Mask of Zorro [DVD] [1998]

A lusty and rousing adventure, this calls to mind those glorious costume dramas produced so capably by the old Hollywood studio system--hardly surprising, in that its title character, a de facto Robin Hood in Old California, provided starring vehicles for Douglas Fairbanks and Tyrone Power, the 50s TV hit, and dozens of serials and features. Zorro, a pop-fiction creation invented by Johnston McCulley in 1918, is given new blood in this fast-moving and engaging version, which actually works as a sequel to the story line in the Fairbanks-Power saga, The Mark of Zorro. A self-assured Anthony Hopkins is Don Diego de la Vega, a Mexican freedom fighter captured and imprisoned just as Spain concedes California to Santa Ana. Twenty years later, he escapes from prison to face down his mortal enemy, a land grabbing governor played with slimy spitefulness by Stuart Wilson. Too old to save the local peasants on his own, he trains bandito Antonio Banderas to take his place. Much swashbuckling ensues as Banderas woos Catherine Zeta-Jones, becomes a better human being and saves the disenfranchised rabble. Director Martin Campbell wisely instils a measure of frivolity into the deftly choreographed action sequences, while letting a serious tone creep in when appropriate. This covers much ground under the banner of romantic-action-adventure and it does so most excellently. --Rochelle O'Gorman

DVD Special Features

Unmasking Zorro
Deleted Scenes
Director's Commentary
Music Video
US Theatrical Trailer
Filmographies
Photo Gallery
Audio Set Up
LAnguage Choice
Multiple Language Subtitles
Scene Selections
Ratio: 1:2.35
Running Time: 132 minutes approx

A sweeping tale of love and honor, tragedy and triumph set against the Spanish conquest of Mexico, THE MASK OF ZORRO stars Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas. After twenty years as the legendary Zorro, Don Diego (Hopkins) must transform a troubled drifter (Banderas) into the fearless hero he oncewas.

With the slash of a steel blade and the mark of a "Z", he defends the weak and exploits and avenges the wrongs committed against them...

It has been twenty years since Don Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) successfully fought Spanich oppression in Alta California as the legendary romantic hero Zorro. He transforms troubled bandit Alejandro (Antonio Banderas) into his successor, in order to stop the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson), who robbed him of his freedom, his wife, and his precious daughter Elena (Catherine Zeta Jones) all those years ago.

The Mask of Zorro follows Alejandro as he assumes de la Vega's mantle and embarks on a passionate journey of love and homour, tragedy and triumph in a swashbuckling epic of an adventure.