeCarlo. And special mention for Ricardo Montalbán as the cunning villain captain Estebán .This fairly light Zorro was well-mounted and fast paced by Don McDougall .

Other versions about this known personage , as television series, Zorro , 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 , Linda Darnell and directed by Robert Mamoulian . European version about famous character Zorro (1975) well played by Alain Delon ,Stanley Baker , Ottavia Piccolo, Giacomo Rossi Stuart and Moustache . 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 .

Much as I hate to sound sacrilegious about the 1940s version, I have to honestly say Langella surpassed Tyrone Power. How Langella did it is with his voice. As another previous poster described it, Langella with that chocolatey voice. In the same way we gents enjoy Peggy Lee's sultry voice on her song, "Fever," so does Langella's voice project the perfect air of foppishness. Note Langella's use of the aristocratic handheld monocle that he uses when he gazes at Captain Esteban. In the hands of another actor it would look artificial. But combined with Langella's lazy-eyed look, it looks so natural.

I haven't seen this TV film for years and would really like to see it again. I think I fell in love with Frank Langella because of it - OK, OK, so I was much younger and more impressionable at the time but, well, he was beguiling. As suggested in one or two other commentaries on this, I felt it was as effective a version, if not even a tad better than the 1940 one - perhaps because of both the eponymous hero's sexual magnetism and the charming, intelligent and spirited Anne Archer's Teresa. From what I remember, the film was to a large extent faithful to Tyrone Power's vehicle, and added a J-ne-sais-quoi to it.

Dashing as Power undoubtedly was, to my taste Langella's rich chocolatey voice, commanding height and seductive gaze made this viewer long to be the object of his affections. I admit it, I'm shamefacedly still a bit in love with the character!

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