Zorro:  The Legend Through The Years

Celebrate Zorro's 90th Anniversary: 1919-2009

July 2010:  The rights to the New World Zorro series have been acquired by Zorro Productions, Inc.  ZPI is planning to get the series released on DVD.  Please visit my Zorro blog for more information.

This romantic novel of love, betrayal, and intrigue by the Baroness Orczy was most likely Johnston McCulley's inspiration for Zorro.

Read summaries of McCulley's other Zorro stories

Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. brings fame to McCulley's creation by starring as Don Diego Vega and Zorro in this 1920 movie.  Fairbanks is lauded for his humorous portrayal of the lifeless Don Diego and the playful Zorro.

This film starring Douglas Fairbanks has very little to do with Zorro and was mainly a way to cash in on the success of the 1920 film.  Nevertheless, it is an excellent film and does have several great references to the 1920 Zorro film.

Robert Livingston stars as the first talking Zorro in this 1936 film.  The story and setting are different from the typical Zorro; the film is set in San Diego where Zorro has been captured and is to be executed.

This first movie serial stars John Carroll as a singing cowboy Zorro.  This version bills itself as a "modern Zorro" in which Zorro is seen not only in an old west setting but also alongside cars, trains, and skyscrapers in the big city.

Starring in what is considered to be one of the finest movie serials of all time, Reed Hadley plays a confident and decisive Zorro who faces some of the most difficult predicaments that any Zorro ever faces.

This film starring Tyrone Power is considered by many critics to be a cinematic masterpiece.  The film expands on McCulley's original Zorro legend and brings greater depth to the character.

Linda Stirling stars as a Zorro-like character in this 1944 release.  Even though the name Zorro appears nowhere but in the title, this serial must be considered a version of Zorro since Johnston McCulley is mentioned in the credits.

George Turner stars as Jeff Stewart, a descendant of the original Zorro, in this movie serial set in post-Civil War America.  Jeff must fight bandits who have the entire county at their mercy.

Clayton Moore stars as Ken Mason, the grandson of Don Diego Vega, who resurrects Zorro to fight the men who are trying to keep the telegraph out of New Mexico.

Guy Williams creates a new generation of Zorro fans with his memorable portrayal of Don Diego and Zorro in Walt Disney's adaptation of the legendary masked hero.

This made-for-television film starring Frank Langella uses much of the same script and music as the 1940 Zorro film with the most obvious difference being that several scenes have been removed.

This foreign film starring Alain Delon incorporates several elements of McCulley's original story into a new setting in South America and heralds a return to the more playful aspects of the Zorro legend.

This film starring George Hamilton is a satirical and comedic look at the legend of Zorro.  Hamilton plays dual roles as Don Diego and as Don Diego's flamboyantly gay brother Bunny Wigglesworth.

This short-lived television series starring Henry Darrow is a situation comedy with rhyming lines and slapstick comedy which continues the new era of playful Zorros.

This adaptation of Zorro has the same general premise as the Disney series except that this Zorro is even more kinder and gentler.  Additionally, the ongoing romance plays a very important role in the overall premise.

Antonio Banderas plays Alejandro Murrieta who takes on the mask of Zorro as he helps Don Diego de la Vega seek his revenge for the loss of his wife and daughter many years ago.

Antonio Banderas reprises his role as Don Alejandro and Zorro in this sequel to the 1998 film.  Zorro faces the loss of his family as a group of religious fanatics threaten the statehood of California.

Christian Meier stars in this Spanish telenovela which aired on the Telemundo network.  This story bends history and creates a fantasy setting in whichanything can happen.

The changes occurring in the legend of Zorro between 1919 and 1993 are summarized.