- There's a good reason that most versions of Batman's origin story have a young Bruce Wayne watch The Mark of Zorro on the night of his parents' murders. The mask, the secret identity, the physical training -- heck, Zorro even pitches his voice down while in costume just like a certain Dark Knight I could mention. Zorro and, to a lesser extent, the Scarlet Pimpernel were the most direct inspirations for the hordes of superheroes to follow, so it's always interesting to see how early film versions of these original supermen compare to their more modern incarnations. In the case of the 1940 version of The Mark of Zorro, the answer is that they hold up quite well indeed.
- The Mark of Zorro isn't the first filmed version of Zorro, but it may very well be the best. Tyrone Power is perfectly cast as both the gallant, swashbuckling masked bandit Zorro and his amusingly foppish alter ego, Don Diego Vega. In fact, his Vega persona is much more amusing than I anticipated, as he loudly complains about the sort of problems that only a spoiled nobleman could have. As Zorro, however, Vega is a dashing swordsman who seeks to destabilize the rule of the corrupt Don Quintero (J. Edward Bromberg) while simultaneously wooing the Don's daughter, Lolita (Linda Darnell). But first he must defeat the villainous Captain Pasquale (Basil Rathbone), whose sword is never far from hand.
- While the film is entertaining throughout, the highlight for me is the absolutely riveting climactic swordfight between Zorro and Captain Pasquale. Most good fight scenes demonstrate that the actors trained for a few weeks beforehand, but Power and Rathbone obviously must have been seasoned fencers when they were hired for this film. The result is a completely convincing duel that refuses to be interrupted by trifles like staircases and furniture. It's a rare film that can deliver comedy and action as well as this one, but even more remarkable is the fact that the best cinematic swordfight I've ever seen hasn't been topped in 70 years.
- The director, Robert Mamoulian, also has an uncredited role in directing Laura.
- Zorro was based on a magazine story written by Johnston McCulley.
