Home
search
more | tips
SHOP MARK OF...
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.fr
IMDb > The Mark of Zorro (1940)
The Mark of Zorro
[Add to My Movies]
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

advertisement
Register or login to rate this title
User Rating: 7.7/10 (2,310 votes)
Photos (see all 14 | slideshow)

Overview

Director:
Rouben Mamoulian
Writers:
John Taintor Foote (screenplay)
Garrett Fort (adaptation) ...
more
Release Date:
8 November 1940 (USA) more
Tagline:
Ride With Zorro . . . The Dashing Don Of California's Most Adventurous Era ! more
Plot:
A young aristocrat must masquerade as a fop in order to maintain his secret identity of Zorro as he restores justice to early California. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
Delightful piece of swashbuckling fun more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Californian (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
94 min | Portugal:90 min (censored version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Spanish
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/New Brunswick/Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island/Quebec) | USA:Approved (certificate #6597) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U
MOVIEmeter: ?
^ 3% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During filming, 'Tyrone Power (I)' was in the habit of taking an early morning swim in a pool that he insisted on being carefully pre-heated. Darryl F. Zanuck played a prank on him by arranging for the heating to be turned off. Power dived in and got such a shock that he later claimed he nearly had a heart attack. He got his revenge. Zanuck watched the dailies every day with a critical eye and one evening saw something unexpected; the cast and crew collaborated to film a spoof version of the hold-up scene where Zorro robs a coach carrying the Governor and his wife. When Zorro is supposed to slash his Z into the vehicle's upholstery, the camera reveals he has slashed "DZ". "Oh my God, it's Zanuck" his victims gasp. Power responds: "That's right, you bastards..." and describes the producer in very unflattering language. more
Quotes:
Captain Esteban Pasquale: His Excellency will never forgive me if I let you go without a welcome from him. I'm quite sure you'll save me a reprimand.
Don Diego Vega: How could I refuse a man with a naked sword?
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 20th Century-Fox: The First 50 Years (1997) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
Delightful piece of swashbuckling fun, 12 February 2007
9/10
Author: Camera Obscura from Leiden, The Dutch Mountains

Great action and at the same time one of the most hilarious roles ever to come out of Hollywood. Tyrone Power is great in the title role, not only when in full swashbuckling action as Zorro, but also as the effeminate dandy Don Diego Vega, fanning his handkerchief, sneezing, and performing ridiculous magic tricks upon stupid prison wardens, when not courting the beautiful Alcalde's daughter Inez Quintero. You gotta love Zorro, the good old-fashioned hero of LA county, always prepared to fight for justice, fight poverty and save damsels in distress, occasionally engraving the mark "Z", preferably on men's chest or cloth.

There's enough innuendo and snappy dialog in here to keep adult audiences entertained as well as enough action for younger audiences to cherish this film (and even enough romance with dashing Power to keep the ladies satisfied). Basil Rathbone, as Captain Esteban Pasquale, makes a superb villain, always prepared to draw his sword, either for serious business or sadistic amusement. "Most men have objects they play with. Churchmen have their beads; I toy with a sword."

Wit Tyrone Power's undisputed comedic talent, he adds so much wit into his character (and to the already hilarious lines), the film is a real hoot. It's a shame Power embarked on more serious roles later in his career. With most of the lines ranging from the outright hilarious to marvelously corny, like Don Diego Vega's courting of the young lady Inez: "You're more lovely, more radiant than a morning in June," it's hard to take it all very serious, but when the fencing starts, playtime is over. Basil Rathbone, one of Hollywood's most skilled swordsmen, knows how to handle a sword like no-one else and Tyrone Power was quick to learn. The climactic swashbuckling scene between the two arch enemies in the small confined room of the Alcalde (brilliantly choreographed) is - till this very day - the best sword fight ever put on film, even surpassing the final fight between Rathbone and Errol Flynn, two years before in THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938).

Camera Obscura --- 9/10

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Complaint and question(s) jason031572
If you like Tyrone Power... TyronePoweristhebest
Did Zorro wear a cape in this film? gothamite27
Special edition DVD coming out October 18 shadow-otr
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Mask of Zorro The Mark of Zorro Don Ricardo Returns Ghost of Zorro The Forbidden Kingdom
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Action section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.