The Mark of Zorro (1920): A Guest Movie Review

The Mark of Zorro (1920)

Directed by Fred Niblo
Starring Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte, Noah Beery
Produced by Douglas Fairbanks Pictures

California’s natives are being oppressed.  The Spanish Governor and the armies are merciless with the poor and some of the more well-off families are starting to feel the pinch.  Of course, oppression also serves to create a champion for the people, and California’s champion is the masked swordsman Zorro.

Members of the army sit in taverns discussing the mysterious “Z” carved onto the cheek of one of their comrades.  Sergeant Gonzalez brags about how he will take down the mysterious masked man.  Into this scene walks Senor Diego Vega, the son of a rich and respected family in Californian society.  Vega is a weakling who cannot stomach the idea of violence and Gonzalez continues his rant against Zorro.  Diaz leaves, but soon the masked man appears.

The army men draw swords, but Zorro draws a gun and herds them all behind the bar.  He challenges Gonzalez to a duel.  The ensuing battle finds Zorro playing the part of cat to Gonzalez’ helpless mouse.  Zorro is vaulting over tables and onto mantles, mocking his opponent the entire time.  After having his bit of fun, the mysterious swashbuckler makes his escape.

Zorro’s antics do not sit well with Captain Ramon.  Ramon is a skilled fighter and is pursuing the hand of Lolita Pulido, part of  a rich family whose fortune is threatened by the Governor.  The Pulidos would rather see their daughter marry Vega in order to secure the family fortune.  Lolita, of course, has an encounter with Zorro and now she only has eyes for the bandit.

Can Zorro unite the caballeros against the Governor and his men?  Who will win the hand of Lolita?  And just who is the mysterious Zorro?

This.  Was.  Awesome.

This is my favorite version of Zorro (though I have not seen the 1940 version yet).  Fairbanks is amazing in the title role.  Leaping over obstacles, climbing walls, using every object at his disposal to elude and torment his would-be captors.  The guy is Bruce Wayne.  He has the playboy secret identity. He has the mask.  He even has his own version of the Batcave.  No wonder a viewing of The Mark of Zorro played prominently into Batman‘s origin.  It’s all here.

Zorro proves to be a comedic hero as well.  He’s not content to simply escape the army; they have to look like fools in the process.  When he leaves the tavern at the beginning, the army leaves to pursue him. So he reenters the tavern through a window and waits for them there.  When he’s being chased later, one of his pursuers gets stuck on a fence.  Zorro doubles back to free the man, but the soldier never turns to see who freed him and continues on his merry way.

Movie poster for “The Mark of Zorro”

I liked Fairbanks’ turn as Vega as well.  He is constantly playing with his hat and thinks he can win the hand of the girl through magic tricks.  Very funny stuff.

It’s not a perfect film.  There are moments that drag.  Zorro must give a rousing speech at the end that kills a lot of the momentum the film had.  The ending is very contrived with the army announcing they are now inexplicably with Zorro.  Still, The Mark of Zorro is a great, fun movie for all ages.  The first real swashbuckler!

****1/2 out of *****

(Note: Be sure to check out these other Zorro films to meet all of your swashbuckling needs)

Patrick McDonnell is a film enthusiast who discovered older films growing up in Philadelphia.  Now, to fill in the gaping holes in his cinematic knowledge, Patrick is working his way through 100 Years of Movies, one year at a time.