Alicia I love this movie so much

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

TheLittleSongbird A must see for Douglas Fairbanks fans, one of his classics and certainly does make its mark(pun intended). The film looks absolutely beautiful with crisp photography that has aged really well and evocatively rendered costumes and sets. The music in rhythm very Spanish-sounding, the sort that you'd hear dancing to a tango, and also has a tender romance sound without ever feeling syrupy. The Mark of Zorro is written in a witty and infectious way, sometimes like the above quote seductive. The story has action-adventure written all over it, and it is rollicking excitement from start to finish. There is never a dull moment and it is always easy to understand what's going on. If you want action and stunts, as you'd expect from an action-adventure or anything with Fairbanks, you'll not be disappointed whatsoever here, there's a good amount of it and it is choreographed beautifully. Fairbanks is a joy, he is still charismatic, heroic and is clearly enjoying every minute he is on screen. The stunts play to his strengths and he performs them with dazzling precision and athleticism, not just technically but you are put at ease watching him because he doesn't forget to act at the same time. All the cast are fine, Margarite De La Motte being fiery and affecting and sharing great chemistry with Fairbanks. Overall, a classic, from the 20s and of any decade and actually one of the greats of the action-adventure film genre, and one of Fairbanks'(while he is the star because everything else is done so well the film doesn't rely on star power alone, which is a further reason for Mark of Zorro's greatness) best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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

mlraymond As beloved as the 1940 Tyrone Power version is, this prototype of all Zorro movies is a must see, even for viewers who don't usually watch silent films.The movie makes up for its lack of aural excitement by staging the sword fights as rousing, comic duels, rather than deadly encounters. Who can forget the image of the black clad Zorro sitting cross legged on a tavern table, eating from a bowl of nuts with one hand, while fending off Sergeant Gonzales with his right? Zorro's dashing escapes and clever tricks are definitely played for comedy in most scenes. Douglas Fairbanks, Senior also plays Zorro's quieter moments with a rascally humor as well. In one memorable scene, he climbs over the garden wall of a beautiful senorita and kisses her, much to her surprise. When she slaps him, he laughs heartily. This seems to me the essence of Fairbanks in one image. The movie doesn't play everything for laughs, however. The villains are dastardly and wicked in an old fashioned melodrama way, and many romantic and adventure scenes are played completely straight. But it is the image of the masked, cigar smoking, laughing Zorro taunting his enemies, though outnumbered twenty to one ,that remains with me. Fairbanks also has a fine comic turn as the insipid, ineffectual fop Don Diego, pretending to admire Sergeant Gonzales' boasts that he'll show that bandit, if he can ever find him. Noah Beery Senior is a marvelous Gonzales, rowdy, boisterous, hard drinking, crude and macho. He makes a great comic villain for Zorro to oppose, while Robert McKim has a more serious bad guy role, as the lecherous soldier who attempts to steal the heroine's virtue, and is soundly defeated in a duel by the enraged Diego. A delightful musical score accompanies the movie, with tango rhythms and tender romantic themes. This is a true classic, that deserves to be seen by all lovers of adventure movies and dashing, romantic heroes coming to the rescue of beautiful ladies.

MartinHafer This film is apparently Douglas Fairbanks' first swashbuckler and for a first, it is very good--though I still think his later film, THE BLACK PIRATE, is easily the better of the two films. And, because it is a first for Fairbanks AND one of the earliest swashbucklers period, I cut it a little more slack and don't score this film quite as stringently as later ones in the genre.Douglas plays the somewhat wimpy and effeminate son of a well-respected member of the California gentry during the final days of Spanish rule. I say "somewhat" because in later Zorro films, these aspects are much more apparent--making his persona seem gay and a coward--much like the Scarlet Pimpernel character (who poses as a fop yet fights for justice). As Don Diego Vega, Fairbanks did a decent job. As Zorro, he was wonderful and athletic--and very magnetic.The direction, writing and acting was just fine. The only problem I found with the film is that the final resolution seemed to happen a little too quickly and easily. I wish it had been drawn out longer and the sword fighting sequences had been a little longer and more complex. Regardless, it STILL is an amazing and watchable film--even in the sound and special effects saturated world of today.