I think The Mark of Zorro (1940) is the best Zorro film ever made. For one thing it is very a simple adventure movie. There's the hero with a hidden identity fighting for a good cause, the ruthless villain and the final duel between them, along with the romantic touch and even some humor reliefs.
Tyrone Power plays very good both his parts and shows the presence for the role. Basil Rathbone plays one of his usual great villains with a sword (others where Sir Guy in "Adventures of Robin Hood" and pirate Levasseur in "Captain Blood", both perfect too). Linda Darnell is correct in the female lead and the rest of the cast has no flaws. The final sword meeting between Power and Rathbone is one of the best ever made in movies.
But Rouben Mamoulian's picture is not just a Zorro movie; in fact it is one of the best swashbucklers in the history of cinema far simpler and better than others which had up to 60 years of advantage on technology and other resources.
The Mark of Zorro is simple and perfect. A 10 out of 10 rate in its genre.
Tyrone Power plays very good both his parts and shows the presence for the role. Basil Rathbone plays one of his usual great villains with a sword (others where Sir Guy in "Adventures of Robin Hood" and pirate Levasseur in "Captain Blood", both perfect too). Linda Darnell is correct in the female lead and the rest of the cast has no flaws. The final sword meeting between Power and Rathbone is one of the best ever made in movies.
But Rouben Mamoulian's picture is not just a Zorro movie; in fact it is one of the best swashbucklers in the history of cinema far simpler and better than others which had up to 60 years of advantage on technology and other resources.
The Mark of Zorro is simple and perfect. A 10 out of 10 rate in its genre.