The Mark of Zorro

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

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