Zorro

Tongue in cheek romp, clever action shots, slap stick comic relief, silly theme song, great scenery and lavish costumes, what more can one ask from a $1 DVD?

I found this DVD in the dollar bin at Big Lots along with several others. The rest were not saving, but Zoro is a keeper.

The interplay between Zoro (Alain Delon) and Col. Huerta (Stanley Baker) is excellent. They spar verbally in the first half of the film, which climaxes in a long sword fight between the two. Incidentally, Stanley Baker died the year after completing Zorro, at age 49.

Ottavia Piccolo plays the female role to perfection.

RELEASED IN 1975 and directed by Duccio Tessari, "Zorro" stars Alain Delon as a new Spanish governor in Mexican California in the 1820s. With the populace of Nueva Aragón under the oppressive rule of corrupt Colonel Huerta (Stanley Baker), the foppish governor becomes the masked adventurer, Zorro, to bring justice. Ottavia Piccolo plays the noble hottie; Enzo Cerusico Zorro's mute servant; and Moustache a bumbling fat bastage soldier.

The version I viewed cut out an entire half hour, so I might raise my rating if I eventually see the longer version. Nevertheless, there's enough good in the short version to make this colorful European rendition of Zorro worth catching if you like swashbuckling adventure flicks with joie de vivre ("joy of living"), like "The Musketeer" (2001), "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) and, of course, "The Mask of Zorro" (1998).

I'm familiar with protagonist Delon from a couple of his prior films, "Texas Across the River" (1966) and "Red Sun" (1971), where he struck me as a striking, charismatic actor; unfortunately, he's not well known in the USA. Regardless, he's just perfect for the role of Zorro. Meanwhile, Piccolo is mind-blowing as the honorable senorita. The closing elongated sword fight is possibly the best bout of fencing put to celluloid, next to the one at the end of "Rob Roy" (1995).

THE MOVIE RUNS 2 hours (with a widely circulated 87 minute version) and was shot in Almería & Madrid, Spain. WRITERS: Giorgio Arlorio (story) and Giorgio Arlorio (screenplay).

GRADE: B

Having grown up with the Disney/Guy Willimas Zorro and become a Zorro fan I have tried watching as many versions of the Zorro movies that have been made. I really enjoyed this one. I think Alain Delon makes a great Zorro and while it doesn't stay true to the original novel (and let's face it most of the Zorro movies that have been made as well as the Zorro TV shows, very few followed the book) it is full of action, great settings and an entertaining cast. I have to confess I am very partial to the European Zorro productions from the 60's and early 70's. They are rather campy but very entertaining. I'm surprised this Zorro movie has not been released in a good DVD version as Alain Delon is a well know actor.

Sit down and enjoy an evening with Alain Delon as Senor Zorro in a great swashbuckling movie.

Yes - I actually like the strange song featured throughout this film.

As others have commented - growing up in the seventies, this was THE Zorro film, probably my favorite Zorro film... slightly campy, but thoroughly entertaining - reminiscent of the Three & Four Musketeer movies, also from the early seventies.

Alain DeLeon is as good as can be - the film covers all the classic Zorro elements and delivers far better than average fight scenes - especially the finale. Simply fun to watch.

One warning: I purchased a cheap VHS copy and was very disappointed to find it re-edited from the original (which I remember very clearly) - a few scenes are completely botched. Where's the DVD release... with extras?

I was introduced to Zorro by the Guy Williams version which were regularly repeated when I was a kid. Those Disney Zorro's will always have a special place for me.

Alain Delon starred in a curious Italian version filmed in Spain and set in South America.

Delon is Don Diego. When his friend Miguel is killed in the eve of his departure to the New World, Diego takes his place as the new governor who has arrived from Spain in order to avenge his friend's death.

Diego plays the Governor as prissy and fey in order not to be seen as a threat. He finds the people are oppressed by the cruel and corrupt Colonel Huerta (Stanley Baker) who has plans to become the new Governor and was involved in the death of Miguel

Inspired by the tales of the masked black fox by street kids he dons the mask of Zorro and fights for justice which enrages the Colonel and his militia.

Alain Delon enjoys playing the dual roles as foppish Diego and the devilish and dashing Zorro. He is matched in one of his last film roles by Stanley Baker as the mean villain but an expert swordsman which leads to a terrific and thrilling final duel between the two.

Minor characters provide humour such as the mute sidekick and Seargent Garcia.

The film does come across like a curious and campy B film with a diverse cast. The French actor Delon as the Main hero, Welsh actor Baker as the villain and the rest of the cast seem to be mainly Italian.

However the action scenes are well choreographed and it does feel like a Zorro movie and it is very unpretentious.