"The Masked Avenger" has been a staple of movie and TV fare ever since the 1920 Douglas Fairbanks classic THE MARK OF ZORRO; inevitably, his popularity led to the character being picked by other countries as well, often in low-brow productions, with perhaps the most successful of these being the 1974 film entitled simply ZORRO (starring Alain Delon). Anyway, this is one of those dime-a-dozen efforts (I missed out on a couple of others not too long ago but, since this got shown over last year's Christmas period, I opted to have it taped for later viewing); as is often the case with such undemanding (and modest) pictures, it proves instantly forgettable but reasonably entertaining nevertheless. Opening with a stagecoach robbery, the film does feel like a Western most of the time, which is not in itself a bad thing; another palpable incongruity is the fact that Zorro's alter-ego is not that of a foppish aristocrat but rather a vaguely sycophantic valet (apart from which, in the guise of one Tony Russell, he sports graying hair albeit retaining the trademark dashing features)! Again, predictably, he is made to rout a usurping governor and the girl who idolizes him (and whom he secretly loves) not only despises the valet for his apparent treason but is even engaged to marry an eminent town member who resents her affection for Zorro and, naturally, ultimately sacrifices himself for the good of the cause; his sidekick, then, is a young inventor (that is, not very adept at derring-do) – while the villain's burly lieutenant provides the obligatory comic relief. It is futile to give more details about the plot since, to be honest, I cannot recall more than I have already described – I do know, however, that the title is a reference to nothing in particular – nor are any of the action set-pieces throughout exactly outstanding; I will just say that the film supplies the right ingredients for an evening's relaxation and leave it at that

Spanish-language cinema across Spain and Latin America is united by its engagement with history, cultural identity, and social transformation. In Spain, films often balance artistic experimentation with popular genres while reflecting on memory, politics, and family. In Latin America, cinema has been deeply tied to questions of colonial legacy, resistance, and community resilience, ranging from intimate dramas to bold political allegories.

Ana Torrent in The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

The spaghetti Western subgenre, primarily produced by Italian filmmakers and filmed in Europe in the mid-20th century, features a distinctive style and unique approach to the traditional Western genre. They are often characterized by their gritty and stylized visuals, unconventional storytelling, and use of Italian filmmakers, actors, and locations.

Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The Western genre features stories set primarily in the 19th-century American Old West and often depict the rugged frontier life, exploring themes of individualism, justice, morality, and the clash between civilization and the untamed wilderness. The genre has its roots in the historical context of westward expansion and the challenges faced by pioneers, settlers, outlaws, and lawmen.

John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)

During the Mexican revolution against the Spanish, Zorro fights against tyranny.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Alain Delon, Stanley Baker, and Ottavia Piccolo in Zorro (1975)

Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Tony Russel in Behind the Mask of Zorro (1964)

Behind the Mask of Zorro

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