THE MASK OF ZORRO


US, 1998, 136 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Catharine’s Zeta- Jones, Stuart Wilson.
Directed by Martin Campbell.

We have been waiting a long time to see The Mask of Zorro. The story has been told on film often but this is a spectacular version, full of action.

Antonio Banderas is an obvious choice for the lead with his Hispanic panache. Anthony Hopkins has some derring-do at the beginning (or at least his double does) and then turns into the sage guide and tutor.

This is a variation on the Robin Hood legend, the hero who attacks the rich and powerful on behalf of the poor. While it is set in the old days of California, the basic plot is still very relevant. Plenty of swash and buckle.

1. The popularity of Zorro films – from the 1920s into the 21st century? The variation on the Robin Hood story?

2. Historical background, Mexico and California, the secession of California, the power of the Mexican and Spanish aristocracy, property, position, arrogance? Raphael illustrating this?

3. The photography, the sweep of California, the countryside, the mansions, the towns, the goldmine? The desert? The rousing score?

4. The situation, Raphael and his power, the soldiers, the populace, rebellion against him? The two boys, waiting for Zorro, His being disguised as a friar? Going into action? The fights, the stunts, swords?

5. Don Diego, as Zorro, his cause, with the people? His escape to his home? The stories for his daughter, the flower on her bed? His love for his wife? Raphael’s intrusion, trying to arrest Diego, his wife being shot and saving him? Raphael and his jealousy, of Diego’s wife, taking the baby, raising it has his own? Hitting Diego, imprisoning him?

6. 20 years in prison, the squalor and the stench, the visit of Raphael, the prison guard and his kowtowing? Prisoners claiming to be Zorro? Raphael recognising him? Diego, hitting the soldier, getting the keys, his escape?

7. The two Murietta brothers, their colleague, the spiel for the people, the arrival of the soldiers, the commander, the pursuit of the brothers, the older shooting himself, the other escaping?

8. The reappearance of Zorro, for the people, Aleyandro and his encounter, the past, vengeance, Diego keeping control, deciding to train Aleyandro, gratitude for his saving him in the past? The sequences of training?

9. The return of Raphael, Elena as his daughter, and not knowing about her father, smelling flower and its being familiar? Her later being told about her childhood? Her attitude towards her father? Love, but wariness?

10. Aleyandro and the friar, his escape from the military, going into the confessional, Elena coming for confession, the comic repartee, her sincerity, his paying attention, his escape?

11. The gold mines, the vast amount gold? The military, the peasants and their working, being put in cages, Raphael’s intention to kill them all, the fuses for the explosions?

12. Diego, his appearance, Aleyandro? The confrontations, the elaborate fights, over the structure of the mines? Diego and the confrontation with Raphael, being wounded, dying with Aleyandro and his daughter together? Aleyandro, the fights, with the military chief, the duel? The gruesome endings, the military man falling to his death? Raphael being dragged along by the car?

13. Elena and her opening against all the cages for the peasants to escape?

14. The spirit of Hollywood swashbuckling films, on the large-scale, the good cast, action and effects? And the triumph of good over evil?