Product Description

A sweeping romantic adventure of love and honor, tragedy and triumph set against Mexico's fight for independence. Twenty years have past since Don Diego de la Vega (Hopkins) fought oppression as the legendary hero, Zorro. Now he must find a successor and he chooses Alejandro Murietta (Banderas), a bandit with a troubled past who he must, somehow, transform into the fearless fighter he once had been. Then, armed with sword, whip, mask and the jet-black stallion, Tornado, the new Zorro must stop tyrant Raphael Montero, newly returned from Spain with a plot to actually buy California and enslave the populous to work in his mines.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2271 in DVD
• Brand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
• Released on: 2005-10-18
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
• Dubbed in: French, Portuguese, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 136 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
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 instills 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

Amazon.com
In this day of movies in which one can't tell whether the action was manufactured by computer generation or by a cookie cutter, The Mask of Zorro is a grand throwback. It recalls and celebrates the fantasy workshop that Hollywood was and can be at its best. It's an audience pleaser in the best sense of the word, combining great-looking performers with gorgeous vistas and production design, a story that is familiar yet never insults the viewer's intelligence, and plenty of eye-popping action.

Anthony Hopkins stars as the original Zorro, a masked vigilante protecting his people from official corruption in Mexico and what will become California (from Hannibal Lecter to Merchant-Ivory to action hero--is there nothing this man cannot do?). He's imprisoned for his troubles, and upon his release, mentors an impetuous pupil (Antonio Banderas, more suave than ever) in the fine arts of swordplay and triumphing over evil. Catherine Zeta-Jones capably portrays the beauty linked to both men--Zorro I's daughter, Zorro II's object of desire.

The plotting contains few surprises, but the interplay between the three leads is always winning, and the winks to the swashbuckling genre are playful without ever being heavy-handed or campy. --David Kronke

From The New Yorker
Antonio Banderas cuts a dashing figure as Johnston McCulley's Robin Hood-like hero, but director Martin Campbell's lumpy direction doesn't coalesce into anything much beyond a pleasant assembly of set pieces. Still, there are some wonderful moments, particularly Banderas's rousing swordplay-as-foreplay scenes with his gorgeous co-star, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and his flamboyantly choreographed duelling scenes with the glinty-eyed Anthony Hopkins, who trains Banderas like a Jedi Knight. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Zorro has never been given a better treatment!
Remember all those old movies where the swashbuckling hero swoops down to the rescue and saves the day for one and all, defeating the enemies and getting the girl all within a few hours' entertainment? "The Mask of Zorro" is a testament to those movies, embodying all of these characteristics in its magnificent story and exhilarating action sequences. With a powerhouse cast that seems as if they were born to play the parts they play, as well as strong music and a solid story, Zorro once again rises from Hollywood deterioration to save the day in a movie that is good, old-fashioned fun from beginning to end!

The old Zorro legend is given a new twist with this film, which begins with Don Diego de la Vega, the original and legendary Zorro, saving a group of prisoners from execution in the town square and leaving his mark on his nemesis, Don Raphael, warning him to leave and never return. Raphael does leave, but not before killing de la Vega's wife and taking his child, also having him imprisoned. Many years later, Raphael returns, "daughter" in tow, to name himself the new governer and to make sure his past enemy is all but alive in his prison. Through extreme craftiness and cunning, de la Vega escapes, only to discover his life is no longer what it once was.

His venture into the public brings him to the attention of one Alejandro Murrieta, who quarrels with him in the marketplace and then resolves himself to friendship. The two do share a past: on the day of Zorro's last battle, Alejandro, along with his brother, saved him from death. Now, Alejandro is distraught and torn with revenge for Captain Harrison Love, the murderer of his brother, and agrees to take on the mask once worn by de la Vega, who in turn will teach him the art of fighting with honor and grace.

The movie is one of those tributes to the old movies of the past, which played out the story of a hero who won all the goods and the girl in the ending. This one admittedly involves a few more characters than those old movies, but that's not to say that they don't each play a special part in the advancement of the movie. The romance, epic scale, action sequences and extreme wit are all present, making this a very exciting and memorable movie experience.

The advancement of the plot lies within the external battle between Raphael and our two heroes, who devise plan after plan to bring him to his downfall. They discover that he has made plans of tricking Santa Anna out of his own land, thus setting the stage for the impending climax which pits good against evil. The characters are all given the chance to become complex and intelligent, which is important in a movie like this. As they begin to outmatch one another, this adds on to the movie's tension over who will win out in the end.

The settings and music have a vast effect on the look and feel of this movie, which takes place in the 19th century. The sets are full of artistic influences from Spanish backgrounds and artists, giving it the true look and feel of the time period. Costume design also adds to the grandeur and pomp of the aristocracy as well as the impoverished conditions of the poor, adding to the contrast between the two differing demographics. The music, composed by James Horner, is amazing, employing Spanish instruments and rhythms while keeping a mordern feel to its score as well. The music adds a lot of heart to the movie, bringing out the intensity, the romance, the passion, and the victories with stylish and rousing compositions that fit right into the entire picture.

The choreography and stunts for this film are what really make it work for the audience, dazzling us with some of the most effective swordplay ever acted out on film. Most of the battle scenes involve men with swords, fighting against one another with an honorable form of battle. Actors Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson and Matt Letscher all hit the swordplay as if they are prose, adding believability as well as excitement to these scenes.

The actors mentioned above bring so much to the movie. Banderas is magnificent in his role as Alejandro, the new Zorro, a role he seems destined to have played. His looks, his charm, and his wit and personality all make this Zorro one of the finest ever. Hopkins brings his usual presence to the movie, establishing his character as one of immense wit and intelligence, while also possessing a vast knowledge of the art of fighting. Catherine Zeta-Jones sparkles in her role as Elena, de la Vega's daughter, and the chemistry between she and Banderas is dazzling and intense. Stuart Wilson and Matt Matt Letscher play our enemies, and they do so with performances to match those of the heroes.

"The Mask of Zorro" is one big piece of fun that works on many different levels. Some will find pleasure in watching the actors work with the material, some will find intrigue in watching the romance unfold, while the action and adventure will most likely be the most influential factor that wins over the audience. It never stops moving, and keeps dishing out the thrills, the laughs, and the cheers.

High Quality DVD, Swashbuckling Fun....HALF the Price!
This review refers to the Columbia TriStar DVD Dec 2000 release of "The Mask of Zorro"......

You're a big fan of this Zorro film but don't want to shell out big bucks? This DVD is for you. Columbia/TriStar's transfer to DVD is one of the best I've seen. There isn't one detail about it that's inferior. The picture is presented in beautiful anamorphic widescreen(2.35:1), and shows off the incredible cinematography of the Mexico/California regions. The colors are outstanding. They jump out at you and take your breath away.The sound including the wonderful score, the dialouge and all the swashbuckling action is outstanding in the Dolby Dgigtal 5.1(THX) surround. You can also set it up for 2.0 stereo if you choose.You won't find a ton a special features, but there is "making of" featurette, with some commentary by cast and crew, that is entertaining and informative.For those who would prefer more on the side of extras and don't mind paying more, there is a "special edition" release that has lots of goodies including a video, and lots of commentary(see buying info). There is also a "super-bit" version, also more expensive if you choose.(Don't look for extras there).

The movie is packed with action, adventure, romance, and comedy and drama.It will appeal to you if you love westerns, history, or swashbucklers. The story opens with Zorro(Anthony Hopkins)bounding in to help save the Mexican people from the ruthless Don Rafeal Montero(Stuart Wilson). They have been under Spanish rule and are now about to be free. Montero and Don Diego de la Vega/Zorro have been sworn enemies for years. Montero follows De La Vega back to his home, finds that he is Zorro, a swordfight ensues, Diego's wife is murdered, his baby girl stolen and he is imprisoned.Montero flees back to Spain and raises the child as his own.

Twenty years later........Diego learning of Montero's return, see's a chance to reclaim his daughter, Elena(the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones) and breaks out of prison. He now trains a younger and stronger man, Alejandro Murietta(Antonio Banderas), to take his place and to help save the people once again from the ruthless Montero.Lots of adventure abounds as they set out to accomplish these feats, and of course lots of romantic adventure as well between Alejandro and Elena.You never knew sword fighting was so much fun and so sexy until you see these two in a duel!

Hopkins is exquiste as the older Zorro, Banderas charming, funny, and handsome as ever,and Zeta-Jones in one of her earliest roles really shines through. Other notables to watch for are L.Q. Jones as "Three-Fingered Jack", and Pedro Armendariz Jr as Don Pedro. Cinematography by Phil Meheux(The Saint/Goldeneye)is outstanding, Musical score by James Horner brillant as always in giving the perfect feeling to the story, and wonderful direction by Martin Campbell(Vertical Limit/Goldeneye).

Watch for "The Sign of the Z"........Laurie

Soon to be a classic
This film is probably the best sword fighting film I have seen with lots of action and a great story line. A film fact is that the guy who teachs the actors how to sword fence has done so many movies from robin hood, three muskateers and now zorro he is actually in his 70's. Basically the story involves De la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) who is the original Zorro in the movie and then after years of him being in jail he teaches alexandro(Antonio Bandaras) all his skills to continue his service to the people a master/apprentice type movie. A classic quote from the movie De la vega:"zorro was a servant of the people he did what was needed !" Alexandro "Yes and now he is needed agian". The acting is superb Anthony Hopkins(enough said), Antonio Bandaras plays the part of zorro reall swarve and calm and not forgeting the lovely Catherine Zeta Jones who has a spanish look about her and her accent is well done well suited to the part. The DVD sound and picture is superb quality and the special documentary is very interesting, it explains all the planning that is put into the movie from the staged sword fights to the backround scenary.