The Mask of Zorro (1998)

A young thief, seeking revenge over the death of his brother, is trained by the once great, but aged Zorro, who is also seeking a vengeance of his own.

Director:

Martin Campbell

Writers:

Johnston McCulley (character Zorro), Ted Elliott (story),

Stars:

Antonio Banderas, José María de Tavira, Anthony Hopkins

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Banderas	...	Alejandro Murrieta / Zorro
José María de Tavira	...	Young Alejandro Murrieta (as Jose Maria de Tavira)
Anthony Hopkins	...	Don Diego de la Vega / Zorro
Diego Sieres	...	Young Joaquín Murrieta
Emiliano Guerra	...	Boy Crying
Yolanda Orisaga	...	Woman Crying (as Yolanda Orizaga)
Paco Morayta	...	Undertaker
William Marquez	...	Fray Felipe
Stuart Wilson	...	Don Rafael Montero
Tony Amendola	...	Don Luiz
Pedro Altamirano	...	Squad Leader
Luisa Huertas	...	Nanny
María Fernández Cruz	...	Baby Elena de la Vega (as Maria Fernandez Cruz)
Mónica Fernández Cruz	...	Baby Elena de la Vega (as Monica Fernandez Cruz)
Julieta Rosen	...	Esperanza de la Vega

Storyline

The original Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega, is captured and imprisoned just as Spain concedes California to Santa Anna. 20 years go by and his mortal enemy, Don Rafael Montero, returns to California with a plan to become wealthy at the expense of the peasants. The original Zorro escapes from prison and trains a new Zorro to take his place. Much swashbuckling and derring-do ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

zorro | california | revenge | swordsman | mask | 

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Taglines:

No one has seen his face....but everyone....knows this mark.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense action and violence

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mark of Zorro

Filming Locations:

Atotonilico de Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£889,829 (UK) (11 December 1998)

Gross:

£6,453,319 (UK) (5 February 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, David Foster Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (CFI)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Izabella Scorupco was offered the lead female role but turned it down.

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Goofs

Elena has a nylon zipper on her dress in the last scene. Zippers were not used in the 1840's and nylon was not used for this purpose until after WWII.

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Quotes

Don Diego de la Vega: [after beating Alejandro in a training session] Lesson number one: never attack in anger. Lesson number two...
[smells Alejandro, who is very dirty]
Don Diego de la Vega: Come with me.
Alejandro Murrieta: [Don Diego de la Vega leaves; Alejandro sniffs his own underarm] What?
[later, as he washes in a pool]
Alejandro Murrieta: So what is lesson number three?
Don Diego de la Vega: To get to lesson number four.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

"I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You"
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Produced by Jim Steinman
Performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena
Tina Arena appears courtesy of Sony Music (Australia)

User Reviews

Fun, Old-Fashioned Adventure

This movie had just a couple of things I would have changed but the overwhelming minutes of this 137-minute movie were well done: a nice old- fashioned adventure story.

Yes, it's hokey in spots, there is a needless irreverent scene in the confessional and the final action scene goes on too long, but all of that is almost standard fare in today's films. Anyway, the "good" in this film far outweighs the "bad."

Some of the "good" is beautiful cinematography featuring bold colors; good action scenes; very little profanity; interesting and somewhat likable lead characters (played by Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Bandaras and Catherine Zeta- Jones), a fun story and very good 5.1surround sound.

Zeta-Jones was a brand new "face" with this movie and she's never looked better. Hopkins, as usual, is the best character as the older "Zorro" who teaches the young one (Bandaras). Some of the action scenes are almost cartoon-like in credibility (Bandaras doing flips while riding two horses at once!) but they are fun.

The story is a familiar one that seems to always satisfy people: revenge.