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

Robert Rodriguez was originally attached to direct, but the studio didn't agree with his much-more violent and R-rated proposal.

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Goofs

When Zorro is cheered by crowds near the beginning of the film, the shots of him were taken at sunset, but the shots of the crowd were taken closer to midday.

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Quotes

Don Diego de la Vega: Do you know how to use that thing?
Alejandro Murrieta: Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man.
Don Diego de la Vega: [sighs] This is going to take a lot of work.

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Connections

Featured in Heroes: The Mystique, the Movies, the Men (1998)

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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

Entertaining

At the conclusion of The Mask of Zorro I heard something I haven't heard in a cinema for a long, long time – an outbreak of spontaneous applause. It happened because the audience felt so good at the conclusion of the film that they wanted to show their appreciation, to share with others the goodwill which this little slice of magic had brought into their lives. To a jaded movie-goer like myself, it was music to the ears.

This is a simple film, telling a simple story about justice conquering oppression and the power of all that is good in the world to put all that is evil to the sword. Anchored by three great performances from Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas and the luscious Catherine Zeta-Jones, it's a never-ending parade of derring-do which brings to mind the likes of The Crimson Pirate, the kind of film your parents tell you they just don't make anymore. It's played for laughs all the way down the line, but it's not a farce – the humour is gentle, the characters inhabiting a world which we know never existed but which damn well should have, a world where swordfights and horse chases and romantic love are the order of the day. I watched this film in an enraptured stupor, and for a short time I was twelve years old again, thrilling to the larger than life exploits of pirates, musketeers and the sons of Hercules.

Okay, so it isn't going to win any awards for depth of character, and you aren't going to be discussing the finer details of the plot over a bowl of gazpacho when it's over. But in an age when meanspirited movies seem to be becoming more and more common, it's a pure delight to come across something so untainted.

It's the sound of two hands clapping, folks. Miss it at your peril.