In 1919, Johnston McCulley created a legacy in The Curse of Capistrano. The work marked the debut of Zorro, the predecessor to our beloved Dark Knight. On November 27, 1920, Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corporation (later United Artists) released The Mark of Zorro, the first action/adventure (and comic book) film to grace the silver screen. Whoever says films deviate too much from the source material is absolutely correct. They should take a lesson from Fred Niblo’s classic.
The result is a romantic, awe-inspiring, breathless piece of cinema. There are no ridiculous lines, no ludicrous CGI, no shoddy performances. It is simply devastating to the senses.
Direction: Fred Niblo knew exactly what he was doing when he asked Douglas Fairbanks to etch The Mark of Zorro. Niblo is the consummate manipulator, using brilliant timing of action choreography, ingenious comic relief, douses of sexuality, and an innate sense of exhilaration to give silent movie audiences the time of their lives. Score: 9.5.
Production: Rehashing sets is one of the legacies of silent cinema. Guess what? Niblo breaks tradition here as well, using the San Fernando Valley and Shadow Hills in Los Angeles to create ambiance. The result is absolutely breathtaking. Score: 10.
Cinematography: While many of the shots are stagnant, they are exceptionally well planned and staged. The scenery and the performances seem to play off of each other. Fantastic set lighting only further enhances the experience. Score: 10.
Editing: Welcome to the birth of the reaction shot. The timing is oddly appropriate. Silent films usually garner a lower score, yet this is an exception.Score: 10.
Costuming/Art Direction: Authenticity is key here. The audience can actually believe in the story. The costumes are dazzling and exceptional, though some of the extras have bulging errors. A minor setback, however. Score: 10.
Script/Story: Fan-freaking-tastic. If you’ve read the book (and I HIGHLY encourage it), you see little to no deviation whatsoever. I love that book, and I love this film. Love, passion, action, and humiliation… and I savor every single frame. Score: 10.
Special Effects: It’s no lie. Mr. Fairbanks does all his own stunts, and some will genuinely shock audiences. A smoky, romantic atmosphere helps establish the film. Score: 10.
Score/Soundtrack: It’s a silent film. A score isn’t really applicable until 1970, when William Perry created music. The result is a little disappointing. Score: 5.
Primary Cast: Fairbanks, Robert McKim, and Marguerite De La Motte are at their best. Fairbanks is the sword-wielding demon, the legend from which all other superheroes derive. Robert McKim makes a calculating, thoughtful foe. De La Motte is beautiful and a perfect feminine foil for Fairbanks. Score: 10.
Supporting Cast: Noah Berry’s Sergeant Gonzalez and George Periolat overdo it a bit, even in silent film terms. The rest of the cast is solid and only add to the spectacular atmosphere. Score: 8.5.
Total Points: 93
Final Score: 10
The Mark of Zorro is one of the most underrated films of all time. There are so many adjectives I deem necessary to describe it, but they would take up an entire page. Even if you’re not a fan of silent films, you’ll love this movie. And if you don’t, you need smacked.
The result is a romantic, awe-inspiring, breathless piece of cinema. There are no ridiculous lines, no ludicrous CGI, no shoddy performances. It is simply devastating to the senses.
Direction: Fred Niblo knew exactly what he was doing when he asked Douglas Fairbanks to etch The Mark of Zorro. Niblo is the consummate manipulator, using brilliant timing of action choreography, ingenious comic relief, douses of sexuality, and an innate sense of exhilaration to give silent movie audiences the time of their lives. Score: 9.5.
Production: Rehashing sets is one of the legacies of silent cinema. Guess what? Niblo breaks tradition here as well, using the San Fernando Valley and Shadow Hills in Los Angeles to create ambiance. The result is absolutely breathtaking. Score: 10.
Cinematography: While many of the shots are stagnant, they are exceptionally well planned and staged. The scenery and the performances seem to play off of each other. Fantastic set lighting only further enhances the experience. Score: 10.
Editing: Welcome to the birth of the reaction shot. The timing is oddly appropriate. Silent films usually garner a lower score, yet this is an exception.Score: 10.
Costuming/Art Direction: Authenticity is key here. The audience can actually believe in the story. The costumes are dazzling and exceptional, though some of the extras have bulging errors. A minor setback, however. Score: 10.
Script/Story: Fan-freaking-tastic. If you’ve read the book (and I HIGHLY encourage it), you see little to no deviation whatsoever. I love that book, and I love this film. Love, passion, action, and humiliation… and I savor every single frame. Score: 10.
Special Effects: It’s no lie. Mr. Fairbanks does all his own stunts, and some will genuinely shock audiences. A smoky, romantic atmosphere helps establish the film. Score: 10.
Score/Soundtrack: It’s a silent film. A score isn’t really applicable until 1970, when William Perry created music. The result is a little disappointing. Score: 5.
Primary Cast: Fairbanks, Robert McKim, and Marguerite De La Motte are at their best. Fairbanks is the sword-wielding demon, the legend from which all other superheroes derive. Robert McKim makes a calculating, thoughtful foe. De La Motte is beautiful and a perfect feminine foil for Fairbanks. Score: 10.
Supporting Cast: Noah Berry’s Sergeant Gonzalez and George Periolat overdo it a bit, even in silent film terms. The rest of the cast is solid and only add to the spectacular atmosphere. Score: 8.5.
Total Points: 93
Final Score: 10
The Mark of Zorro is one of the most underrated films of all time. There are so many adjectives I deem necessary to describe it, but they would take up an entire page. Even if you’re not a fan of silent films, you’ll love this movie. And if you don’t, you need smacked.
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