Getting to the point

Published: Monday, July 20, 1998

Monday, July 20, 1998

FILM: Suave serenading and swift swordfighting

keep Antonio Banderas on his toes in

'The Mask of Zorro'

By Lonnie Harris

Daily Bruin Staff

As Antonio Banderas nervously lights up a cigarette, he glances around the room, making sure that no avid non-smokers are offended by this decidedly controversial action.

"Just for the sake of the anti-tobacco league, I have to tell you that I'm trying to quit," Banderas said with a laugh.

Perhaps the actor will be forgiven for this one vice, having every reason to be a little on edge these days. Banderas is doing publicity for his new film, "The Mask of Zorro," the star's biggest and most important American role to date. For the first time, the Spanish heartthrob is being asked not to romance a better-known leading lady or sling guns in a small, independent feature. Rather, TriStar is counting on the versatile actor's star power to give "Zorro" the jolt needed to compete in the the over-stocked Hollywood summer film market.

It is an admittedly tough sell. This summer especially has been filled with big action films, laced with explosive stunt sequences and lavish special effects. "Zorro's" sensibilities are quite different and more comparable to Errol Flynn adventures than Jerry Bruckheimer productions.

The film follows Mexican hero Zorro, who was originally a creation of pulp novelists in the 1920s. Initially, Zorro is the alter-ego of the wealthy and influential Don Diego de la Vega, played by Anthony Hopkins. Eventually, de la Vega becomes too old to continue his quest against those who would endanger the lives of the citizens of Alta, California, forcing him to train a new Zorro, played by Banderas.

For both Banderas and Hopkins, "Zorro" represents a significant change from the norm. It will mark one of Banderas' first forays into true action movies, despite the immense 51 films to his credit produced in both his native Spain and America.

"Many of the movies I have made (in America) aren't even possible in Spain," Banderas said. "Just because of the budget, big action movies can only come from America, period."

All of this put together makes "The Mask of Zorro" a big gamble for Banderas, but he is not the only one hoping for a big opening for the film in the coming weeks.

The producers are counting on audiences enjoying the film's throwback attitude, even though both producers Laurie MacDonald and Walter Parkes were both involved in last summer's special effects-laden "Men In Black." They see the film as a refreshing departure from the intense, explosive summer shoot-em-up movies.

"I think this movie actually seems fresh," co-producer Laurie MacDonald said. "There have been so many effects movies, but there really hasn't been this kind of movie in a long time."

Whether or not savvy American audiences will be willing to accept a film with few special effects remains to be seen, but MacDonald is convinced that children especially will enjoy "Zorro's" traditional action.

"There are moments, especially after finishing 'Men In Black' when I was thinking 'Is this the most old fashioned movie in the world?'" MacDonald said. "(Until I saw the finished film), I wasn't sure kids were going to relate to it."

The hope now is that children will be wowed by the film's visual flair and sword-fighting sequences, arranged by swordmaster and choreographer Robert Anderson, who has worked on other films like "The Princess Bride" and "The Empire Strikes Back."

Certainly, the casting is unique for a film appealing to children. How often can Sir Anthony Hopkins be found in a movie that kids enjoy, let alone in a role requiring narrow escapes, fist fighting and extensive sword play? Hopkins took the role as a break from his usual dramatic parts.

"It was fun, a chance to cut loose," Hopkins said. "Kind of a break from 'Remains of the Day,' where I mainly stand around and ask, 'More tea, sir?'

This sort of enthusiasm was necessary on the set, as "Zorro" was shot almost entirely in Mexico in scorching heat. Though the temperature often made shooting action scenes tiresome for the actors, it gave the movie a more authentic look.

"Shooting the movie in Mexico was a big plus for us,"Banderas said. "The architecture, the people, the culture, the folklore - everything that surrounded the production supported the idea of Zorro."

The only question remaining then is whether or not American audiences will also support the idea of Zorro. In the great box office battle between romantic swashbucklers and huge flaming asteroids, only the public can declare a champion.

Antonio Banderas plays masked hero Alejandro Murieta in "The Mask of Zorro."

(Above) Alejandro Murieta (Antonio Banderas) and Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) embrace during a dance.

(Right) Banderas plays an outlaw-turned-hero in "The Mask of Zorro."