As one of Disney's first regular TV series, and because of the show's film-like quality, it's easy to see why this particular incarnation of the Spanish Robin Hood has found a place in our culture over the previous movie and serial-based versions. Guy Williams is stunning as a dashing Don Diego de la Vega who puts on the air of a pacifistic and a scholar by day, and that of a skilled swordsman by night, while Gene Sheldon plays off of Williams as the Fox's sidekick expertly.
When the show starts, Diego is called back from his studies in Spain at a prestigious military school when he learns that the small township of Los Angeles has been held firm under the thumb of a cruel Commandante, Captain Monasario (Britt Lomond). Diego decides that the best way to subvert the tyrannical reign of this military man is to appear to pose no kind of threat, but secretly fight the injustice at night. Meanwhile, his friend and servant, the mute Bernardo (Sheldon) decides to change his role up some as well by feigning deafness in order to become an extra set of ears for Diego/Zorro. By appearing both deaf and mute, most people who would normally shut up in mixed company, tend to have loose lips around Bernardo.
There are several other main characters found throughout the series. Diego's father, Alejandro (George J. Lewis) is one of the most respected land owners in the area, but he ends up being quite disappointed in his son when he finds he prefers to spend his days with his nose in a book instead of on his feet fighting. The local military garrison also features the rather large Sergeant Garcia (Henry Calvin), who is second in command to Captain Monasario and ends up being acting Commandante every time the township loses its leader (which tends to happen a lot). Garcia is mostly a form of comedic relief as his large stature and simple-minded nature ends up making him the butt of many jokes (especially those played by Zorro).
The first third of the season focuses on Diego/Zorro's fight against the clever Monasario, but this initial threat against his friends isn't the biggest fight Zorro faces this season. No sooner is Monasario removed from power than a secret criminal organization begins to install itself in the local government (actually the government of all of California). Led by a man who calls himself The Eagle (Charles Korvin), the local Magistrate (Vinon Hayworth) works a series of plots that could lead to the entire territory being sold to another country.
What I found really amazing about the show is the diversity. Not only does it provide a great blend of action, drama and comedy, but it even throws in some musical elements in a truly Disney fashion. There are several times when Williams or Calvin (who was apparently an opera singer before his role as Garcia) pick up a guitar and sing a little song. Williams' music is often a love song, while Calvin often belts out a song in the local tavern with a mug in his hand.
Zorro: The First Complete Season comes with quite a lot of extras for those existing fans who remember the show when it was first on. Not only does it come with a Walt Disney Treasures certificate of authenticity, pin and lithograph, but the extra features on the DVDs themselves are quite nice. The First Complete Season contains a featurette about the origination of Zorro as well as an introduction by film historian Leonard Maltin. I also enjoyed the section taken from the Disneyland Fourth Anniversary Special that introduces Disney's Zorro to the world, much to Mouseketeer Moochie's (Kevin Corcoran) insistence. Lastly, this boxed set features a two-part storyline that spanned two one-hour episodes that aired after the series' conclusion as part of "Walt Disney Presents." In this storyline, Zorro faces off against a powerful bandito who has come from Mexico to take advantage of an area that hasn't already heard of his name. This new enemy is dubbed El Cuchillo and is played by Gilbert Roland.
Like I said at the beginning of this review, I was surprised by how much I liked the show on it's own merit, not just as a good look into television history. Zorro really feels like a show that could have been made today. Granted, it would have been shown in color, but the black and white nature of the show really adds a lot of character and just feels right. Obviously, this particular Walt Disney Treasures release is geared towards those who watched the show as kids (either when it originally aired or during its long syndication run), but it can also easily capture the hearts and minds of new viewers and should be a great show to view with the kids or grandkids of those who grew up on Zorro.
