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Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson, Matt Letscher ... see more see more... , Maury Chaykin , Tony Amendola , Pedro Armendariz Jr. , L.Q. Jones , Jose Perez , William Marquez , Victor Rivers , Julieta Rosen , Matthew Letscher

Director Martin Campbell, well-known to the action arena after 1995's GoldenEye, teams up with executive producer Steven Spielberg to bring the first Hollywood production of creator Johnston McCulley'... read more read more...s Zorro in over four decades to the big screen. With scenic 18th century Mexico as a backdrop, Anthony Hopkins plays the original Zorro, a.k.a. Don Diego de la Vega, intent on revenge after rival enemy Don Raphael Montero (Stuart Wilson) murdered his wife and took his daughter, Elena. After being imprisoned for 20 years, the fabled hero removes his mask and takes on a tarnished young apprentice, Alejandro Murieta (Antonio Banderas), to infiltrate Montero's plan to take control of California from Santa Anna. A boisterous outlaw with his own desire for revenge, Murieta works with Diego to avenge his brother's death by the sword of Montero's right-hand man, Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher, in his big screen debut). After Diego's extensive training in swordfighting, discipline and manners, a new Zorro appears wreaking vengeance and stealing the heart of a now-grown Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones). A sizable summer hit, the film served as Zeta-Jones' stepping stone to leading lady status as the high-spirited heroine. ~ Rachel Koetje, Rovi

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70% liked it

349,269 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

68 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 16 min.

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Release Date: July 17, 1998

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DVD Release Date: December 1, 1998

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Stats: 11,572 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (11,572)

  • EightThirty
    January 23, 2012
    EightThirty
    08/01/2011 (TELEVISION)

    Some light fun! Initially this was in my "Not Interested" list and it happened to be the afternoon flick on TV which I couldn't be bothered to change since I don't have a remote. I allowed myself to somehow find some kindling in this story to tak... read moree my mind of the stressing that was eating me that day and I'm so glad I did. I manage to enjoy the film and feel a little better.

    It's a fun plot, the type which I don't mind seeing in different forms. It's well balanced according to my liking and I can watch this again. Cool characters and a cool story. I've probably seen this story many times like this but this really did a nice job with it and with a decent cast. I really liked the humor that's timed nicely through out the adventure with a crazy-cool romance thing happening as secrets are being spilled.

    It's 1998 so I do appreciate the action for it's time and I thought the fighting sequences was pretty good. It did a good job of distracting me from what was bothering me so it's a winner for me! A great decision if you got spare time to waste or a nice choice for indecisiveness.
  • ythelastman89
    May 18, 2011
    ythelastman89
    This is such a beautiful interpretation of a long absent hero. I remember loving the Disney version when I was little and this was such an exciting moment. Bringing back the character in a way that pays homage to the original incarnation, but also creating a new story is the best... read more way to go about it. Anthony Hopkins does a great job of brining back Don Diego de la Vega from cinematic death and making him just as charming and undeniably cool. Even when he plays the older version of the character, it's obvious how powerful his performance is. However, it really is Antonio Banderas' performance as the new Zorro, Alejandro Murrieta, that steals the show and makes you truly feel the weight of the legendary character. His approach is so much fun to watch. Martin Campbell sure makes an effort to have Zorro appear larger than life. I don't think I've ever seen such a large scale accompanying the character. He gives us ridiculously cool action sequences, amazing sets and a realistic backdrop of California in the 1800s. This also pits Zorro against two extremely evil villains that make for a lot of intensity. Having a cannibalistic blonde-haired goon is just a taste of the dynamite characters. I remember being completely blown away as a nine-year-old in the theater and it still sort've has the same effect all these years later.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Entertaining and dashing, The Mask Of Zorro is a superb action film. Antonio Banderas gives the greatest performance of his career as Zorro. A thrilling action packed film, The Mask Of Zorro is a superbly crafted action film that is entertaining and thrilling throughout. The film... read more is never boring and delivers terrific action. The acting is terrific as well, and the cast alongside Banderas is great. Anthony Hopkins stars as the original Zorro who takes an apprentice under his wing to exact revenge on the man who imprisioned him and took away his daughter.I have to admit, I never really was a big fan of the Zorro character, but after seeing this film I was blown away. The best way to describe this film is an action packed period piece. The story is engaging enough to keep the viewer entertained and thrilled. I viewed this film quit a few times since its initial release and it doesn't seem dated one bit. The film is just as good now as it was when first released. The Mask Of Zorro remains Antonio Banderas' best performance and he give his all on screen. He is the perfect choice to play Zorro. The film may be uneven, but it succeeds on many levels. A highly entertaining action packed adventure that hits the right notes. Even if it has imperfections, there are more high points than low points. An entertaining film that actually makes Zorro an interesting action hero again.
  • coollala0910
    April 27, 2011
    coollala0910
    "The Mask of Zorro" has always been, and always will be, one of my favorite movies. I watched it again on Easter Sunday for the first time in a while and it wasn't as fun as I remembered it to be. Well, I picked the right time to review this since a new version of Zorro is in the... read more offing and one of the film's stars, Anthony Hopkins, will be seen in "Thor" next week.

    The film is set in the 1800s when Mexico was under Spanish rule and Mexicans were colonizing California. When the Spainsh push the Mexican's buttons too much, one man takes care of it: Zorro. He's got the black mask, cape, gets around in a black horse, his hifeout is a cave, go ahead and call him the Mexican Batman. After Zorro (Anthony Hopkins) witnesses the murder of his wife and kidnapping of his daughter, he becomes depressed and hangs up the Zorro suit for good. But when he comes across Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas), a man who wants to avenge the death of his brother, Mr. Hopkins gives him the mask and cape to avenge the death of his brother held responsible from a merciless general.

    "Zorro" moves at a good pace and features plenty of action. If you were to mix the superhero genre with a swashbuckler, you get "The Mask of Zorro". The film features entertaining performances from the main and supporting cast, perfect production design and shooting style, and delivers barrel loads of fun.

    This'll probably be the only time you will see Hannibal Lecter, or Odin, with a tan and a Hispanic accent. Anthony Hopkins plays a good Mexican. He also adds emotion into it since his character has been throught some tough times. But don't expect a lot of emotion, this film is not a tearjerker. Antonio Banderas will always be Zorro in my book. He sly, witty, and the characters fits him excellently. Zorro's personality is similar to that of Batman but has the wit and charisma of Spider-Man. And by sly and witty, I mean sly and witty. Put the word, "zorro", on Google Translate, set it to English from Spanish, and you'll never believe what you'll get! I love Catherine Zeta-Jones in this. And I mean "love" in two ways: her acting and her looks. She had a very good character that had excellent chemistry.

    I seem to enjoy the swashbuckler genre because of the dialogue found in most of the films. They have very witty dialogue that I would've never came up with him. They criticize each other in a sword fight and the hero comes up with a very sassy comeback. In "The Mask of Zorro" features a lot of sassy, witty dialogue from, if I'm correct, all the characters. Very well scripted.

    Great acting and action and fun dialogue, "The Mask of Zorro" is a swashbuckler classic IMO. Don't get me started on the sequel, folks. Thanks for reading! Leave clean comments below.

    "You are like your mother. Same eyes, same mouth, same spirit."
  • cosmo313
    August 19, 2010
    cosmo313
    Full of energy and well done action, this is a pretty decent Zorro update. I'm happy that they kept it traditional, and that they didn't try to make it contemporary or anything. I don't remember much of this, so it may be better than I'm giving it credit for. I guess it's time f... read moreor a rewatch.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Very enjoyable, action packed, and saucy.
  • TomBowler
    July 31, 2009
    TomBowler
    catherine zeta-jones should have her clothes cut off her more often, in my opinion. antonio banderas brings such a freshness with him in this role, playing it wonderfully
  • FiLmCrAzY
    April 29, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    i love this movie its so enterting and action packed and you want the good guys to win so badly i love this movie its so worth a watch as its funny and really entertaining
  • Deano78
    September 6, 2008
    Deano78
    This is a great action film with lots of stunts, fights thrown in. Quite light hearted and funny as well.
  • thmtsang
    June 14, 2008
    thmtsang
    Who cares about Zorro? Boring movie.

View All The Mask of Zorro Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

The Mask of Zorro stands as a pointed riposte to those who say they don't make 'em like that anymore. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The story is not important. The clash of swords, the leaps, the tumbles -- it's all very nice. But after 136 minutes, it becomes a bit much. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Banderas and Hopkins prove that there's life in the Z-boy yet, but by leaving in the dull patches, the filmmakers may find audiences catching zzzzzs in ways they never intended.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A lively, old-fashioned adventure yarn with just a twist of modern attitude, it's the kind of pleasant entertainment that allows the paying customers to have as much fun as the people on screen. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

One of the most glorious and rousing adventure movies Hollywood has ever produced. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

With a wealth of charismatic Zorros (two), a smashing heroine and a dauntless love of adventure, this is hot-weather escapism so earnestly retrograde that it seems new. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Offers just what one might reasonably expect from a Zorro movie: a great deal of excitement and adventure, all brought to the screen by using a somewhat irreverent tone that keeps the mood light witho... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Mask of Zorro has something you don't often see in modern action pictures: a sense of honor. Full Review

David Denby
January 1, 2000
David Denby, New York Magazine

Banderas, with his flashing eyes, makes a good mock-Hidalgo, but the movie would be a lot more amusing if it weren't such kid stuff. Full Review

James Plath
February 26, 2012
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

This is the best movie version of Zorro to date, and High-Definition makes it that much more exciting. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Don Diego de la Vega: You have passion Alejandro and your skill is growing. But when to Montero's world I must give you something which is COMPLETELY,..beyond your reach.
    • Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: Ah yes? And what is that?!
    • Don Diego de la Vega: Charm.
    • Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: And what is that?....
    • Don Diego de la Vega: [chuckles] Convince Montero that you're a gentleman of stature,...and he will let you into his circle.
    • Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: Me?.....A gentleman?......Hmm..This is going to take a lot of work.
    • Don Diego de la Vega: [blows a puff of smoke] Yes....
    • Don Rafael Montero: I would never have let any harm come to her...
    • Don Diego de la Vega: She was never yours to protect.
    • Don Diego de la Vega: Do you know how to use that thing?
    • Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro: Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man.
    • Don Diego de la Vega: [sighs] This is going to take a lot of work.
  • Sean Connery turned down the part of Don Diego de la Vega.
  • Robert Rodriguez was originally attached to direct, but the studio didn't agree with his much-more violent and R-rated proposal.
  • Raul Julia was originally supposed play Diego de la Vega but died before he could take the role.
Submit a Fact | View All

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The Mask of Zorro Trivia

  • Which actor appears in the movies Shrek 2, Desperado And The Mask Of Zorro?  Answer »
  • Which movie is this quote from: "I am a man in search of a vision"?  Answer »
  • In which 1998 movie did Antonio Banderas star in with Catheren Zeta Jones?  Answer »
  • Name the movie where Anthony Hopkins teaches his pupil Antiono Banderas to fight with a sword to get revenge agaisnt the man who killed his wife and kidnapped his daughter and held him prisoner for 20 years?  Answer »
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