The mini-series remains faithful to the “Zorro” franchise while renewing it thanks to the singularity of a French humor served by a formidable cast. The second degree in the situations and the dialogues is a real treat.
France Télévisions – Culture Editorial
Published on 06/09/2024 15:52
Reading time: 3 min Jean-Dujardin plays Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego “Zorro” in the new series broadcast on Paramount + (PARAMOUNT)
The new adventures of Zorro are available in an eight-episode series starting September 6 on the Paramount streaming platform and by the end of the year on France Télévisions, which co-produced it. It is 1821, Don Diego de la Vega, played by Jean Dujardin, reconnects with his alter ego Zorro, whom he gave up twenty years ago. For good reason, his beloved city of Los Angeles is in a bad way. The help of the masked hero becomes essential when Don Diego finally inherits the office of mayor after the 48-year reign of his father, Don Alejandro (André Dussollier).
The city is in debt to the crooked businessman Don Emmanuel (Eric Elmosnino) who does not hesitate, in order to repay himself, to expropriate the “Indians”, an inappropriate name that Don Diego nevertheless constantly reminds him of. Thanks to Bernardo (Salvatore Ficarra), his faithful mute companion, Zorro is therefore back in town to the great displeasure of the Sergeant (Grégory Gadebois) whose grievances against the masked hero could take up several pages, they are so numerous.
So here the viewer is carried away by the efforts of Don Diego de la Vega and his double to bring running water to his city, collect taxes and contain the greed of Don Emmanuel while saving the couple he forms with Gabriella de la Vega (Audrey Dana). Their union is struggling and the appearance of the dark Zorro in Los Angeles does not leave Don Diego’s companion indifferent. Jean Dujardin is indeed sublime in the panoply of the masked horseman, just as in the skin of his alias, always elegant, but whose personality is obviously less striking.
With a superb cast, mostly French, the creators of the series, Benjamin Charbit and Noé Debré have gone all out on the “French touch”, or even a “Dujardin touch”. This addition to the legendary character that Disney made popular with its 1957 series is particularly tasty and scathing. Like Jean Dujardin in some of his legendary characters, we keep a smile on our faces watching the wanderings of Don Diego and Zorro who don’t miss a thing.
The exchanges, written in a variety of registers, are colorful. Between Don Diego and Don Emmanuel, we spin the metaphor of “Take me for a fool…” at each meeting. When it is the Sergeant’s turn to cross paths with Zorro or Don Diego, we find ourselves at the shrink’s, in the middle of therapy. This mischief in the dialogue takes a more sensual and romantic turn with Gabriella. As for the interactions with Bernardo who has nothing to envy James Bond’s Q (head of the research and development section at MI6), it is a festival of witticisms regardless of how they are expressed. One line (“spoiler alert”) already seems cult: “Neither whip nor to do”.
To the flavor of the dialogues, we must add the superb sets but especially the sumptuous choreography of the sword fight scenes to the sound of an original soundtrack with a millimeter rhythm. And it is not only Jean Dujardin who knows how to handle the sword well. With this Zorro directed by Emilie Noblet and Jean-Baptiste Saurel, the French land in “Los Angeles” (in Spanish in the text) and offer a program dominated by humor and a sense of self-mockery, obviously inherent in the frankness but taken to their paroxysm.
The new French recipe remains faithful to the Zorro franchise, whose success has never been denied by its various versions and adaptations. The series, which undeniably bears the mark of its time, winks at a multitude of societal phenomena: promotion of parity, society of the spectacle or even political authoritarianism which challenges today as much as in this part of Mexico aspiring to free itself from the Crown of Spain.
Table of Contents
The Legend of Zorro: A Comprehensive Guide
The legend of Zorro, created by Johnston McCulley, has been captivating audiences for centuries. The masked hero, known for his bravery, wit, and sword-fighting skills, has been adapted into various forms of media, including TV series, movies, and comics. In this article, we will delve into the history of Zorro, explore its adaptations, and discuss the latest iteration of the character.
The Original Zorro
The original Zorro, created by Johnston McCulley, was first introduced in 1919 in the novel ”The Curse of Capistrano.” The novel was later adapted into a movie, starring Douglas Fairbanks, which was released in 1920. The character’s popularity soared, and Zorro became a cultural icon.
Zorro in Television
One of the most iconic adaptations of Zorro was the 1957 Disney TV series, starring Guy Williams as the masked hero. The series was a huge success, running for two seasons and 78 episodes [3[3[3[3[3[3[3[3]. The show’s popularity led to the creation of various merchandise, including toys, comics, and books.
The New Series
The latest adaptation of Zorro is an eight-episode series, starring Jean Dujardin as Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego,
the new adventures of zorro (1997 watch online)
The New Adventures of Zorro: A Fresh Take on the Beloved Franchise
The iconic character of Zorro is back, and this time, he’s bringing a dash of French humor to the table. The new mini-series, starring Jean Dujardin as Don Diego de la Vega and his alter ego Zorro, is a refreshing take on the classic franchise. With a formidable cast, including Audrey Dana, Salvatore Ficarra, and André Dussollier, this eight-episode series is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
A Faithful yet Modern Adaptation
The series remains faithful to the spirit of Zorro while injecting a modern twist, thanks to the unique French humor