"ZORRO: THE COMPLETE SERIES"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ***** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Guy Williams as DON DIEGO DE LA VEGA Gene Sheldon as BERNARDO Henry Calvin as SGT. MEMETRIO LOPEZ GARCIA George J. Lewis as DON ALEJANDRO DE LA VEGA Not Rated Studio: Walt Disney Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
As part of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible sets, the Mouse House has released the complete classic television series “Zorro” in two volumes. This is the first television series about the legendary Californian crime fighter, developed by Walt Disney Studios for prime time. The story follows the privileged Don Diego de la Vega (Guy Williams) who wears a mask and fights injustice in Spanish-controlled California. The masked hero Zorro is helped by his trusty manservant Bernardo as he butts heads with the bumbling Sgt. Memetrio Lopez Garcia (George J. Lewis) and other corrupt authorities.
WHAT I LIKED
By the time I had become old enough to watch a series like “Zorro,” it really wasn’t rerun all that much on my local television stations. Thanks to the magic of DVD, the entire series is now available for anyone to watch.
These Walt Disney Treasures collections are always a great compilation, often packaging some rare and hard-to-find content. Even though the series only ran for two years, there were close to 80 episodes in the two seasons. Plus, there are four hour-long episodes made after the series was completed, all available on these two volumes.
As a big fan of the Batman characters, I have a special place in my heart for the character of Zorro, which was the inspiration for the Dark Knight both inside the comics and in real life. Considering when these shows were made, the story of a dark-suited vigilante were more serious and dramatic than what was passing for superhero stories in this era.
The scripts managed to juggle serious stories with comic relief (often provided by George J. Lewis), and the production value was excellent for a time when many shows on television were shot in a studio. They really have a cinematic feel to them and at times even rise above the films of that era.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The only real problems I had with this series were elements of its era. There was some cheesy writing (although a lot less than you’d expect for the late 1950s), and if you’re one of those people who can’t watch black and white television, this won’t be for you. However, like all of the classic Walt Disney Treasures releases, it is a brilliant compilation for the fans.
DVD FEATURES
Each volume of the “Zorro” releases come in a collectible black tin (featuring Zorro’s color rather than the traditional silver-colored box. They also include a collectible pin, a booklet with some history and a list of episodes, a numbered limited edition lithograph and a certificate of authenticity.
The DVD seasons each contain two of the hour-long “Zorro” adventures culled from what would have been a third season as well as an introduction by film historian Leonard Maltin. Season One includes a featurette on the development of Zorro on screen as well as a special introduction to the character with Walt Disney and the Mouseketeers. Season Two includes a retrospective of Guy Williams.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Zorro fans and anyone who likes classic Walt Disney television.
