Zorro, the Gay Blade (1981)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers:

Johnston McCulley (character)
Hal Dresner (story) ...

Release Date:

17 July 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Zexy, Zany, Zensational !

Plot:

Mexico, 1840s. When the new Spanish Governor begins to grind the peasants under his heel, wealthy landowner...

Plot Keywords:

Mask | Destiny | Homosexual | Spoof | Actor Playing Multiple Roles

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

George Hamilton	...	Don Diego Vega / Zorro / Bunny Wigglesworth / The Gay Blade / Ramon Vega
Lauren Hutton	...	Charlotte Taylor Wilson
Brenda Vaccaro	...	Florinda
Ron Leibman	...	Captain Esteban
Donovan Scott	...	Paco
James Booth	...	Velasquez
Helen Burns	...	Consuelo
Clive Revill	...	Garcia
Carolyn Seymour	...	Dolores
Eduardo Noriega	...	Don Francisco from San Jose
Jorge Russek	...	Don Fernando from San Diego
Eduardo Alcaraz	...	Don Jose from San Bernardino
Carlos Bravo y Fernández	...	Don Luis Obisbo from Bakersfield (as Carlos Bravo)
Roberto Dumont	...	Ferraro
Jorge Bolio	...	Pablito

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | USA:PG | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Mexico City, México D.F., Mexico

Company:

Melvin Simon Productions

Trivia:

When the producers of the film thought that the voice and Spanish accent of the famous Canadian Shakespearean actress Helen Burns was not quite right for that of Zorro's extremely ancient servant, Consuelo, the role was re-voiced by one of the oldest Spanish-speaking actresses in Hollywood, a 70-year-old Argentine woman, colleague of Rita Hayworth's father, the dancer Eduardo Cansino.

Goofs:

Continuity: A moment after Esteban smashes the bowl of green apples in Don Diego's bedroom, the bowl re-appears, undamaged.

Quotes:

Bunny Wigglesworth: Black is tacky.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)

Soundtrack:

Danzes Fantastica

Jon Monsarrat review: Hilarious comedy -- hasn't aged -- like "Austin Powers"

On the assumption that you are considering renting Zorro, I think ratings and reviews should reflect the current day, not nostalgia or memory. I've seen "Zorro: The Gay Blade recently" and was totally floored. It's flat-out hilarious and hasn't aged a day.

The film is a parody of Zorro and makes fun of some of the over-seriousness of that long ago age when Zorro was invented. But at the same time, like a good parody should ("Austin Powers") it has its own theme, its own compelling characters and plot. Nothing blows up, but swordfighting doesn't need a $100m budget to be fascinating. Nor does a parody. It's wacky but accessible to people who don't like "cult films". Don't expect a romance.

If you liked Austin Powers, definitely get this film.

Who should see this movie:

-- Everyone who's heard of Zorro and won't mind a little dose

(not a large dose) of wacky.

-- Arty film types who won't find any compelling film drama here,

but you owe it to yourself to explore the Zorro mystique.

I'll give "Zorro, the Gay Blade" a surprisingly timeless 9 out of 10.