st-shot The original movie swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks is in fine form as the enigmatic avenger of the oppressed in The Mark of Zorro. Playing the dual role of the acrobatic swordsman and the wimpish Don Diego, Fairbanks is equally adept at evoking thrills and laughter in this rollicking action adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously.The son of a well to do family in Spanish ruled California, Don Diego returns from Spain unknown to no one that he has become an expert swordsman. Using his talent to defend the weak against a brutal military government he carves the scarlet letter (courtesy of their blood) Z on the faces of his victims. It is as much a game as a crusade to Zorro though as he takes every opportunity to make fools of his pursuers and humiliate braggarts with enough time in between to fall in love. Gliding breezily along on his charm and daring do Fairbanks must have wowed the audiences in 1920 with his athletic swordplay while supplying a wry confident smile in the midst of it. At the same time the hilarious nuance he brings to the meek Don Diego provides the film some with some of its funnier moments and respite from the brawling. Noah Beery is wildly over the top as Sgt. Gonzales and the rest of the cast is less than memorable but it matters little with Doug Fairbanks coming to the rescue in scene after scene.

Neil Doyle Enjoyable silent film provided with a musical soundtrack by TCM.DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS is the famous masked bandit, balancing a nice sense of humor and heroics, demonstrating the athletic side of Don Diego which has to be hidden by the more effete man who tires so easily. He's a Spanish version of the Scarlet Pimpernel. MARGUERITE DE LA MOTTE is a lovely heroine and ROBERT McKIM does everything but twirl his mustache as the villain from whose clutches Fairbanks must rescue the damsel in distress.Obviously a high-budget production with rich settings, nicely photographed in Sepia or blue tints for the night scenes. What's really astonishing is Fairbanks doing all those climbing stunts in the last reel, with so much ease. Full of youthful vigor and high spirits, he found a role that suited him to perfection, able to show two sides of his personality with charm and/or vigor while not ignoring the stunts that made him famous.It's an enjoyable and swaggering adventure, remade many times in the future, most notably with the 1940 sound version starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone.Summing up: Familiar yarn, well done and standing the test of time better than many other silent films thanks to good production values.

wes-connors In the early 1800s, California had warmth, romance, and peaceful beauties; yet, the dreaded disease of oppression held a creeping hold over its people. And, so, the mysterious masked rider Douglas Fairbanks (as Zorro) appeared, punishing the oppressors, and protecting the people. After felling evildoers, Mr. Fairbanks carves "The Mark of Zorro" (a "Z") somewhere, as a calling card. Unbeknownst to most everyone, "Zorro" is, under his mask, dandy Douglas Fairbanks (in a duplicitous role, as Don Diego Vega).This was the first of Fairbanks' great swashbuckling adventures of the 1920s; it is not the grandest, most expensive of the productions; but, it does contain one of Fairbanks' best performances, which makes it look like a bigger production. His athletic ability is outstanding as the sword fighting "Zorro", and his foppish alter ego is equally charming. Fairbanks creates an interesting characterization. Note his contrasting introductions; as the delicate "Don Carlos", he emerges from under a protective umbrella; as "Zorro" he menacingly appears, in dark disguise. Overall, Fairbanks balances heroics and humor.Fairbanks' film persona appears to have influenced the "Super-Hero" comic books which began appearing in 1938, with "Superman" in "Action". The timidity displayed by "Don Diego" resembles that of Superman's "Clark Kent" character. Love interest Marguerite De La Motte (as Lolita) reacts to Fairbanks' characters like Superman's girlfriend "Lois Lane" reacts to his. "Zorro" is more like the masked "Batman", with a "Captain Marvel" cape. The manner in which "Zorro" enters his home seems very much like "Batman" entering Wayne Manor, and descending into the "Batcave". Those early super-hero creators certainly must have enjoyed watching Fairbanks leaping and bounding around.And, don't tune out before the final "curtain" for Fairbanks and his "Lolita"; it's a charming, unforgettable closing. ********* The Mark of Zorro (11/27/20) Fred Niblo ~ Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte, Robert McKim, Noah Berry

Snow Leopard Besides being entertaining in itself, "The Mark of Zorro" also provides Douglas Fairbanks with a nice showcase, in a dual role that gives him plenty of good material to work with. While other versions of the Zorro legends are now more familiar to present-day audiences, this one is probably still better than any of the others except for the 1940 version with Tyrone Power.The 1998 update had big names and a big budget, but it was of much lower quality, glossy and over-played at a number of points, and with too much material of comic-book quality at other times.Fairbanks works nicely both as Don Diego and as Zorro, and he gets opportunities to display many different talents. He gets to display his swash-buckling yet easy-going persona, and then at other times is able to show a more refined, sometimes vulnerable side. Not only does he make both personalities work, but he melds them together into a believable whole, not so much by means of artifice as by the vigor and sincerity of his screen presence.The story, likewise, presents an interesting situation that works Fairbanks in well with the other characters. Though they are less interesting in themselves, the secondary characters each play a useful role in the story and in the ideas that it suggests. This old version of the Zorro tale holds up well - at least for those who enjoy silent movies - and it presents a nicely paced and entertaining story.