Customer Reviews

Zorro [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I saw this MOVIE 20 years ago, it was FULL TWO HOURS and MUCH, MUCH more fun than this brutally "edited" version! Alain Delon fans, Zorro fans, let's talk our wish clear and loud: WE WANT SEE
THE WHOLE MOVIE!

There are many actors who've played Zorro on the screen, but few that I would say really bring the character to life on the screen, and these include Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Tyrone Power, Guy Williams (of the Disney TV series), Reed Hadley (of the Republic serial ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGION), Duncan Regehr (of the Family Channel TV series), and Alain Delon. This film, shot in Italy/France, takes the origin of Zorro in a new direction, transferring the origin from Los Angeles California to Nuova Aragon in South America and giving a less altruistic reason for creating the identity of Zorro (the murder of Zorro's friend, the new Governor of Nuova Aragon, by the evil Colonel Huerta) among other differences, but the plot flows well enough, the humor of Zorro's outfoxing Hueta and his men has been restored, and the final duel between Zorro and Huerta (probably the longest on record) is excellently choreographed. Although some scenes have been edited to make this film more PG tha! n PG-13 (trimming away some of the more graphic violence), it is still one of the best ZORRO films made and should be considered wrth being a part of any ZORRO film collection. END

Banderas and Hopkins should have taken notes from Alain Delon and Stanley Baker! Unequivocally the greatest dual committed to film. Alain Delon and Stanley Baker are perfectly cast in this European version that makes all American versions look like a cheap costume party. Fantastic sets, wonderful costumes, the audience member is transported back in time. While far from the plot of Johnston McCulley's 1919 novel, this 1975 version does retain the spirit of his original character. What I don't like is that this version has been mercilessly edited of some key scenes. I would like to encourage all fans of this film to lobby for it's FULL restoration to two hours.

All of us probably have the greatest affinity for the first characterization we saw of our favorite heroes, whether it is Superman, Sherlock Holmes, or Zorro. Alain Delon was the first Zorro I saw, so all others fall WAY short in my opinion. Saw this movie on TV as a kid in 1976 and became obsessed with Zorro for a long time. Years later, when I saw it on Amazon on VHS I bought it immediately with a shout of glee!

The movie itself has a certain rough-cut, but magical charm. Dont expect a well polished, big budget film. This is a spagetti-western (low budget, made in Italy), with the same gritty feel as Clint Eastwood's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." The theme/score is a folksy, uplifting song that you will never forget- because it seems to be the only song they play, except for the villian music/dirge. SOme don't like it; I think it adds to the charm of the film.

Great family movie! I watched it with my kids and they laughed for days at the mild camp and gag-lines! Lots of good clean humor, great sets and costumes, and some of the BEST SWORDFIGHTING on film. No love scenes...just love interest/romance. Three on-screen deaths but no blood or gore. NO PROFANITY! What a novel idea...!

The story departs artistically from the typical Don Diego in California. In this version, Diego clandestinely assumes the identity of his assassinated friend, the incoming Governor of Nuevo Aragon(?) which is either a fictitious province of early 19th century Mexico or South America. He cleverly deals with the villian (and heroine) in both roles, as a wimpy, weak ruler and also as the daring masked rider. Children cheer as he appears, dealing out justice to corrupt officials and leaving his trademark "Z" majestically with a whip or sword. The film suggests that "Zorro is back", and hints that perhaps a previous governor was an earlier Zorro some years ago, and the downtrodden villagers are jubilant to see Zorro return.

All of Zorro's appearances are spectacular, and his escapes are humorous and amazing, from bouncing on multiple awnings onto his horse, to rolling down a ramp in a wine barrel toppling soldiers on his way. Unmatched stunts and swordplay.

Quirky and fun. A must see for true Zorro fans. Just realize going in that your favorite Zorro will probably always be the one you saw first. Alain Delon is still my favorite.

This is a wonderful Zorro film. I am avid Zorro collector and have the original, with the extra scenes, on VHS. This DVD is like someone rescued the various clips from their VHS tape and copied it to DVD. That said, though, ... it's still worth having. The fight scenes are intact and was some of the best swordfighting choreography ever. It's missing all the story buildup, so many of the scenes won't make sense, but the fact that I can still enjoy it even with all that gone says something about this film.

"Zorro", the 1975 version starring Alain Delon, isn't a heavy-weight movie. But it features four action set-pieces that bring out all the excitement and romance and charm that the new movie doesn't quite catch. Alain Delon as Zorro is perfect - perfectly handsome, with a great sense of comic timing, and handles a sword with the best. I saw this movie when I was 12 when it was shown on TV on New Years Eve. It made a lasting impression. From the catchy tune "Zorro's Back" to the fantastic 20 minute sword fight at the end of the movie (when Zorro fights the bad guy, of course!) it's a great hour and a half. Highly recommended. Be sure to buy a copy of a *good* print that hasn't been cut.

1977, I was in 7th grade, my hormones just beginning to carbonate. My parents let me stay up to see "Zorro" with Alain Delon. I spent the movie with my mouth open, my imagination reeling and my total sense of romance cracked open. This was the beginning of a total fascination with the black masked hero that has continued on into adulthood. I've seen every one of the Zorro movies ever made - a total geek. This one is special for so many reasons - Alain Delon is the most manly of the Zorros to ever wear the mask, particular care and love was given to showing the cleverness of Zorro rather than just simple sword play and gnashing of teeth, and the focus is on Zorro's work for justice rather than just getting the girl. I still thrill to see this movie and become the heart-thumping 12 year old each time the first images roll across the screen! To me, Alain Delon is still one of the most beautiful men God made. The DVD has some issues - apparently the original film didn't survive intact and some of the scenes are either cut short or totally cut out. Enough of the original remains, however, for it to still be fun. Stanley Baker gets my vote for Best Zorro Bad Guy next to Ron Liebman in "Zorro the Gay Blade"! (although, much more serious:)

There is now - finally! - a FULL version of this movie available on DVD. It's an official MGM DVD, and it clocks in at slightly over 1 hour 58 minutes. The catch? It's only available in Region 2 format! For those of you who have multi-region players or can watch on your computers, though, it's WELL worth it. It's available at Amazon.fr right now...

This is a very enjoyable zorro movie, although somewhat removed from its original roots, it makes it all the more better. I like how colonel Huerta suspects the Governor/Zorro from the begining and every attemp he tries to catch him he fails. Alain Delon is the perfect Zorro and Stanley Baker a good villian "only real danger and actual bleeding can teach a man to fight."
The only problem is trying to find a good copy of this movie. I have had 3 different copies, all from different companys, and each either leave out a scene or two or have betters or worse picture quality. I ordered the DVD in hopes of the better.

I like the movie. I do. But the quality of the DVD is just awful. No restoration of the picture or sound. The bad quality just kills the great job of the movie crew. I'll try to find another edition. I think Amazon.com should not sell such low quality stuff. I understand it's cheap. But it doesn't worth a dollar.