The Mark of Zorro

Ricardo Montalbon does a fair job, but the rest of the acting is atrocious. The Tyrone Power Jr. version was one of the hallmarks of filmdom, and one of my all time favorite movies. I had never seen this movie till today, and couldn't stand more than 20 minutes of it.

I'll admit to being a huge Frank Langella fan, but he definitely adds a demeanor to the role that is less 'superhero' as in the other Zorros. He plays the buffoon part well and Ricardo Montalban is a super antagonist to his Zorro. Everyone plays right into the game and Langella's voice and mannerisms (acting) really makes the role. While there is some romance, it does not detract from the main goal of Zorro. The scenes with him and his promised bride are short, intensely romantic without being over the top. He also plays the role with his father while showing the pain it causes in his heart to deceive his father. He plays the parts so well

This is a very miserable remake of the 1940 classic that I know like the back of my hand. This comical refuse is an insult to Tyrone Power and the rest of his excellent ensemble. I was quite alive when this TV movie was released in 74 and yet somehow, I have managed to avoid it up to now. I am glad I missed it. Re-creations are always perilous, and seldom do they own up to the original they try to capture some of the essence. Steve Martin trying the Pink Panther on for size was a colossal mistake. He should have learned from this cinematic flop, that classics should be left untouched. In other words, go make your own classic and stop pilfering from the great ones. All in all, the Zorro brand has survived this blip on the entertainment radar. Banderas saw to that, by making decent renditions. Other than that, leave this franchise alone. It is good where it sits.

I saw this movie on TV for the first time when I was 12 and it holds a special place in my heart. It was my first exposure to Zorro and I was fascinated. Frank Langella was captivating as the hero and Ricardo Montalban was wonderfully evil as the villain. Since then I think I have seen every other version ever made. (I played hooky from work to see the Antonio Banderas version when it came out.) I haven't seen this old TV version for many years, but I saw the Tyrone Power version recently and was reminded of this one since the dialog is essentially identical (and charming.) What lovely memories. It may not be the most lavish version but the terrific acting and fabulous script make it well worth a look. I hope I get a chance to see it again.

I saw this film on TV recently. The Daily Mail had listed it as one to miss, but I'm glad I taped it. I had previously seen the new version with Anthony Hopkins, and this one compares quite favourably with it. Gilbert Roland is fantastic playing both the role of Don Diego, where he puts on an air of bored arrogance. This contrasts brilliantly with his role of Zorro when he dresses up with the mask. The action is more than first rate: it is sublime. It doesn't rely on special effects, but on acting and style. Probably the best TV movie I have ever seen...

Much as I hate to sound sacrilegious about the 1940s version, I have to honestly say Langella surpassed Tyrone Power. How Langella did it is with his voice. As another previous poster described it, Langella with that chocolatey voice. In the same way we gents enjoy Peggy Lee's sultry voice on her song, "Fever," so does Langella's voice project the perfect air of foppishness. Note Langella's use of the aristocratic handheld monocle that he uses when he gazes at Captain Esteban. In the hands of another actor it would look artificial. But combined with Langella's lazy-eyed look, it looks so natural.