The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian
Genres - Action, Adventure, Romance, Drama |
Sub-Genres - Costume Adventure, Romantic Adventure, Swashbuckler |
Release Date - Nov 8, 1940 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 93 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Tana Hobart
This is perhaps the best of the many Zorro films as Tyrone Power gives an outstanding performance as the alternately swishing and swashbuckling son of a 19th century California aristocrat. As a champion of the oppressed, Zorro must face a wicked governor portrayed by J. Edward Bromberg, who, of course, has a beautiful niece whom our hero loves. Basil Rathbone is a delightfully evil assistant to the governor. Based on Johnston McCulley's novel The Curse of Capistrano, The Mark of Zorro was a remake of the 1920 silent film and by far superior to all the Zorro incarnations. Interspersed with humor and one-liners but still keeping up with the highest of swashbuckling traditions, it is an action-packed story of one man standing against a corrupt, oppressive government on behalf of those less able to bear their burdens.
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Keywords
against-the-system, aristocracy, damsel-in-distress, deception, double-life, duel, folk-hero, mask [disguise], rescue, romance, swordfight, villain