Amazon’s new Zorro series gets one element of his classic stories right that all of his movies have overlooked. Released on Amazon Prime Video, the new Spanish-language Zorro adaptation brings the swashbuckling vigilante back to the small screen for a 10-episode adventure. Starring Miguel Bernardeau in the titular role, Zorro is a new take on the origin story of the most iconic incarnation of The Fox, Don Diego de la Vega.
Over the years, Johnston McCulley’s Curse of Capistrano novel and its protagonist have been the inspiration for several live-action projects. In addition to being the focus of a handful of shows, the character has also received the Hollywood treatment on more than one occasion, with Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and Antonio Banderas all being counted among the actors to play Zorro. The number of times his story has been told means that various facets of his classic adventures have been explored by this point. However, not all have received adequate attention.
Zorro’s New Show Embraces His Native American Connections
Native Americans were close allies to Zorro in Johnston McCulley’s stories
Given the Western setting of the hero’s adventures, it’s not surprising that Native Americans had a presence in the original Zorro stories. After the 1919 Curse of Capistrano novel that debuted the character, Johnston McCulley continued penning Zorro tales, many of which being novellas and short stories that featured Native Americans. In multiple situations, Zorro was portrayed as a friend to the Native Americans who sought to protect them from persecution. In turn, they treated him with respect. Some were even aware of his secret identity. Interestingly, this is an avenue the Zorro movies didn’t explore, but the show doesn’t hesitate to immediately lean in that direction.
Why Hollywood Hasn’t Made A Real Zorro Movie In 80 Years
There have been several Zorro films over the years, but Hollywood hasn’t actually produced a proper Zorro movie since 1940’s Mark of Zorro.
Zorro makes a Native American tribe in 1834 California central to his origin story. In the canon of the series, “Zorro” is a legacy mantle associated with people who essentially serve as champions of the tribe who fight for their rights against the soldiers who oppress them. Diego receives the Zorro costume, sword, and the trademark black horse from a Native American looking to pick the recently deceased Zorro’s successor. Diego is granted this honor, despite not having any connection to their history, as they recognize him as a future ally.
Zorro’s Origin Story Change Makes Amazon’s Show A Unique Take On The Classic Character
Despite being a traditional Zorro story, Amazon’s show is still able to bring something new to the franchise
For the most part, Amazon’s Zorro show is an accurate interpretation of the classic hero, in that it keeps the biggest parts of the traditional formula, specifically the de la Vega character, the setting, the tone, and his reasons for being Zorro. Even so, Zorro is able to stand apart from other movie and TV adaptations due in large part to its change to his origin story and heavy incorporation of Native Americans. Letting Native American tribe members in on Zorro’s greatest secret honors the source material, while making characters like Nah-Lin upset with an outsider being Zorro brings something fresh to the table.
