TriStar Pictures in association with Zorro Productions and Amblin Entertainment Antonio Banderas Anthony Hopkins "THE MASK OF ZORRO" Catherine Zeta Jones Stuart Wilson Matthew Letscher Co-Producer: John Gertz Cinematography by Phil Meheux Edited by Thom Noble Music by James Horner Production Designer: Cecilia Montiel Costume Designer: Graciela Mazsn Associate Producer: Tava R. Maloy Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Produced by Doug Claybourne & David Foster Original Story by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio & Randall Jahnson Screenplay by: John Eskow, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio Directed by Martin Campbell 136 minutes Rated PG-13
Since 1920 with the release of Douglas Fairbank's classic adventure, the character of Zorro has been one of the most portrayed characters in film history. Most people are only familiar with the famed Mexican hero through the Walt Disney series of 1957 which stared future 'Lost in Space" dad.. Guy Williams. The character of Zorro has been portrayed by a wide range of actors and all of them have been serviceable at the least (with the exception of George Hamilton in the disappointing 'Zorro, the Gay Blade'). Antonio Banderas is the latest actor to don the black mask and cape, and the results are enthralling.
The story begins with Zorro rescuing a group of peasants from public execution. Now this entire is simply a trap set to capture Zorro. But Zorro is saved, himself by the intervention of two young brothers. Zorro thanks the boys by giving the oldest a medallion. Zorro returns home and his true identity of Don Diego de la Vega. Greeting his wife, he goes to his newborn daughter, Elena and continues to tell her the legend of the famed Zorro. It is then that the corrupt Don Rafael Montero invades Don Diego's home. Now knowing the true identity of his enemy, Don Rafael fights with Don Diego and in the course of battle, Esperenza de la Vega (Don Diego's wife) is killed. Don Diego is arrested and taken to prison. Don Rafael, who was also in love Esperenza de la Vega takes the child and vows to raise the girl as his own daughter.
20 years pass. And Mexico has been under oppressive Spanish rule. Three bandits are ambushed by the local police, Alejandro Murrieta (Banderas), Joaquin Murrieta (Victor Rivers) and American expatriate Three Fingered Jack (L.Q. Jones). Joaquin is murdered by American Captain Harrison Love (Matthew Letscher) during an escape attempt. Alejandro returns to accept his fate, but not before retrieving the medallion Joaquin has around his neck, the gift from Zorro.
Montero returns from Spain with his daughter (?), Elena. Don Diego has escaped from prison and only stops murdering Montero upon seeing his now grown child. Alejandro has also managed to escape his captors, and the two men form a bond. After some deliberation Don Diego accepts Alejandro as his pupil and tells him the truth about the legend of Zorro. After much arduous training, Alejandro takes the cape and the mask and a new Zorro returns to save the people of Mexico.
Directed with a marvelous eye for style and simplicity, Martin Campbell ('Goldeneye') pays glorious tribute to the memories of Michael Curtiz and Douglas Fairbanks. There is nothing in this film that stands out over itself, drawing attention away from the story and it's characters. For once we can no longer, honestly say, "They don't make movies like that anymore", because with this film, they do.. and they do it triumphantly. The film takes it's time setting up it's plot of stolen riches, familial debts and blood oaths. Mr. Campbell deserves full credit for delivering a masterfully composed film. Scribes John Eskow, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio have fashioned a grand tribute to the classic films of the thirties and forties. With rich and strong character development and expert plotting, 'The Mask of Zorro' should be a reminder to everyone that a film does not need millions of dollars of special effects and pyrotechnics to enthrall them. Good story telling remains, good story telling.
The performances in the film are exemplary. Anthony Hopkins is heroic as Don Diego do la Vega. Here is a man who is true to his family and his country and is willing to risk his life for both. His passion for revenge becomes tempered by the moral conflict of his daughter Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) not knowing him as family. The heartbreak in Hopkins' eyes as he confronts his Daughter with the truth, is honest. Mr. Hopkins deserves the title (unashamedly) of greatest living actor today. Antonio Banderas shows a growing charm and ability that was only hinted at in "Desperado". His fine turn turn as the reborn Zorro is so enlivening and glorious that you'll only envision him as Zorro from now on, the same way as only Christopher Reeve is Superman and Michael Keaton is Batman. Banderas owns this character.
The real discovery in the film is Catherine Zeta-Jones, previously only noted for her turn as a paid assassin in the disappointing "The Phantom". Ms. Jones turns in a marvelously mischievous and seductive performance as Elena. Her charm and poise throughout the film is refreshing and gives the entire picture a fresh jolt every time she is on screen.
Everything about "The Mask of Zorro" cries out in it's goal of pure entertainment. There is nothing dumbed down for the audience. This is the truest adventure we've seen since "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Kudos to all involved. No faint praise in saying that this film will (and should) become a classic piece of filmaking.
Copyright 1998 R. L. Strong Nothing in this article may be reprinted or duplicated, either in part or in whole without the express written permission of the author.
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