fcabanski I can't believe the other reviews I've read. Maybe they're talking about the first season, before the move to Family Channel and the total cast revamp. But the Family Channel version of this series, "Zorro" leaves a lot to be desired. It has some good points, that's why it's 4 stars instead of 1 star, but overall it is pretty bad.The main issue with this version is its swash doesn't buckle. Zorro is associated with terrific sword fights, and overall action. The version lacks both. The sword fights are poorly choreographed. Overall, the fights and chases are poorly done. Soldiers often trot after Zorro with their hands at their sides, not looking like they're running. Then Zorro steps aside so soldiers odd running from two directions run into each other.For some odd reason the beginning of the series, when Don Diego first becomes Zorro, is saved for the middle of season 1. The becoming Zorro part is pretty boring. But the wrapper story, Zorro supposedly killed falling off his horse, wraps up with some nice scenes, especially when Zorro takes the place of a dummy used to lay in for dead Zorro at his funeral. For a moment, there was hope for the series.The opening theme is weak. It's not Zorro music. It sounds like 80's techno music.The kid who plays Felipe is an awful actor. He often smirks or even smiles when he's supposed to be reporting dire news, or when he's in a sad or dangerous situation. For some odd reason, he's often used as an extra too. For example, in one episode the actor appeared as a tax delinquent farmer: he wore a cheesy mustache for that "role". In the same episode he was, while supposedly off to get Don Alejandro, also a towns person throwing rocks from the roof. The towns people walk on the roof without problem, but Zorro constantly stumbles and has to walk carefully on the same roof. Old ladies, old men" they maneuver more easily on a roof than Zorro maneuvers.Time and distance are oddly distorted. In one of the first episodes Felipe rides off to get Don Alehandro after Don Diego is arrested. Felipe rides off in a wagon. Less than a minute later Diego arrives in the cell. He looks out the cell window to see Felipe and Don Alejandro riding into Los Angeles on horses. Felipe rode home, told DA what was going on, traded the wagon for a horse, and rode back to Los Angeles in less than a minute.This Zorro tries to be more like batman, Zorro is always conducting scientific experiments. He builds various contraptions and devices which he uses in his adventures. But he uses them in odd ways. In one episode he makes a scope with special lenses that see in less colors, but also with less required light. He uses the night vision scope to see food foot prints on a roof. WHAT? Episodes frequently have big mistakes. For example, in one episode Don Diego compares a note sent by the new Padre of the mission with a note sent by a fake Padre. The note from the real Padre is a note about a new species of bird Diego discovered. The note from the fake Padre is supposedly about demanding a higher offering from the land owners. Diego notes the handwriting is not the same on the two letters supposedly sent by the same Padre. But when the camera pans to the letters, although the handwriting is different, both letters are the same: the letter about the birds.This is a disappointing Zorro series.

skiesfullofstars This is a wonderful version of Zorro! In this series, Diego de la Vega, played by the classy and intelligent Duncan Regehr, is a Renaissance man - artist, poet, scientist, and scholar. Fine actors Efrem Zimbalist Jr.,and Henry Darrow both portray Diego's father, Alejandro de la Vega. Injustice in old California inspires Diego to become El Zorro (The Fox). He battles numerous villains as well as the tyranny of two alcaldes (Michael Tylo and John Hertzler), and is halfheartedly pursued by the funny and lovable Sergeant Mendoza (James Victor), who obviously admires his superiors' nemesis. The fight scenes and the fencing are fun and fascinating to watch! There's a cute sidekick for Diego, his mute but not really deaf servant boy, Felipe, (Juan Diego Botto), a junior Zorro in training. Diego and Felipe have a great batcave, where they develop scientific experiments designed to aid the mission for honor and truth. Zorro has a gorgeous Andalusian stallion, Toronado, with intelligence and personality.Enchanting and fiery Victoria Escalante, the local tavern owner. is in love with Zorro, and regards handsome but bland Diego as a kind friend. Diego's angst and desire for Victoria render Zorro - despite his super swordplay and heroic qualities - very human. Love for the beautiful Victoria is the fuel which feeds Zorro's passionate fire. Que lastima! Diego sees her every day and can't tell her who he really is. She looks for Zorro around every corner, and doesn't have a clue that he is right there in her tavern eating her tortilla soup! Figuring out how to solve this troublesome triangle is Zorro's most difficult dilemma. The acting is excellent, with Duncan Regehr bringing panache, mystery, humor, and excitement to the Zorro part. In real life, Mr. Regehr is also a highly gifted artist - talents he draws upon with fine result. (Look carefully in Zorro's cave, and you'll see some of Regehr's artwork on the walls!) Guy Williams was terrific, but Duncan Regehr is the best Zorro ever! Patrice Martinez is a lovely and appealing Victoria, an excellent match for this hero. They really set this show apart, and create one of the most memorable romantic couples on TV.Even though underrated, it's one of the best television series ever, a great family show - enjoyable for both kids and adults. Values such as true love, justice, honor, faith, family, respect, kindness and loyalty are held to firmly. (Good music, too.) Don't miss it!!!

0412429602 I have got this series and this is the real Zorro!This masked avenger is spectacular and his enimie Luis Ramon is evil.Patrice Martinez his fantastic in the role of Victoria,Duncan Regher has got class,his interpretation his superb!James Victor is good and he does not fall in the ridicul like henry Calvin in the role of the seargent Garcia in disney's version of zorro with Guy Wiliams

Jon Torino I found this movie and another at our public SF library and was happy to see them. This movie is entitled "Zorro, The Legend Begins" and offers Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (Stephanie Zimbalist of Remington Steel fame is his daughter) as Zorro's father. The one difference in this telling of Zorro is his younger deaf mute companion.The film starts off with Don Diego (Zorro) as a young man sent from his father's prosperous ranch in a small Mexican village to a bigger city to broaden his education and to train with a famous swordsman. Diego returns many years later, his little deaf mute playmate has grown up as has the lovely Victoria (Patrice Camhi) who now runs the local tavern. The town is controlled by a vicious "Alcade" (Michael Tylo) who taxes the poor ranchers and tax people and is brutal to them. Zorro is being chased by the soldiers when he falls over a cliff and his horse goes back to the ranch to fetch Felipe (Juan Botta, the young deaf mute. As he lay there he takes us back through his memories of his life as Zorro. We learn how and why Don Diego creates his Zorro identity and watch as he saves the townspeople from the cruel Alcade.This is not a cheesy production. The costumes are well done as are the sets, including a glorious clipper ship that is real and takes Don Diego on his journey to learn how to be an expert swordsman. I'm hoping there are many more of these productions that I just haven't found yet. The second flim in this series (that I will review also) is entitled: Zorro: A Conspiracy of Blood. Apparently these movies were created for television. They are all in color and about 100 minutes long (1 hour 40 minutes).