The Mask of Zorro
The Mask of Zorro

The Mask of Zorro

1998Movie136 minEnglish

It has been twenty years since Don Diego de la Vega fought Spanish oppression in Alta California as the legendary romantic hero, Zorro. Having escaped from prison he transforms troubled bandit Alejandro into his successor, in order to foil the plans of the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero who robbed him of his freedom, his wife and his precious daughter.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users86%
Director: Martin CampbellGenres: Action, Adventure, Romance

Plot Summary

In early 19th-century Spain, the legendary Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega, is imprisoned for twenty years. Upon his escape, he finds his nemesis, Don Rafael Montero, in power and has kidnapped his infant daughter, Elena. Diego enlists the help of a roguish bandit, Alejandro Murrieta, to train him and take on the mantle of Zorro to defeat Montero, rescue Elena, and bring justice back to the people of California.

Critical Reception

The Mask of Zorro was a critical and commercial success. Reviewers praised its swashbuckling action, charismatic performances, romantic chemistry, and faithfulness to the spirit of the original Zorro legends. Audiences enjoyed the thrilling adventure and the blend of classic heroics with a fresh, modern sensibility.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thrilling action sequences and strong performances, particularly from Banderas and Zeta-Jones.
  • Applauded for its charismatic lead actors and their undeniable chemistry.
  • Lauded as a fun, exciting, and well-crafted modern take on a classic hero.

Google audience: Audiences largely enjoyed the film's exciting sword fights, romantic storyline, and the charismatic performances of the lead actors, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Many found it to be a highly entertaining adventure that successfully revitalized the Zorro mythos.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound, and won multiple Saturn Awards including Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film and Best Costume Design.

Fun Fact

Catherine Zeta-Jones's training for the role included learning to fence and ride a horse, and she famously performed many of her own stunts, showcasing her dedication to the action sequences.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
JPV852

JPV852

Solid swash-buckling action-adventure cast perfectly with Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and finely directed by the great Martin Campbell. I don't remember much about its sequel, The Legend of Zorro, but kind of ...
John Chard

John Chard

High definition a necessity for this delightful homage to swashbucklers. Zorro senior tutors Zorro junior in the way of the blade, their combined goal? To enact revenge on Don Rafael Montero and Capt. Harrison Love respectively. Marti...