The Versions of Zorro in Film & Other Media

Literary Origin

The Mark of Zorro (1920)

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

• Released in 1940 & directed by Rouben Mamoulian [Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1931)], The Mark of Zorro stars Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone, & Linda Darnell. The Mark of Zorro was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Musical Score.

• The Mark of Zorro is supposedly 20th Century Fox’s answer to the 1938 Warner Brothers Errol Flynn film The Adventures of Robin Hood. This is not hard to believe as Tyrone Power’s swashbuckling resembles Flynn’s & Basil Rathbone & Eugene Pallette practically reprise their roles from the earlier film—Rathbone as the villainous Capitan Pasquale & Pallette as a friar strongly resembling Friar Tuck. The Mark of Zorro has a tight, fast-paced plot & features one of the best swordfights in the history of cinema.
• Interestingly, Zorro’s costume fluctuates throughout the film. Sometimes he wears a cape, sometimes no. Sometimes he wears a mask; sometimes he wears a neckerchief over his mouth & nose.

• Several comics have established that The Mark of Zorro is the film the Waynes were watching on that fateful night on which Bruce’s parents were gunned down by a street thug, & the Batman was born.

Disney’s Zorro Television Series

First Season Favorite Episodes

“The Ring of Wax” (1x23) & “ Give ’em the Axe ” (1x24)

• This episode features.

“Death in Slow Motion” (1x31) & “ The Riddler’s False Notion” (1x32)

• This episode features.

“The Joker Goes to School” (1x15) & “He Meets His Match, the Grisly Ghoul” (1x16)

• This episode features.

Second Season Favorite Episodes

“The Penguin’s Nes” (2x27) & “The Bird’s Last Jest” (2x28)

• This episode features.

“Hizzoner the Penguin” (2x17) & “Dizzoner the Penguin” (2x18)

• This episode features.

“Hot off the Griddle” (2x03) & “The Cat and the Fiddle” (2x04)

• This episode features.

Zorro, the Gay Blade

• Directed by Peter Medak & released in 1981, Zorro, the Gay Blade stars George Hamilton, Ron Leibman, Lauren Hutton, & Brenda Vaccaro.
• This film seems to be a sequel to the 1940 Mark of Zorro.

• Zorro, the Gay Blade incorporates concepts from two other super-hero franchises: the Phantom & the Scarlet Pimpernel. The idea that the super-hero’s persona will continue after the death or retirement of the original hero through his descendents has appeared in the mythoi of many super-heroes, including Superman, Batman, & Spider-Man, but almost certainly originates with the Phantom. Additionally, Diego’s gay, foppish twin brother, Bunny Wigglesworth, sporting aristocratic English clothes, an English accent, & a penchant for speaking in rhyme as well as wearing disguises strongly resembles Sir Percy Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel.

• Hamilton demonstrates his excellent Spanish accent & proficiency with a blade in this film.
• Interestingly, the capitan & later alcalde played by Ron Leibman is named Esteban. The capitan in the 1940 Mark of Zorro was also named Esteban, but he never became alcalde.
• On the wanted poster, Zorro wears a neckerchief over his mouth but no mask. However, neither brother ever appears as Zorro this way during the film.

Duncan Regehr Zorro TV Series

Antonio Banderas Zorro Films

The Mask of Zorro

• Released in 1998, The Mask of Zorro was directed by Martin Campbell [who directed GoldenEye, The Legend of Zorro, Casino Royale (2006), & Green Lantern] & stars Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Catherine-Zeta Jones, Stuart Wilson, & Matt Letscher.

• The Mask of Zorro grossed $250 million worldwide against a $96-million dollar budget.
• The Mask of Zorro received Oscar nominations for Best Sound Editing & Best Sound Mixing.

• The scene in which Alejandro & Elena duel is a highlight of the film.
• The double-revenge motive of the two main characters (Alejandro & Diego) as well as Diego’s long imprisonment make the plot seem much more like The Count of Monte Cristo than Zorro.

The Legend of Zorro

• Released in 2005, The Legend of Zorro was directed by Martin Campbell [who directed GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale (2006), & Green Lantern] & stars Antonio Banderas & Catherine-Zeta Jones.

• The Legend of Zorro grossed $142 million worldwide.

• The Legend of Zorro seems to be a half-hearted sequel. Although Zorro’s marital problems might make an interesting basis for a film, The Legend of Zorro seems to avoid any of the interesting routes by which this may be accomplished.

Zorro in other films & TV shows

Zorro in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman —“Soul Mates” (4x04)—airdate: October 13, 1996

• One of the past lives HG Wells brings Lois & Clark back to experience has Clark acting out a medieval dual identity whose costumed half goes by the name of the Fox. This character is part Robin Hood & part Zorro, as the name clearly indicates.

Zorro in Smallville—“Thirst” (5x05)—airdate: October 27, 2005

• Clark dresses as Zorro when he attends a costume party given by Lana’s sorority. Ironically, he tells Chloe that although he does not care for the mask, he does fancy the cape...