The Legend of Zorro

The Pinkertons wanted Elena to divorce Alejandro so he would approach Count Armand without his protective mask, making him vulnerable to capture. They despised Zorro's vigilantism and collaborated with Armand to eliminate him. By coercing Elena under threat, they hoped to remove Zorro's protective identity and interfere with his mission.

Earlier, Alejandro loses his mask during a confrontation with McGivens, exposing his identity to Pinkerton agents.

The Knights of Aragon, led by Count Armand, are a secret European society that views the rising power of the United States as a threat. Their plan involves supplying nitroglycerin explosives to the Confederate army via Colonel Beauregard, aiming to destroy the Union and prevent America from becoming a dominant nation before it gains full strength.

Alejandro discovers a mysterious explosion near Armand's mansion early in the film.

Armand's scheme involves embedding nitroglycerin inside soap bars engraved with 'Orbis Unum.' These appear as ordinary merchandise in shipments but are actually explosive componentsdestined for the Confederate army. Zorro discovers the first bar in McGivens's cargo, revealing the connection between Armand's railroad plan and the weapons supply.

The soap bar discovery at the cove is the first real evidence of Armand's conspiracy.

Elena was coerced into divorcing Alejandro by the Pinkertons, but she never stopped loving him. When she learns Armand's true plan to supply explosives to destroy the Union and realizes she was manipulated, she chooses to help Zorro sabotage the conspiracy. Her love for Alejandro and her commitment to justice override her earlier separation.

Elena's divorce is clearly forced, and she shows discomfort during Armand's advances.

Elena cleverly disconnects the train car holding herself and Joaquin while Zorro battles Armand. This allows Joaquin to escape to the roof and then flip the track switch that diverts the train away from the California statehood ceremony. Elena then helps eliminate Ferroq and the explosives.

Elena demonstrates resourcefulness throughout the film, including when she first helps Zorro track the shipment.

Zorro defeats Armand in a climactic sword fight atop the train. He ties Armand to the train itself and escapes with Elena just before the train crashes into a rail pile, detonating the nitroglycerin. Armand dies in the explosion, ending the Knights of Aragon's leader.

The train carries all the nitroglycerin, making the crash inevitably explosive.

McGivens shoots Felipe at his church, but the priest survives because the bullet strikes the cross he wears around his neck. The cross absorbs the impact and deflects the bullet, saving his life. Felipe then arrives just in time to help Alejandro overpower McGivens.

Felipe's faith and religious iconography are emphasized throughout the film.

While Zorro battles Armand atop the train, Joaquin rides Tornado to the ceremony location and flips the track switch to divert the runaway train. This action prevents the explosive-laden train from reaching the governor and crowd, allowing California to become a state safely.

Joaquin has proven himself capable throughout the film, sneaking onto McGivens's cart and learning Zorro's skills.

Elena met Count Armand during her European travels, where he admired her. After divorcing Alejandro due to Pinkerton coercion, Elena sought comfort and companionship. Armand's charm and attention provided that, though she didn't know about his criminal identity as the Knights of Aragon leader.

At the party, Elena appears visibly uncomfortable when Alejandro sees them together.

At the film's conclusion, Alejandro tells Joaquin that Zorro's legacy will be a secret family heritage, implying the responsibility of being Zorro will pass to the next generation. Joaquin rides Tornado, Zorro's horse, symbolizing his potential future as the masked hero.

Joaquin has actively assisted Zorro throughout the film and proven his courage.

McGivens is killed when he confronts Zorro at the church after shooting Father Felipe. After Felipe survives the bullet thanks to his cross, he helps Alejandro overpower McGivens. The exact method of death isn't detailed, but McGivens is eliminated by Zorro and Felipe as retribution for his crimes.

McGivens has been a violent enforcer for Armand throughout the film.

The 1850 California statehood vote is the backdrop for the entire film. The Knights of Aragon want to destroy the Union before it gains strength, and timing their nitroglycerin attack during the statehood ceremony would maximize chaos. California becoming the 31st state represents the Union's growing power that the villains seek to prevent.

The film opens with California's pivotal vote and ends with the governor signing the statehood bill.