Out of the Night a Hero Must Rise: Zorro Rides Again on DVD

When I was in junior high, I was enamored of a series on The Family Channel (which later morphed into ABC Family) that featured a handsome hero, a lovely lady, danger, justice, swashbuckling, humor, and romance. The hero was Zorro, and my brothers and I watched every episode without fail. Twenty-one years after it premiered, Zorro is finally arriving on DVD courtesy of A&E Home Video.

Set in Los Angeles in the early 19th century, Zorro is the story of Don Diego de la Vega, a young man from a wealthy family who returns from his studies in Spain to the family estate. Once there he realizes that the Alcalde (mayor) is corrupt and terrorizing the people of Los Angeles. Seen as a mild-mannered nerd by his family and friends, Don Diego concocts a sort of Robin Hood alter-ego, Zorro, who foils the Alcalde’s schemes at every turn with his skills at swordplay, science, acrobatics, and wit. Inspired by beautiful tavern owner Victoria and aided by his mute sidekick Felipe, Zorro rides about on his mighty horse Toronado righting wrongs and redecorating various objects with his famous “Z”.

The dual role of Don Diego de la Vega and Zorro is played by Canadian actor Duncan Regehr, a champion figure skater and Olympic boxer with training in Shakesperean theater. These skills serve him well as the swashbuckling but always elegant Zorro with the occasional emotionally heavy scene to deliver. The lovely Victoria is played by New Mexico-born Patrice Martinez, while Michael Tylo is Zorro’s arch-nemesis Alcalde Ramone, James Victor is the always bumbling Sergeant Mendoza, Juan Diego Botto is his trusty sidekick Felipe, and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. stars as Diego’s father in the first season with Henry Darrow taking over for the rest of the series.

I wondered if Zorro would hold up after 20 years, and from an adult perspective. It does admirably well on this front, much to my relief. The series is family friendly and almost universally sunny, with the occasional look at darker themes. Although the villains are usually played for laughs, there’s enough of a threat from most of them to make the drama believable. Sometimes the show veers into incredibly cheesy territory (Santa Claus shows up for one holiday episode!) and it can be stereotypical in its treatment of some cultures, yet I was also surprised to realize some of the political and social issues being dealt with that I’d missed as a child. Power struggles between white men and indigenous peoples abound; despite being in constant peril, Victoria is a strong-willed business owner who speaks up for herself and her friends; and judging people based on handicaps (such as the mute Felipe) is shown up frequently.

In addition to all 88 episodes from the series, the DVD set includes the full-length silent film The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Credited with defining the “swashbuckling” genre, this is an inspired choice to include with the series. Other extras include Chapter 1 of the 1939 theatrical serial “Zorro’s Fighting Legion” and trailers for additional serials, the original unaired pilot for the “New World Zorro” and a photo gallery from the series. It would have been nice to have an interview with Duncan Regehr or some commentary from the actors or producers for this release, but otherwise it feels like a lovingly curated collection for Zorro fans of any age.

Zorro: The Complete Series is available now for $59.99 on Amazon.