MovieChat Forums > The Mark of Zorro (1974) Discussion > My first exposure to Zorro was...

My first exposure to Zorro was...

posted 17 years ago by eugene1001us
4 replies | jump to latest

The Guy Williams version from the Disney series. I became a fan. His version proved so popular that Zorro became a Halloween icon (this was the late 50's/early 60's). My mom even bought me my first Halloween costume around then (Zorro, natch..though I loved Superman more then). It came equipped with a black plastic hat, plastic cape and mask as well as a plastic sword (with a piece of chalk attached to the end). I chalked up all of my parents furniture with "Z"s all over the place. When that wasn't enough, I sharpened the plastic end (after removing the chalk...and don't even ask me how I came up with that idea). Well what a whooping I got.

I later saw what I thought was the original "Mark of Zorro" with Tyrone Power, and became even more of a fan. Then this version.

Anyway. I thought Frank Langella was superb. He played the version of Don Diego de la Vega (forgive me for saying this) more "gay" and "effeminate" than all of the other versions. Yet I felt it was even more effective than the other versions. Just like "Clark Kent" being a bumbling fool and "Superman" being just so cool. How could Esteban even consider Diego to be a rival?

This was the first time I have ever seen Frank Langella perform in my life. Then I saw him in person in "Dracula" on Broadway. And I have remained a loyal fan, to this day. Ironically he even did perform in a "Superman" movie. Didn't he?

"I am bound to this earth. I make it my domain".

Dracula

[–] grendelkhan 15 years ago

This was actually my first exposure to Zorro, though I had seen Mask of the Avenger, which is basically a Zorro film, crossed with the Count of Monte Cristo. I loved the film, especially the duals. I didn't get to see the 1940 version until I was in high school. When I watched it, I was bothered by the fact that Zorro's mask kept switching between a cowl (over the head) and a bandit mask (lower portion of the face). I had been condtioned by this movie to expect the cowl. However, I enjoyed the film.

I eventually caught this version again on cable. I was disappointed that it lacked the scope of the 1940 version, due to the tv budget and a few of the performances were stilted, but still enjoyed it. It sparked a great love of Zorro, in all of his forms (although the original story, Curse of Capistrano, pales in comparison to the movies).

[–] little-miss-chocolate 15 years ago

Mine was the 90's TV series.

I liked Langhella's Diego - the difference between him and Zorro was just wonderful. I prefer Banderas as Zorro, though. More of a typical rugged fighter. I would love to have have Cary Elwes as Zorro - so classy, and he already had the costume from Princess Bride.

I'm anespeptic, frasmotic, even compunctuous to have caused you such pericumbobulations...

[–] vpilutis 14 years ago

He was Perry White in "Superman Returns"

Frank got to play THREE of the men in black:

Dracula
Zorro
The other being Batman too bad he couldn't of played Bats

[–] Cryptogram 12 years ago

Guy Williams was the first Zorro I've saw as well. He's still my all-time favorite when it comes to who plays Zorro. When I saw the one with Mr. Langella play him, it was different and surprising. I don't think they did him justice in the costume department. The outfit looked a little bigger than him and the mask looked like it didn't fit his face. Other than that, the movie was enjoyable.

__________
~Please treat others how you'd want to be treated~