The Mask of Zorro (1998)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Martin Campbell

Writers (WGA):

Johnston McCulley (character Zorro)
Ted Elliott (story) ...

Release Date:

17 July 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | Western

Plot:

The elder Zorro comes out of retirement to train a new Zorro to fight the enemy Montero.

Plot Keywords:

Robbery | Caged Human | Passion | No Opening Credits | Corruption

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

José María de Tavira	...	Young Alejandro Murrieta (as Jose Maria de Tavira)
Diego Sieres	...	Young Joaquín Murrieta
Emiliano Guerra	...	Boy Crying
Yolanda Orisaga	...	Woman Crying
Paco Morayta	...	Undertaker
William Marquez	...	Fray Felipe
Stuart Wilson	...	Don Rafael Montero
Tony Amendola	...	Don Luiz
Anthony Hopkins	...	Don Diego de la Vega / Zorro
Pedro Altamirano	...	Squad Leader
Luisa Huertas	...	Nanny
María Fernández Cruz	...	Baby Elena de la Vega (as Maria Fernandez Cruz)
Mónica Fernández Cruz	...	Baby Elena de la Vega (as Monica Fernandez Cruz)
Julieta Rosen	...	Esperanza de la Vega
Raúl Martínez	...	Heavyset Lieutenant (as Raul Martinez)

Also Known As:

Mark of Zorro (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense action and violence.

Runtime:

136 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Brazil:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:TE | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba)

Filming Locations:

Atotonilico de Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

On the DVD commentary director Martin Campbell says that the acrobatic sword-fighting in the film was inspired by the work done by Gene Kelly, who used his talents as a dancer to play the role of D'Artagnan in the 1948 version of The Three Musketeers (1948).

Goofs:

Continuity: After Zorro undresses Elena with his sword, she covers her breasts with his hat. When he snatches his hat away from her, the hand in the close up is not wearing a glove, even though Zorro was wearing gloves throughout the entire sequence.

Quotes:

Captain Harrison Love: The lady and I were trying to dance.
Alejandro Murrieta: You were trying. She was succeeding.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (1999) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You

First-rate Entertainment

THE MASK OF ZORRO ****1/2 Stunning, visually rich, and highly acclaimed motion picture that retells the story of the Masked Swordsman (Anthony Hopkins) serving the people of California by saving them from the devious plans and conspiracies the Spanish empire and trained forces carry out. Hopkins trains a new Zorro (properly portrayed by Antonio Benderas) to take his place and save California from a tasteless fate. What subsequently takes place is nothing short of first-rate entertainment. The film has delightful humour and well choreographed sword-on-sword sequences. The musical score by James Horner provides additional supportive elements to capture all of the film's diverse moments. Excellent direction by Martin Campbell. A must-see.