Tyrone power very strong as both the arrogant cad and the sword-fighting hero
He’s not on Fairbanks level as an acrobat but it’s a different film, silent vs. talkie—the strengths here are mainly the climactic duel with Basil Rathbone (who is, as always, excellent here as the villainous Captain Esteban)
Known as one of the best sword-fights that has ever been on cinema
Nomination for Alfred Newman’s score
Fluffy—this isn’t serious stuff- I love that Gale Sondergaard’s character prays for a handsome man to take her away- haha
Definitely borrows more form 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood from Curtiz than the 1920 film of the same name- or at least as much—we have Rathbone again here as the heel, Eugene Palette plays the same guy here essentially- the Friar/Padre/Priest—and though he is not Spanish in the least Palette is great here- the scene where he says “my boy” where he beams with pride in finding out Power is Zorro is well done
No music in the epic duel battle- just swords clanging- well done
A rousing finale after that even if they can’t top the duel- lots of extras for credibility
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