THE MARK OF ZORRO

US, 1940, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone, Gale Sondegaard, Eugene Pallette.
Directed by Rouben Mamoulian.

The Mark of Zorro has become a classic swashbuckling film. Originally made in 1920, this remake capitalised on the athletic prowess of Tyrone Power (who was to make Blood and Sand for director Reuben Mamoulian). Power was later to be in such action films as Captain from Castille, Prince of Foxes, The Black Rose. However, he is not as good as Errol Flynn in similar roles, even with the same villain, Basil Rathbone. Linda Darnell is an attractive heroine. Photographed in black and white, with a rousing score by Alfred Newman, the film is straight forward action adventure with slight tongue in cheek.

The film was remade for television with Guy Madison, and later with Frank Langella. An exciting '70s version featured Alain Delon and Stanley Baker, with an excellent swordfight at the end. The story was spoofed by George Hamilton in Zorro, the Gay Blade (Zorro Swings Again, 1981). Reuben Mamoulian directed such classics as Applause, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Becky Sharp. He made fewer films in his later years, his last being Silk Stockings. He began Cleopatra.

1. The acclaim and status of the film? As an example of the swashbuckling genre? Its influence on later films? Comparisons with the Errol Flynn features of the same time. Entertaining adventure?

2. Twentieth Century Fox production values and stars? Comparisons with Warner Bros? The popular story as part of the folklore of California? Comic strip hero but with verve? Black and white photography, the rousing score?

3. The historical background of Spain and California? The court of Spain, the training of the Californians in military careers? Diego and the army, his skills, place at court, his having to return? The background for his becoming Zorro?

4. His thinking that California was at peace? The discovery of the oppression? The initial hostility towards him? The Governor and the resignation of his father? The oppression of the people and their suffering? Social awareness?

5. The Governor and his foolishness, love for money, fear? His wife and her enjoyment of position, wealth, fashion? Liaison with Estaban? Her wanting to return to Spain? Her vanity and greed? Her riding with Diego? The final confrontation with the Governor and his wife and their returning to Spain? The sly satire on this kind of administration and its oppression?

6. Basil Rathbone once again as villain? His portrayal of Estaban and his cruelty? Duelling background in Spain? His administration of California? Suspicions of Diego? His arranging the marriage with Lolita? The final confrontation and swordfight? The soldiers and their oppression?

7. Tyrone Power as romantic hero? Diego the hero, his pretending to be a fop, his indolent style, magic tricks? People believing that he was a weakling? His enjoyment of this performance? The transition to Zorro - the mask and the black clothes, his taking the money from the Governor, the escapes from confrontation, meeting Lolita in the chapel and proposing to her, the final confrontation with the Governor and fighting Estaban? Diego and his parents thinking he was weak? The confrontation with the Friar and the revelation of the truth? Lolita and her despising him. her enjoying the dance but reacting to his tiredness? Her delight in discovering the truth? The final imprisonment and heroics?

8. Lolita as conventional heroine. her youth and beauty, seclusion, fear of going to the convent? The encounter in the chapel and her romantic love for Zorro? The betrothal, the dance, her despising Diego? Her delight in the truth?

9. The friar and his helping the people, his anger, arrest? His vigour in the final battle ? asking God's forgiveness!

10. Diego's parents? His father and his administration? His leading California to prosperity once again?

11. The background of the social setting and the points made? The background for heroism and romance? The perennial appeal of swashbuckling epics?