Year: 1975
Runtime: 120 mins
Language: Italian
Director: Duccio Tessari
Zorro returns as a newly appointed governor discovers his province ruled by the corrupt Colonel Huerta. To avoid becoming Huerta’s target, he feigns weakness and indecision, convincing the colonel he poses no danger. In secret he dons the Zorro mask, allying with monk Francisco and aristocrat Hortensia to battle Huerta’s forces and restore justice.
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On the eve of his return to Spain from Alta California, the mysterious mercenary Diego [Alain Delon] meets his old friend Miguel Vega de la Serna [Marino Masé], who is about to take up the governorship of Nueva Aragón. Diego’s uncle Don Fernando has died in a malaria-free region, and the region has fallen under the dictatorial and unscrupulous Colonel Huerta [Stanley Baker]. Diego warns Miguel that Nueva Aragón is ruled by greed and hatred; later that very evening, Miguel is assassinated by Huerta’s underlings. Diego vows to avenge Miguel by taking his place, but not before a dying Miguel makes Diego swear
“the new governor will never kill”.
As Colonel Huerta asks the local council to appoint him both military and civil governor of Nueva Aragón, Diego arrives in disguise as de la Serna. While lulling Huerta’s fears by pretending to be a useless fop, Diego learns that Huerta is a cruel despot, as well as a dangerous swordsman.
With Joaquín [Enzo Cerusico], Miguel’s devoted mute servant, and aided by Assassin, the late Don Fernando’s Great Dane, Diego goes among the people and learns how miserable and afraid they are: the innocent are punished for speaking the truth, while the guilty, who cheat unmercifully, are labelled as “respectable” citizens.
Inspired by street urchin Chico’s tales of Zorro, a freedom-loving fox spirit, Diego creates his own black-garbed alter ego and launches a campaign for justice with a lively, action-packed marketplace brawl. Outwitting Huerta and his men time and again, Diego finally stages his own kidnapping (as the region’s governor and as Zorro), both to free wrongly held prisoners and to trick Colonel Huerta into thinking both are now dead.
Huerta, feeling himself safe at last, forces aristocrat Hortensia Polido [Ottavia Piccolo] to the marriage altar. He shoots Brother Francisco [Giampiero Albertini] when the monk leads protesters to the church steps, just as Zorro reappears. Brother Francisco’s murder finally frees Diego from his vow to Miguel, leaving Zorro free to engage Huerta in an action-packed sword duel-to-the-death, which he wins after a lengthy battle.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:06
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Charismatic masked heroes fight tyranny with daring action and clever wit.If you enjoyed the thrilling action and clever heroics of Zorro, discover more movies featuring charismatic masked vigilantes fighting for justice. This collection highlights similar swashbuckling adventures and tales of heroic rebellion against tyranny.
The narrative centers on a protagonist who creates an alternate, often more flamboyant, identity to oppose a powerful antagonist. The story unfolds through a series of escalating confrontations, daring rescues, and strategic battles of wits, culminating in a public showdown that restores order.
These movies are grouped by their core premise of a disguised hero righting wrongs, combining high-energy action with a strong moral compass. They share a tone of hopeful defiance and a focus on stylized combat and clever plots over grim realism.
Protagonists who feign weakness to outsmart and overthrow oppressive rulers.For viewers who liked the clever strategy in Zorro where the hero pretends to be weak, this list features similar movies about protagonists using cunning deception and secret plans to defeat a more powerful foe.
The plot follows a character who, facing overwhelming force, chooses subterfuge over direct confrontation. They perform an elaborate ruse of incompetence or cowardice, allowing them to operate secretly and gather allies. The story builds towards a moment of revelation where the protagonist dramatically sheds their disguise to unleash their prepared forces.
These films are united by the central theme of intelligence triumphing over brute force through strategic acting. They create a unique, tense atmosphere from the constant risk of the hero's cover being blown and the intellectual satisfaction of a well-executed long con.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Zorro in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Zorro is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Zorro with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Zorro. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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