• Largely in the archives for some nice action sequences involving Douglas Fairbanks’ acrobatics
  • Fairbanks was really trying to break into a new mode- get away from romance films- quite a move here becoming the 20’s version of Errol Flynn
  • Detail in the “Z” and sword designed title cards
  • Strong myth-making in the narrative- the Spanish Robin Hood set in California
  • Duel identities- secret entrance to mansion- the story’s influence on Batman
  • Fairbanks is comedic- agile
  • The word “oppressors” is like “bondage” in The 10 Commandments– it’s oppressive to the viewer—would make for a fun drinking game
  • Blue day-for-night tinting, green tinting for the garden
  • Some admirable attempts at Spanish décor
  • Zorro here is a goofball- shadow puppets, magic and feigns being aloof—stops during a big battle for a bite to eat
  • Tons of dialogue- when he confronts a table of idlers his speech is 4-5 pages long
  • The best scenes are the climactic battle- jumping over a horse, scaling walls, sword-play and chance for Fairbanks to show off his physical talents
  • Recommend