DeniDVD Vault: What's your favorite Zorro Movie?
May 27th 2010 06:04
The Steven Spielberg production, "The Mask Of Zorro", starring Antonio Banderas, won hands down, of course, because of its up to date and stylish sword play, choreography and stunning cinematography, and Banderas gave a charming and humorous performance - and I agree. It was a good film but for some reason I still found it a bit lacking.
However my favorite version is "Zorro", an obscure Italian production made in 1975 and stars famous French
Alain Delon as Zorro
Diego and Miguel
Later when Miguel goes for a walk with his mute servant, Joaquin (Enzo Cerusico), he is assassinated. Diego, is able to overcome the assassins and learn that they have been sent by Colonel La Huerta to kill Miguel so that he can take complete control over the army and government and establish a new order - which is revealed later. Just before Miguel dies, Diego promises to go undercover as governor in his stead and he also reluctantly agrees to refrain from shedding blood in his quest for revenge.
What comes next is a very tongue in cheek comedy with a great performance by Delon. What I love about this version
La Huerta sees this new weakling of a Governor as no threat
Stanley Baker as La Huerta
Olivia Piccolo as Hortensia
Now of course when viewing this version, one must keep in mind that this was made in 1975, so production quality and choreography will not be up to par - some of it's actually quite comical but there is an extra-ordinary 10 minute sword fight between Delon and Baker. I love this fight scene because it's a real sword fight - I mean of course it's choreographed but there is no fancy footwork, no flying around in daring gravity defying stunts, this is most likely how a real sword fight would play out. Both start off in peak form and as the battle rages on they are tired! And more important than trying to look impressive they are desperate to kill each other and be done with it.
Moustache as Sergent Garcia
This is not a great movie and it was disappointing that the romantic flirtation between Zorro and Hortensia didn't flourish but that's okay - it is entertaining and Alain Delon is probably the handsomest Zorro on film to date. I looked long and hard for this movie, especially after seeing the Spielberg production but I didn't have much luck. Finally, thanks to youtube and wikipedia and various other sites dedicated to the legend of Zorro, I was able to track it down. The US only sells the 90 minute version which is horribly edited down from 120 minutes and manages to cut out all the important plot details. If you're interested in this film, make sure you get the original for 120 minutes which you can find overseas. Thankfully, I have a good friend in Portugal who was able to order it for me.
Oh and let's not forget that this movie boasts a sound track that people either love or hate, all based on the infamous song by the legendary Italian musicians, Oliver Onions called "Zorro is Back!". Writer director Wes Anderson used this song for his movie "Bottle Rocket". It's something people never got used to but I love it.
So, there you have it, one of my guilty pleasures. I'm grateful that none of my friends are familiar with this version so that saved me a bunch of ridiculous.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I actually preferred the Alain Delon Zorro to the Banderas one too.Though Mr Griffith did a good job Anthony Hopkins destroys the film every time he is onscreen (worst accent since Costner's Robin Hood) and the film just lacked the adventurous excitement of the character.
For me the greatest Zorro is still the 1920's Mask of Zorro star Douglas Fairbanks.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I'm so glad that there is someone out there who has seen the Alain Delon version.
I'm beginning to understand what you mean about Anthony Hopkins. I think he plays the same character in every movie. It worked with Hannibal but it's getting boring.
The Fairbanks version is the only one I haven't seen. I'm trying to hunt down a copy.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I actually like Hopkins early 1970's and 80's film. For me he ruined Silence of the Lambs with his hammy acting conflicting with the pseudo-realism of everything else in the film...he was perfect in Ridley's OTT Hannibal though....Red Dragon was just a horrible remake all round....my fave of Hopkins more modern films is certainly Titus.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I saw Zorro: The Gay Blade ONCE and that was enough.
I've only become familiar with Hopkins work on Silence Of The Lambs and beyond. I just remember one of his earlier films where he was a ventriloquist. The title escapes me at the moment.
I thought his performance was deliciously freaky.
Titus sounds interesting. I'll have to check that one out.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film you are talking about is Magic. It ranks very highly for me in the Hopkins cannon, one those earlier 1970's films I was referring to.