User reviews

First off, I just want to make it known that I adored this show! I don't even remember my first time watching it. All I remember is seeing an ad for it, then months passing without seeing a full-length show, then channel surfing to find a masked woman in black sword-fighting soldiers. That got my attention and held it for the rest of the series. Sure, it's basically Zorro only with a lead female instead of a male, but it was (and still is) a joy to watch! The scripts were original and clever, the costumes were beautiful, and the landscape was just stunning! The fights were also done well, as were the shots of the actors on horseback (I'm a horse-lover, so I noticed this).

The big problem with it was the dialogue between characters. Some of it was clichéd, other times absurd. But then most of the time, it was it was decent. Sometimes I knew the next lines before the actors themselves said them. Despite that, the show was engaging and the characters were likable, even the villains: you just loved to hate them and see their plans get foiled. Tessie Santiago and Peter Wingfield had such great chemistry together that I wish the series could have gone on just to see what would come of their relationship (especially since I have a somewhat unhealthy crush on Wingfield).

This show was robbed by being cancelled after only one season, and I'm just glad that I managed to record most of the episodes before it stopped airing frequently on SiTV. I will always love this show!

!Viva la Reina!

A beautiful raven haired Vixen rules the screen. Unlike the leather clad Xeena, this Heroine come along elegant and beautifully dressed. The best in feminine power. The womens fashion of this period was extremely sexy, only to be surpassed in the 50's. The Heroine represent's it so well. Having her men (adversaries) well under control, fooling them at every turn. Elusive but not non approachable. I would have liked an more mature-adult version, but this version can be viewed by the whole family. Still, I give it an 8 out of 10 stars, just for good viewing pleasure. I would buy the complete set, if made available on DVD. And I was very disappointed, when the series was discontinued. I still would say: Go Girl Go ! I loved it.

After ghostbusters, it seems that rebooting a successful franchise with a female lead, doesn't guarantee its success. Yet this is exactly what happened with the 'Queen of swords'. Having grown up with the old Zorro series starring Duncan Regehr, this one seems to be aimed at a slightly older audience, he antagonists aren't true stereotypical cartoon characters as much, sometimes posing a real threat and actually killing people; but nothing overly violent. For what it is, an 80s-like show aiming for some swashbuckling entertainment, it couldn't have been executed better. It's a little more layered and fleshed out than the original Zorro series, but not so deep as to abandon its fun concept. A great job, reaching a well deserved 7/10, the maximum I'll give for the genre.

This "movie" (actually series) is well done and the cast is quite good. I love the "Queen of Swords" herself. You have to be a real movie fan by which I mean you go to the movies to be entertained not to review everyday realism. For an action, adventure fan this is a top one to see. I am setting my satellite recorder to record it every day until it goes off the air. Would like to see a full length movie done with this material and actors. Movies like this don't win academy awards as the people doing the awards do not have real life exposure but instead live in the world of make-believe. Those that live in the real world appreciate make-believe movies. I am completely entertained by movies like the "Mask of Zorro" and understand that the majority of the activity is really not very close to reality; but I have that all day so I don't go to the movies to see "reality". I am completely wrapped up in the "Queen of Swords" and love every minute.

How horrible this show was not well received. I've only found it recently on reruns on SiTV and I love it. I've seen two episodes and was hooked after the first. I like other syndicated series like Xena, Relic Hunter, Andromeda but the historical aspects and the stories I've seen so far are more realistic and the story of Zorro is a classic. She is dressed better than a lot of the women in similar series. The one comment Family Friendly is important to me and this one seems excellent.

Boy do I wish there was more than one season I would love to have the VHS tapes

If anyone knows how to find them email me at bijou2u@hotmail.com

I do love Zorro and having a girl as Zorro is great!!! I like shows where the hero has a secret identity and loves someone who doesn't really care for them as normally. It may only be romantic fiction but its a great escape from the normal everyday world.

After searching this title for several years, I finally obtained a French-language copy in 2013 with an optional original soundtrack, Which has the little drawback that everything on-screen (title & credits) are in French, but that is just a minor, minor complaint in comparison to not having it at all and wishfully dreaming If Only... Being RavenGlamDVDCollector, I am backlogged with my viewing and seasonal in my habits, and labeled this as ideal winter viewing and only started tonight, just more than fourteen years later after having seen this show on (dismal) local TV. I am just as much taken with it tonight as I was way back then. The characters are great, goodies and baddies alike. The Queen makes a wonderful Avenging Angel on the horse, with her mane of hair, the horse's mane and the horse's tail --- poetry in glorious fiery motion. Also notice how Tessie Santiago transforms when she's got the sword in her hands, with her long hair down, flailing in the desert wind. The mask adds wonderfully to her allure, she becomes real foxy.

But a bit unbelievable?? Those dudes don't recognize her?? It is so obvious?? Well, that's needed for the story...

Set in majestic surroundings, with prize-winning horse-flesh, including Montero, as Captain Grisham's horse, that has got to be the loveliest animal that ever existed. The horse is so glam that mere mortals pale in comparison to it. Fortunately the Casting Department absolutely outdid themselves. Not only does Tessie wonderfully transform into the Queen in such a way that I doubt anybody else, wherever in time, could compare, but Valentine Pelka as the treacherous Colonel Montoya, Anthony Lemke as the stoic Captain Grisham, and Peter Wingfield as noble Dr Helm, cannot be replaced, cause what else would their replacements be but poor imitations at best? And a beauty like Elsa Pataky, as unfaithful Vera, with that inimitable voice, is a national treasure! But the show's success absolutely hinges on Tessie as the Queen, and there is just MAGIC when she appears as the Colonel's nemesis, and for anybody who hasn't seen this, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE MISSING, YOU FOOL!

I will add the French title soon for those of you still on your quests to find the DVD. Something L'Epee. SOUS LE SIGNE L'EPEE*. Meanwhile, I can be reached at RavenGlamDVDCollector@gmail.com for assistance in locating DVDs featuring popular actresses. Free service. For the love of the game.

*Confusingly, the on-screen title is TESSA Á LA POINTE L'ÉPÉE whatever that means, French is Greek to me, mon cheri. But never fear, at the flick of a button you have an English soundtrack, though no English subtitles, sorely missed.

Tessie Santiago star's as the aforementioned 'Queen Of Swords', the world's greatest warrior. Charged with protecting the innocent and revealing the corrupt the sexy business woman goes about her days as a kind of western Bruce Wayne. When injustice is alive she pulls on her heroine uniform and mask, armed with her sword and whip she takes out whole armies before they even knew what hit them! Tessie is perfection in her role as wealthy heiress and sword welding Superheroine, undoubtedly the sexiest, toughest and coolest heroine of her time. She makes Zorro look like the milky bar kid!

Queen Of Swords was an excellent syndicated TV series that was basically the adventures of a female Zorro, but was unique on its own. Sadly, this show only lasted one season (2000-2001) and was caught in the battle of syndication ratings from other shows like Sheena, Xena: Warrior Princess, Beastmaster, Relic Hunter, Andromeda, etc. Not garnering enough viewers, the show was cancelled by its producer, Fireworks Entertainment.

This show had excellent writing, great action/stunts, wonderful 19th-century costume designs, and a remarkable cast of talented stars, along with some well established actors & actresses making guest starring roles during its run. The series was filmed entirely on location in Almeria, Spain. This, of course, made for excellent scenery.

The big surprise was the show's main lead herself, Tessie Santiago, who played Tessa Alvarado/Queen Of Swords. This was her first professional acting work, and she really showed that she is a talented (and beautiful) actress, and that she can carry a series. I hope that she has a successful acting career in the many years to come.

Great show with adventure and swashbuckling stories in the style of Zorro.

"Queen of Swords" is a show for all ages and I think it captures the old swashbuckler style of the great old adventure movies and TV series such as Walt Disney's "Zorro". In a matter of fact, in my opinion, this show is an unofficial extension of the 1998 movie "The Mask of Zorro".

All the actors are great. Tessie Santiago is fantastic as both Tessa and The Queen.

The stories are wonderful with a lot of surprises, good humour and adventure!

This show aired in Portugal in 2001. I was 14 then and loved it. I still love it now.

Tess Santiago plays the Masked heroine of the title. The Queen Of Swords is the greatest swords person the world has ever known, a superheroine of her times is also a badass happy to beat up all the bad guys. So superior that the townsfolk believes that she is a guy, men shiver in her presence fearing that she will end them and save the damsel. Girls swoon in her presence longing to kiss the lips of the masked heroine they call the Queen Of Swords. The greatest tv series of all time setting up the superhero revolution that would soon follow, the only heroine that Batman,Superman and the entire marvel universe would bend a knee before and announce that she is truly the master.

Thrilling, sexy, boy breaking, classic!!!

I used to watch this show when I was in Residency on cable when I lived in San Antonio. I can't remember the channel. At the time shows like Xena and Hercules were very popular. The lead actress Tessie Santiago literally took my breath away the moment I saw her. Tessie performed superbly with the sword play and also played her role with exquisite feminine charm and could play a nurturing motherly role in one scene or a coquette with Captain Grisham in the next. I never understood how Hollywood promoted actresses like Eva Longoria, Zoe Saldana or Jennifer Lopez instead of Tessie Santiago. Tessie has more beauty and talent in the pinky finger of her non dominant hand than any of these other actresses in their whole bodies. My only complaint about the show was the doctor they had as her love interest - Dr Robert Helm played by Peter Wingfield. In my opinion his character was all wrong for the show. Ironically the personality of Captain Grisham would have been better for Tessie. I wish they had cast Anthony Lemke as the good guy/love interest/ sword fighting ally to Tessie. An honorable shout out to Elsa Pataky and Valentine Pelka who were great characters on the show.

I, too, thought, "A female Zorro," when I saw the description. I loved the Zorro movie and figured I'd watch. As the show has progressed it has been made clear that though that is an inspiration this is not "just a rip-off in drag." There is a great deal of style and humour in the scripts. The action is excellent, but there is character development as well. Poetic justice is common; moral values are there, but not shoved down a viewer's throat. This series will last--and deserves to. This is one I won't miss--it's programmed into the VCR for weekly so I can never manage to forget it.

I love the new ZORRO babe, she will definitely run Xena out of town. Original story lines, really adds allure this soon to be made classic. If only the original writers of ZORRO could come up with such outrageous materiel, maybe then it would not have been cancelled. Despite the wonderful script, and character development, at least there is a babe!!!

but different. not only for a female version of one of great heroes of modern literature, but for the art of Tessie Santiago to create a character on her size. justice has its special nuances and the courage to propose new form of old story is not only ambition. because not only fight scenes are remarkable but the grace of a hero - brave, smart, generous - and feminine.the dialogs, the science to not create a Manichean tale, the basic values in right package, the music and the atmosphere who reminds more than a feminist version.that is the heart of this series. its source of charm and identity sign in a long tradition of Zorro movies

The show is very well scripted with phenomenal acting by the star and the co-stars. Queen of Swords is an obvious female Zorro but with some differences which make the series relevant to Y2K and more interesting than the old Zorro series. The scripts are able to cover a great amount of information in 43 minutes so the viewer feels satisfied but not confused about how the story got from point A to point B. The show reminds one of Batgirl and Xena mixed together, but better. Definitely a memorable piece of television to start off this millennium.

"Queen of Swords" is nothing but a ripoff of the old Zorro legends, updated with the current "Xena"--ass-kicking girls craze. I have nothing against strong female figures on TV--"Dark Angel," for instance is a great show. But show some originality, please -- the main character is nothing but Don Diego de la Vega with breasts!