This is perhaps the best of the many Zorro films as Tyrone Power gives an outstanding performance as the alternately swishing and swashbuckling son of a 19th century California aristocrat. As a champion of the oppressed, Zorro must face a wicked governor portrayed by J. Edward Bromberg, who, of course, has a beautiful niece whom our hero loves. Basil Rathbone is a delightfully evil assistant to the governor. Based on Johnston McCulley's novel The Curse of Capistrano, The Mark of Zorro was a
remake of the 1920 silent film and by far superior to all the Zorro incarnations. Interspersed with humor and one-liners but still keeping up with the highest of swashbuckling traditions, it is an action-packed story of one man standing against a corrupt, oppressive government on behalf of those less able to bear their burdens. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi
If you really dig the newer Zorro exploits, there's very little reason to think you wouldn't enjoy a nostalgic trip back to the guy's earlier screen adventures.
Powers can't match [Fairbanks'] astonishing acrobatics and doesn't try — but the rousing climactic duel against Basil Rathbone's villainous Captain Esteban, one of the best swordfights ever filmed at that time, almost makes up for it.
A young caballero returns from military service in Spain to find his father deposed from office by a corrupt tyrant and so dons a mask to fight on the side of the people. The original template used in the Antonio Banderas remake, The Mark Of Zorro was made 2 years after the classic The Adventures Of Robin Hood and
features many of the same ingredients, including impressive swordplay, charming old school romanticism, a supremely hissable villain in the form of Basil Rathbone and Eugene Pallette who is pretty much playing the same part as a good hearted but belligerent old friar. But the star of the show is most definitely Tyrone Power who proves he can swashbuckle with the best of them, not only in his skillful use of the sword but also with his fine display of comic timing in the genuinely amusing scenes as his foppish alter ego. He and Linda Darnell make an extremely attractive couple, the action sequences are some of the finest from the golden age and it has a refreshingly old school lack of cynicism, making for a rousing boy's own adventure that rates as one of the best of the era.
May 7, 2007
xGary Xx
Super Reviewer
the best zorro hands down. tyrone power, i'm sorry i doubted you!
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