The Mark of Zorro (Special Edition) (Colorized / Black and White)

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When they say they don't make 'em like they used to, they're talking about 20th Century Fox's exhilarating The Mark of Zorro, starring Tyrone Power as the caped one, Linda Darnell as his love interest, and Basil Rathbone at his scurrilous best as Zorro's nemesis. More textured than the 1920 original with Douglas Fairbanks, this 1940 version has Don Diego/Zorro (Powers) returning from Madrid to defend his father and rally the caballeros (noblemen) against Los Angeles's corrupt new governor (J. Edward Bromberg), intent on taxing the peons to death.

If this all sounds like an Old California redo of the classic Adventures of Robin Hood, that's because it is. Powers has a field day as Don Diego, the "fancy clown" betrothed to the governor's niece, Lolita (Darnell). Don Diego the effete snob performs silly parlor tricks, peers through pince-nez, and yawns disdainfully at one and all. Power's cowardly alter ego is so believable, his transformation to masked superhero becomes all the more thrilling. Imagine Captain Pasquale's (Rathbone) shock when, in the film's brilliantly choreographed showdown, this annoying fop turns out to be a world-class swordsman.

Director Rouben Mamoulian, known for great period melodramas, does a skillful job of alternating garrison intrigue with big action scenes, including a nighttime ride that climaxes with Zorro on horseback leaping off a bridge. In the romantic highlight, Lolita confides her innermost desires to a suspiciously worldly friar. The first-rate supporting cast includes Gale Sondergaard as the governor's treacherous wife and the frog-voiced Eugene Pallette (Friar Tuck in The Adventures of Robin Hood) as a padre in cahoots with the masked one. Technically, this retelling rates an unqualified "Wow!" The cinematography, obviously influenced by Goya, makes full use of chiaroscuro shadows, and Alfred Newman's Latin-flavored score is irresistibly rousing and romantic. --Glenn Lovell

Description

This swashbuckling remake of the silent classic stars Tyrone Power as the dashing masked avenger who single-handedly saves Los Angeles from Spanish despots. Don Diego Vega (Power) is summoned home from his elite training corps in Spain to California, where he finds his father deposed and the people living in tyranny. Disguised as Zorro, a sword-wielding mystery man dressed in black, he works to restore his father to power and return the tax money stolen by the villains (J. Edward Bromberg, Basil Rathbone). He even finds time to romance the ruling tyrant's beautiful niece (Linda Darnell).

Customer Reviews:

40s swashbuckling fun.......2007-08-10

Upon returning to California from military training in Spain, Don Diego Vega (Tyrone Power) is shocked to see the wretched condition of the peasants and assumes the guise of Zorro to strike terror into the heart of the greedy alcalde (J. Edward Bromberg) who has usurped the position of Don Diego's own father (Montagu Love).

This is Hollywood swashbuckling at its finest. Power is excellent not only as the dashing, heroic Zorro, but also very amusing when he puts on foppish airs to make everyone believe that Don Diego is an insignificant dandy. Basil Rathbone makes a strong impression as the alcalde's chief henchman. His swordfight with Power is a highlight of this exciting film.

"The Mark of Zorro (1940) ... Tyrone Power ... 20th Century Fox (2005)".......2007-07-29

20th Century Fox present "THE MARK OF ZORRO" (Special Edition) (Released: November 8, 1940) (93 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- "The Mark of Zorro" is a 1940 feature motion picture directed by Rouben Mamoulian and produced by 20th Century Fox --- It starred Tyrone Power as Don Diego de la Vega (Zorro), Linda Darnell as his love interest, (Lolita Quintero), Montagu Love as (Don Alejandro Vega), Gale Sondergaard as the naughty (Inez Quintero), Eugene Pallette as (Fra. Felipe), with Basil Rathbone, one of the most durable of screen villains who has mastered stage fencing but never won a sword fight, plays the cruel (Captain Esteban Pasquale), the Alcalde's military adviser and J. Edward Bromberg was the corrupt governor (Don Luis Quintero ) --- The film was directed by Rouben Mamoulian and produced by Raymond Griffith and Darryl F. Zanuck.

Based on the Johnston McCulley story "The Curse of Capistrano", originally published in 1919, which introduced the masked hero Zorro, the movie's story is set in Southern California during the early 19th century --- It deals with the foppish son of a wealthy ranchero who returns to California after a sojourn at school in Spain, only to be horrified at the way the common people are being mistreated by Governor Quintero --- Don Diego adopts the guise of Zorro ("the Fox"), a Robin Hood like outlaw who becomes a defender of the people --- In the meanwhile, he romances the governor's beautiful niece, Lolita, and fends off the governor's ablest henchman, the malevolent Captain Pasquale --- The high point of the picture is the fantastic duel between Power and Rathbone, a masterpiece of screen Swordplay --- Tyrone Power had joined Errol Flynn as the reigning 'kings' of swashbucklers, a title both would find amusing, if limiting, but which would be how both actors are best remembered, today! (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Under Rouben Mamoulian (Director), Raymond Griffith (Producer), Darryl F. Zanuck (Producer), John Taintor Foote (Screenwriter), Garrett Elsden Fort (Screenwriter), Johnston McCulley (Short Story Author), Bess Meredyth (Screenwriter),Arthur C. Miller (Cinematographer), Alfred Newman (Musical Direction/Supervision / Composer (Music Score), Robert Bischoff (Editor), Richard Day (Art Director), Joseph C. Wright (Art Director), Thomas K. Little (Set Designer), Travis Banton (Costume Designer) - - - - This film is essentially a remake of the 1920 United Artists silent version, "The Mark of Zorro", which starred Douglas Fairbanks --- The 20th Century Fox 1940 version under Alfred Newman's Oscar-Nominated score and despite the unusual absence of Technicolor, the film (the first of the great Tyrone Power swashbucklers ) is great fun, full of vitality and suspense, an exciting, deliciously ironic swashbuckler

the cast includes:
Tyrone Power ... Don Diego Vega/Zorro
Linda Darnell ... Lolita Quintero
Basil Rathbone ... Captain Esteban Pasquale
Gale Sondergaard ... Inez Quintero
Eugene Pallette ... Fray Felipe
J. Edward Bromberg ... Don Luis Quintero
Montagu Love ... Don Alejandro Vega
Janet Beecher ... Señora Isabella Vega
George Regas ... Sergeant Gonzales
Chris-Pin Martin ... The Turnkey
Robert Lowery ... Rodrigo
Belle Mitchell ... Maria de Lopez
John Bleifer ... Pedro
Frank Puglia ... Propietor
Eugene Borden ... Officer of the Day
Pedro de Cordoba ... Don Miguel
Guy D'Ennery ... Don José
Stanley Andrews ... Commanding Officer
Ralph Byrd ... Student/Officer
Charles Stevens ... Jose, a Peón

BIOS:
1. Tyrone Power
Date of Birth: 5 May 1914 - Cincinnati, Ohio
Date of Death: 15 November 1958 - Madrid, Spain.

2. Linda Darnell
Date of Birth: 16 October 1923 - Dallas, Texas
Date of Death: 10 April 1965 - Glenview, Illinois

3. Basil Rathbone
Date of Birth: 13 June 1892- Johannesburg, South Africa
Date of Death: 21 July 1967 - New York, New York

4. Gale Sondergaard
Date of Birth15 February 1899 - Litchfield, Minnesota
Date of Death: 14 August 1985 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

5. Eugene Pallette
Date of Birth: 8 July 1889- Winfield, Kansas
Date of Death: 3 September 1954 - Los Angeles, California

6. J. Edward Bromberg
Date of Birth: 25 December 1903 - Temesvár, Austria-Hungary. [now Timisoara, Romania]
Date of Death: 6 December 1951 - London, England, UK

7. Rouben Mamoulian (Director)
Date of Birth: 8 October 1897 - Tiflis, Georgia, Russian Empire. [now Tbilisi, Georgia]
Date of Death: 4 December 1987 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. All new Colorized feature
2. Restored Black & White feature
3. Commentary by Film Critic Richard Schickel
4. Tyrone Power: :The Last Idol" as seen on Biography on A&E Network
5. Special Edition - Collectible Movie Photos from the film "The Mark of Zorro".

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO, CTO & Board Member) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 93 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox Video. ~ (10/18/2005)

The Mark of Zorro.......2007-06-25

Under Mamoulian's sure-footed direction, only Power could one-up Douglas Fairbanks with this rousing remake of the 1920 silent classic--still the zingiest and most technically dazzling "Zorro" of the bunch. Power is so adept at shifting from the slightly doltish Don Diego to the heroic masked avenger that it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role. Among the fabulous supporting cast, Rathbone stands out as Zorro's loathsome nemesis, Bromberg and Gale Sondergaard are delightful as the ruthless regents, and Darnell is winning as the love interest. Daring horseback rides, thrilling duels, exquisite cinematography...What more could you want in a swashbuckler?

Age of the TRUE swashbucklers.......2007-06-13

While I perfer my "oldies" in the true black and white format, it was very good to see a very good colorized version. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone who is in search of real romantic adventure. The cast is perfect and the acting superb. Highly recommended.

5 Stars for the movie, minus one for the annoying commercial.......2007-05-22

First, I'll agree with all the other posters on the quality of the story and acting. Swashbuckling, action fun in a way that simply doesn't get made anymore. If you enjoyed Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, you'll like this one too - two of the actors from Robin Hood even appear in Zorro in almost identical roles.

So, now to the annoying feature that lost this particular version a star: that stupid anti-piracy ad in the beginning of the colorized version that you can't skip past. I appreciate having the option to watch either the color version or the B&W, but if I have to sit through that 30-second torture every time I want to watch the color version, I think I'll stick to the B&W one.

The Douglas Fairbanks Collection (The Thief of Bagdad/The Mark of Zorro/The Three Musketeers/Robin Hood/The Black Pirate/Don Q, The Son of Zorro)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful collection, but some technical issues with DVDs
Action - adventure - romance

The Douglas Fairbanks Collection (The Thief of Bagdad/The Mark of Zorro/The Three Musketeers/Robin Hood/The Black Pirate/Don Q, The Son of Zorro)
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00014NF66
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful collection, but some technical issues with DVDs.......2006-02-08

I can't say enough good things about this box set, and the restorations done by Kino. Unfortunately, the "Zorro" DVD seems to have some kind of factory defect. It will not play at all. I've tried the DVD on several different players, and all of them reject it right away with a "DISC ERROR" message.

I returned my first order of this DVD box for an exchange, hoping that a fresh "Zorro" DVD would not have this problem. But it does, and it's factory sealed, so I have to assume it is a problem on Kino's end.

It doesn't sound like other users here had trouble with their "Zorro" DVD (but there is only one other review posted, so hard to tell if this has happened to other customers), but I'm so frustrated because this is the 2nd copy I've bought and STILL can't watch the "Mark of Zorro/Don Q - Son of Zorro" double-feature. This is the only DVD in the box that is a "dual-layer disc" - maybe the dual-layer technology is the trouble (?), as all the other "single-layer" discs in the set play just fine.

While this box is not a waste of money, you are going to take a loss if you buy the box and one of the 5 discs won't play. so instead of paying $90 for the set, you're probably better off to purchase each of the Kino DVD editions separately, and avoid the "Zorro" one altogether until they get this technical issue worked out.

Action - adventure - romance.......2004-12-05

OK I admit it, I haven't seen all of these movies. But here is the info on what I have seen:

The Thief of Bagdad - A very nice adventure movie. Fairbanks plays the thief, in love with the princess. He must infiltrate the palace and impress her more with a bit of magic and trickery. Out to stop him is a young May Wong, who wants her Chinese countryman to marry the princess. This is a really cool special effects movie. It has a genie, a flying carpet, lots of fake smoke and exotic costumes. (I saw the Kino VHS and picture quality was good.)

The Mark of Zorro - Fairbanks made this movie around 1920 when he was just starting out. He did all his own stunts, and knowing this made it that much cooler watching him go go go. This has the blend of action and humor that you will be familiar with from more modern Zorro movies. It is very watchable now and the stunts were frequent and impressive.

Robin Hood - A fabulous swashbuckler. The sets for this were huge and very expensive - they built a middeval castle right in the middle of then undeveloped Hollywood. At one point Fairbanks slides down a two story curtain in a long fantastic sword fight. This is good action and stunt filled adventure movie and similar to The Thief of Bagdad in terms of who will like it.

The Black Pirate - This is the oldest surviving three color film. That is film the stuff in the camera I am talking about. So the reason it gets published now is for historical interest in film methods. The story is OK, but the image quality is not so hot. This isn't Kino's fault - the film was in poor condition with many scratches. Fairbanks and crew of pirates do nifty stunts, including an underwater attack on a ship. However this movie is unlikely to appeal to most. Watch it for historical value or pass on it.

I haven't seen the other films included in this set. I think all of these are silent movies, just so you know. All except The Black Pirate have strong appeal today and are easy to watch. Silent movies that I have watched from Kino have color tinting and toning. (This is not colorization and these films could have had these colors when originally released. Silent film scripts provide notes on how to tint a scene for effect.) Kino does a great job with the silent movies so this is a safe investment.

Fans of Fairbanks should like this. University libraries should consider it also. Kino does consistent restorations of older films and at least three of these films are the sort of thing film students might want to have access to.

Average customer rating:

40s swashbuckling fun
"The Mark of Zorro (1940) ... Tyrone Power ... 20th Century Fox (2005)"
The Mark of Zorro
Age of the TRUE swashbucklers
5 Stars for the movie, minus one for the annoying commercial

The Mark of Zorro
Starring: Tyrone Power , Linda Darnell , Basil Rathbone , Gale Sondergaard , and Eugene Pallette
Director: Rouben Mamoulian
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008LDO2
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

40s swashbuckling fun.......2007-08-10

"The Mark of Zorro (1940) ... Tyrone Power ... 20th Century Fox (2005)".......2007-07-29

The Mark of Zorro.......2007-06-25

Age of the TRUE swashbucklers.......2007-06-13

5 Stars for the movie, minus one for the annoying commercial.......2007-05-22

Average customer rating:

Doug's Breakthrough Film
Classic Version Of Zorro With America's Leading Man. The Standard For Future Versions Of Zorro.
Douglas Fairbanks is soooo hot
One of the best of the silents.
Loved it!!!

The Mark of Zorro
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks , Noah Beery , Charles Hill Mailes , Claire McDowell , and Marguerite De La Motte
Director: Fred Niblo
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
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ASIN: 6305211094
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Amazon.com essential video

Douglas Fairbanks, the most famous of the Zorros, made this mix of comedy and derring-do reluctantly, as a change-of-pace from his modern-dress playboy roles. The Old California adventure fared so well at the box office it caused the athletic superstar to rethink his image and don period finery for his best later vehicles, including The Thief of Baghdad.

Here, Doug has a ball playing dual roles, as hopeless fop Don Diego and as masked caballero Zorro, sworn enemy of all oppressors. When he isn't dueling with the evil Capt. Ramon (Robert McKim) or rescuing peasants, Don Diego/Zorro courts the lovely Lolita (Marguerite de la Motte) with bad magic tricks and worse manners. In the end, when Lolita's family is jailed, our hero throws off his masquerade, whips out his rapier, and wins the leading lady's hand.

Full of fun plot twists, secret passageways, and Fairbanks's signature arms-akimbo bravado, this silent classic (with restored sepia interiors) became the model for all the Errol Flynn-Tyrone Power swashbucklers to come. --Glenn Lovell

Description

The Mark of Zorro is the swashbuckling story of a nineteenth century Robin Hood intent on freeing his beloved San Juan Capistrano from an evil Governor and his lecherous Captain. Don Diego Vega (Douglas Fairbanks) must assume the masked identity of Zorro to convince the Caballeros to join him in his quest to save the city from certain ruin.

Customer Reviews:

Doug's Breakthrough Film.......2006-07-29

Though lacking the high production values of its 1940 counterpart, the original "Mark of Zorro" is great fun. This adaptation of Johnston McCulley's "Curse of Capistrano" propelled Douglas Fairbanks from light comedian to adventure star. Inventive action sequences and a vigorous pace make this Doug's most enjoyable feature-length vehicle. For comic-book artist Bob Kane, the film was a major influence in the creation of Batman.

Classic Version Of Zorro With America's Leading Man. The Standard For Future Versions Of Zorro........2005-12-15

Johnston McCulley's first Zorro story "The Curse Of Capistrano" appeared in 1919. Douglas Fairbanks, known to audience for romantic comedies, adapted the story for the screen himself under an assumed name. The result set the standard for future adaptations of the masked bandit. This is a MUST for film buffs. Not Rated.

Douglas Fairbanks is soooo hot.......2004-12-05

Fairbanks made this movie around 1920 when he was just starting out. He did all his own stunts, and knowing this made it that much cooler watching him go go go. Fairbanks plays painfully awkward nobleman Don Diego and his alter-ego Zorro - the champion of the downtrodden. In both disguises he courts the lovely Lolita.

This movie has the blend of action and humor that will be familiar from more modern Zorro movies. The very very geeky Don Diego provides some comic relief, especially when courting Lolita. And of course Zorro plays plenty of tricks on the Spanish Governor and his guards. But the real draw here are the stunts. There is lots of swinging on ropes and chandaliers and lots of sword fighting.

This is very watchable now and the stunts were frequent and impressive. It is an excellent and enjoyable movie. It is also silent, so be aware cause if you aren't expecting it that could be weird.

One of the best of the silents........2004-01-02

The only silent film I have enjoyed as much as I enjoy the best of modern film is Buster Keaton's The General, but Douglas Fiarbanks' The Mark of Zorro holds up better than most silents. The original music by Jon C. Mirsalis adds a lot. The sequal, Don Q., Son of Zorro, is even better than "Mark", so be sure to buy the two films on one DVD from King Video.

Loved it!!!.......2003-02-04

This is a great silent film and my first with Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. (I love his son - he's cool and looks a lot like Cary Elwes in Princess Bride). He is great in the part-daring and dashing about here and there as Zorro while yawning into his hankercheif like a 'fish' while a rich gentleman. (You'll note the story is very remniscent of the Scarlet Pimpernel.) The 'lines' are great, the acting very well done and a number of parts will have you chuckling (like when the girl slaps him not once, not twice, not thrice - and with both hands on either cheek!) I'll have to say that this is one of the most enjoyable silent films i've seen in a while. When I put it on, even my little sister came to watch it.

Average customer rating:

The Mark of Zorro
Starring: Sr. Noah Beery , Jr. Noah Beery , Charles Belcher , Gilbert Clayton , and Sidney de Grey
Director: Fred Niblo
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000BDH62Q
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Average customer rating:

An excellent double feature
Fairbanks - King of the Action Stars
One of the better silent movies.
Have u seen this 1? Buckle all your swaches
Fairbanks in Fine Form

Mark of Zorro & Don Q Son of Zorro
Starring: Enrique Acosta , Mary Astor , Juliette Belanger , George Blankman , and Charles Byer
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000067IYE
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Customer Reviews:

An excellent double feature.......2006-12-08

As always, Kino has put out a marvelous DVD, this time featuring not just one but two classics. First up is 'The Mark of Zorro' (1920), the very first screen version of this famous oft-told tale of the masked bandit who fights injustice and the oppressors of the people in 19th century Spanish California. This film is special to me because it was the first Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., film I ever saw, though while it did make me want to see more of him, it didn't instantly make him into one of my favorite actors. However, he is very good in his dual role as both the athletic brash romantic brave Zorro and the shy Don Diego, who is a disgrace to his father because ever since he got back from school in Spain he spends more time doing tricks with handkerchiefs and idling around than trying to find a wife or solidify his place in society. As Zorro, he is capable of fighting the bad guys and romancing Lolita Pulido, the young lady his father wants him to marry, as though putting on the mask empowers him to do things that he wouldn't dream of doing as Don Diego. And as much as I normally dislike that old convention of the damsel in distress having to be saved by a man, even considering the era, what hotblooded heterosexual woman wouldn't want to be rescued by a nice drink of water like Doug? The ending is also really cute. As good as this film is, however, it does seem a bit chatty for a silent (not really necessary because of all of the great action sequences!), and it is a bit slow-moving at times, although one must consider that 1920 was sort of a transitional time for films. They were in the process of moving away from the conventions of the Teens and into the more subtle acting and more-developed plots that had come into prominence by about 1922 or so.

The second film, 'Don Q, Son of Zorro' (1925), while a sequel, is one of those sequels that can really stand on its own and make perfect sense without having seen the first installment. It's entirely its own story with its own new plot; the only recurring character is old Zorro, 30 years after the first film ended, though even he isn't the main character in this and doesn't have that much screen time. There's one flashback to the original film and that's about it in the way of relevant backstory. Once more he plays a dual role, as both Don Diego and his son (much like the dual role played by Rudy Valentino in 'The Son of the Sheik'). This film seems better-crafted and technically superior to the first, not least because the budget appears to have been bigger. The sets and costumes are gorgeous, and the plot is more complex, with more twists and turns. Doug's sister-in-law Lottie Pickford also has a fairly substantial role as Lola, one of his two faithful servants. Like his father before him, now Don Cesar de Vega too is away at school in Spain, and has gained quite some renown for his skill with the whip. This skill brings him to the attention of the queen, who invites him to a party at the palace, where he also makes the acquaintance of the queen's visiting cousin Archduke Paul of Austria. Cesar finds himself the target of Sebastian, one of the royal guards, because they both love the same woman, the lovely Dolores. The evil Sebastian succeeds in framing Cesar for murder, and the only person who knows Sebastian's secret, Don Fabrique Borusta, is threatened into silence. Cesar fakes his own death and goes into hiding at the ruins of his family's ancestral castle, where, together with his servants Lola and Robledo, he plots his revenge and concocts a plan to expose Sebastian for who he really is and to get the vital piece of evidence that will prove his innocence. Along the way, his father finds out about what's going on and sets out for Spain to help, reprising his role as Zorro. There's even more action and adventure in this picture than in the original, and the ending also hearkens back to the ending in the original. This was the film that really solidified Fairbanks as one of my favorite male actors.

The extras are a brief clip from the newsreel 'Fairbanks vs. Dempsey,' a home movie shot near his offices at United Artists, three entire chapters from a book he wrote in 1918, 'Making Life Worthwhile,' and an introduction to 'The Mark of Zorro' by Orson Welles. This lattermost extra includes clips from some of Doug's earlier films, with the special bonus of including a clip from his 1930 talkie 'Reaching for the Moon.' This was a real treat for me because I'd never heard his voice before. I would have expected a deeper voice, but he had a pleasant speaking voice regardless.

Overall, it's a great set, with two fantastic costume action-adventure pictures. They're but two great examples of how Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., was swashbuckling personified. This man was constantly in motion, barely staying still for a second, and doing these stunts with such ease and agility. Purists will complain that the print for 'Don Q' is a bit scratchy, but it's not like it's anywhere near unwatchable or distracting. Anyone who loves such old films should frankly be used to not always having pristine prints, instead of elevating the matter to such great importance, as though one's main concern is that the print actually shows its age and isn't as crystal-clear as other silent DVDs are, not how awesome the film is and how lucky we are that just about all of Doug's films are still with us, in comparison to the poor survival rate for many other silents. The scores for both films are also wonderful; I ordinarily prefer a score that has more than just a piano, but the instrument is used very well here and doesn't sound boring or monotonous.

Fairbanks - King of the Action Stars.......2004-08-19

If anyone doubts the temporal quality of fame, just think of Douglas Fairbanks to bring the point home. In his day, Douglas Fairbanks' fame was unprecedented. He and his wife, Mary Pickford, were thought of as America's royal family. Today, his marvelous action films are not watched save by film enthusiasts, and his face and name are lost to the youngest generation (if Jay Leno's "man on the street" interviews are any indication, our youngest Americans seem proud not to know the name of the Vice President, much less a silent screen actor like Fairbanks).

That Douglas Fairbanks should fade from memory is tremendously sad. "The Mark of Zorro" is a good example of the kind of film Fairbanks specialized in toward the end of the silent era, and were hugely popular because of the dynamic presence of its star.

There really has been nothing to compare with Fairbanks since his departure from films. No action star since can come close to his grace and power in an action film. If you doubt me, buy this DVD and see for yourself. Watch Fairbanks leap over tables, vault over chest-high walls to mount a horse, leap from a table top to a cornice near a ceiling, etc. And it was not just that he was able to do these feats, it is that he did them effortlessly. The sheer grace of the man was truly thrilling. He never seemed to strain for anything. I realized this while watching the Mark of Zorro during one scene when Fairbanks swings a leg up and dismounts a running horse, in full gallop, to land on his feet as easily as though he were stepping off the ladder. He made it look so easy, I went back and watched the scene again to make sure I had seen what I thought I saw. Yep, he had done it - smooth as silk.

Then there is his acting. In this film, Fairbanks plays a duel role: Don Diego, a foppish young noble, and his masked counterpart, Zorro. His portrayal of Don Diego is subtle and effective. His body seems shapeless and soft. His manner is distracted and indecisive and vaguely lost. He detests swordplay and is constantly wiping his face due to his great "fatigue." When his love interest declares "He is not a man - he is a fish!" she hits the nail on the head. Yet when he dons the mask, his body and manner are reborn. His body looks lithe and full of movement, and his smile, that tremendous, beaming smile that radiated pure happiness, is almost as devastating as his blade.

Finally, there is the art design and sets of this film. Fairbanks loved these period pieces, and he spared no expense on research and detail. His care, financial investment, and dedication to craft really show. Everything has a beautiful, "deep" feel.

As a side note, this review is based on the Kino DVD release of this film, and as with all the Kino releases, this edition looks simply great. God Bless Kino for being one of the best companies preserving and marketing silent films.

If you have bothered to read this review, please buy this film. If you do, Douglas Fairbanks will be popular and famous again, at least in your heart.

-Mykal Banta

One of the better silent movies........2004-01-02

While not as good as, say, Buster Keaton's The General, this is the best of the silent Zorro films. Buy the DVD that has both The Mark of Zorro and Don Q, Son of Zorro from King Video. "Mark" is entertaining, "Don Q" is even better. The original music by Jon C. Mirsalis for the two films is excellent.

Have u seen this 1? Buckle all your swaches.......2003-01-21

amzing. doug can jump like noone else before or since. a few chase sequences to rival buster.
zorro is excellent filmmaking. It starts with a soldier with a z on his face explaining it's not his fault.For 16 minutes zorro remains offscreen. When he does finally appear it's really cool.
don q, son of zorro, is even more amazing. Five years after zorro and doug looks even more athletic.The plot is far more complicated, but better than zorro. I'll never look at Mary Astor in Maltese Falcon the same way agin. She's breathtaking.
Score is excellent. If you like Errol and Ty and later swordsmen get this one.

Fairbanks in Fine Form.......2002-08-13

Although Kino makes no boast about print quality on the box, its print of MARK OF ZORRO seems to be from an excellent 35 mm source. This film is the first, and many say the best, of Doug Fairbanks' swashbucklers that he personally financed and produced during the 1920s. His subsequent films were more elaborate - he seemed to rival DeMille in epic production quality - but ZORRO is the most consistently energetic. Fairbanks remains in a class by himself as a superstar and he became a multi-millionaire by acting out his daydreams in films. That's nice work if you can get it!

DON Q, SON OF ZORRO is almost as good but bogs down here and there in story complications. The print quality and contrast is not as good as ZORRO and I suspect that DON Q comes from a 16 mm. print. The five years between the two films show Fairbanks' reputation as a producer having grown: DON Q looks as though it costs four times what MARK OF ZORRO cost. Jon Mirsalis' piano score is very qood and he captures everything that silent film accompaniment should be: melodic and never intrusive.

The bonus material is interesting but I wonder why KINO didn't include the five minutes or so of outtakes from DON Q that has been in circulation for years. The unidentified sound film excerpt of Fairbanks included with Orson Welles' introduction is from the 1931 talkie, REACHING FOR THE MOON. Even in the excerpt, Fairbanks seems rather constrained by the dialogue chores. When he enters a room by vaulting through the window, he lands with a "thump," showing why sound films would rob Fairbanks of the illusion of effortless agility so wonderfully masked in his silent films. Three chapters from his 1918 motivational book, Making Life Worthwhile, are included. Some say the book and others published during that time were ghostwritten for Fairbanks. In any event, I've wondered why he had nothing to say to the public during the years of the Great Depression in the 1930s when people really needed a boost.

Description

When New York journalist Johnston McCulley penned the first fable of Zorro in 1919, he had no idea his creation would inspire adventure stories for the rest of the century. BIOGRAPHY reveals the fascinating origins and daring exploits of this action hero from his pulp fiction birth in a pop magazine to his many incarnations in comic books, TV shows and on celluloid. See classic excerpts from "Zorro Rides Again" and "Zorro's Fighting Legion." Discover how Steven Spielberg replicated some of Zorro's greatest stunts in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and hear cartoonist Bob Kane acknowledge the masked avenger as his inspiration for Batman! Vintage and contemporary film clips show the many faces of the famed action hero, and Zorro enthusiasts speak of his timeless appeal.

Average customer rating:

Mark Of Zorro
Starring: Douglas Fairbanks Sr.; Marguerite De La Motte; Noah Berry
Director: Fred Niblo
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000KJTC50
Release Date: 2006-11-13

Description

Douglas Fairbanks thrills audiences with his skilled swordplay as the Robin Hood figure of old southern California in this action-adventure classic -- his first swashbuckler and perhaps his best film. He portrays a foppish son of a wealthy California rancher, but then puts on a disguise in order to fight the evil tyrant Captain. Non-stop fun. Enormous sets gave him plenty of room to swash and buckle in.

Average customer rating:

40s swashbuckling fun
"The Mark of Zorro (1940) ... Tyrone Power ... 20th Century Fox (2005)"
The Mark of Zorro
Age of the TRUE swashbucklers
5 Stars for the movie, minus one for the annoying commercial

The Mark of Zorro [Region 2]
Starring: Tyrone Power , Linda Darnell , Basil Rathbone , Gale Sondergaard , and Eugene Pallette
Director: Rouben Mamoulian
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008OP5V

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Customer Reviews:

40s swashbuckling fun.......2007-08-10

"The Mark of Zorro (1940) ... Tyrone Power ... 20th Century Fox (2005)".......2007-07-29

The Mark of Zorro.......2007-06-25

Age of the TRUE swashbucklers.......2007-06-13

5 Stars for the movie, minus one for the annoying commercial.......2007-05-22

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