The Mark of Zorro

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...

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 .

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.

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

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.