Zorro is one of the most beloved characters by the public and has been represented in several TV series and films. Discover the 5 best!
Dressed in a black cloak and clothes, he wears a mask covering his eyes and a dark hat, Zorro He has become one of the best known and most charismatic characters of the last few centuries, and it is not surprising that he has been the protagonist of numerous films, series and comics.
Created in 1919 by American Johnston McCulley, he is a vigilante who fights to defend the poor and oppressed and, to do so, uses his talent with the sword to mark a Z in the face of anyone who challenges him.
Its first film adaptation occurred in 1920, in the silent film The mark of Zorro. At the time the person who took on the role of the masked man was Douglas Fairbanks, an American actor. But even though he was created and played by Americans, it was his reputation as a Hispanic-Latino hero that made the character stand out.
In 1998 it was the turn of the Spaniard Antonio Banderas to take on the role of the protagonist The Mask of Zorro, one of the best-known films today and which helped highlight the character. In 2024, the person who took over this role was Miguel Bernardeau (already appeared in Elite AND 1899) in the Prime Video series.
The truth is that whether it is series, films or comics, Zorro will always have a place in the hearts of the public.
5- The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Since we are talking about Antonio Banderas, there is nothing better than starting this list with the first film in which he played the character. Directed by Martin Campbell, the film told the story of Don Diego, a man who spends more than 20 years in prison after his wife was killed and his daughter was taken by enemies. Promising revenge, he manages to escape and transforms the thief Alejandro Murrieta into his student, teaching him all the tactics he knows so that the boy becomes a new Zorro and can avenge his enemies.
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the film became a public phenomenon, grossing more than $200 million at the box office and being nominated for Oscar in the Best Sound and Best Sound Effects categories.
Anyone who wants to see the film can rent or buy it on YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV+ e Google Play.
4- The Legend of Zorro (2005)
Since the first Zorro film with Antonio Banderas was very successful, the director and the production team decided to make a sequel and released, in 2005, The legend of Zorro.
The plot is set at the end of the 19th century, when California strives to become the 31st state of the United States. It turns out that at the same time squatters threaten local residents and take over their lands. Realizing this injustice, Don Alejandro de La Vega once again takes on the cloak of Zorro to change this situation.
With Catherine Zeta-Jones back in the cast, the film didn’t please critics as much as the first, but it’s still a good option for those who want to know more about the masked hero. The film is available on Google Play, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
3-Zorro (1957)
Films aside, how about talking about one of the most important series of the masked hero? Produced by Disney in 1957, the series Zorro brought Guy Williams into the lead role of Diego de La Vega, a boy with a keen sense of justice who returns from Spain to Los Angeles after receiving a letter from his father detailing all the injustices that were happening there.
Upon arriving in the city, he and his mute servant, Bernardo, join the Commander’s Monastery and his army of spearmen to defeat the evildoers. However, the situation worsens when Diego gathers some clues that lead him to a secret society that plans to destroy Los Angeles.
With two seasons and 78 episodes, the series became one of the main works of the hero and served as the basis for other future adaptations. It is currently available on Disney+.
2- The new Zorro (1990)
With a plot similar to the Disney series, The new Zorro OR New World Zorroas it became known, is a series starring Duncan Regehr that was filmed entirely in Spain and broadcast on the channel that is now known as Freeform.
The production ran for three seasons and featured actor Henry Darrow in the role of Don Alejandro de La Vega, the masked man’s father. The most curious thing is that with this series the actor made his third appearance in works about Zorro. He had previously participated Zorro and son (Zorro and his son) e The New Adventures of Zorro.
Unfortunately the series is not available for streaming, but you can find it online.
1-Zorro (2024)
We finally arrive at the most recent series of Zorro; which was produced by Prime Video and premiered on streaming on January 19th. Despite having a plot very similar to that of 1957, the text differs by trying to update the story of the masked man, giving more space to female protagonism.
In the plot, Diego de La Vega competes for the mask of Zorro with Nah-Lin (Dalia Xiuhcoatl), an indigenous woman who believes she deserves more to wear the hero’s shoes because she was born and raised in those lands, California.
With 10 episodes in total, the plot also gives room for women to appear as antagonists. Anyone who wants to see it, just search for it on Prime Video.
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
