The Mask of Zorro is an action-adventure movie released in 1998, directed by Martin Campbell and produced by Steven Spielberg. It stars Antonio Banderas as the bandit Alejandro Murrieta and Anthony Hopkins as the older, retired Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega.
The film begins in 1821, during the Mexican War of Independence, where Don Diego de la Vega, also known as Zorro, is fighting against the Spanish rulers of Alta California. However, he is betrayed by his friend Don Rafael Montero, who captures him and imprisons him for 20 years. During his imprisonment, Diego learns that his wife has died and his daughter, Elena, has been raised by Montero as his own.
After his release, Diego discovers that Montero is planning to buy California and sell it to France, as part of a plot to gain power and wealth. At the same time, he meets Alejandro, a bandit who is seeking revenge against Montero for killing his brother. Diego decides to train Alejandro as the new Zorro, to help him defeat Montero and save California.
Together, Alejandro and Diego compete in a series of trials to improve Alejandro's skills and prepare him to become the new Zorro. In the meantime, Montero discovers that Elena is actually Diego's daughter and plans to use her to further his political ambitions.
The climax of the film takes place at Montero's hacienda, where Alejandro and Diego confront Montero and his men. In a spectacular sword fight, Zorro defeats Montero, saves Elena, and frees California from Spanish tyranny.
The Mask of Zorro was a commercial success and received positive reviews for its action sequences, humor, and performances by Banderas, Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones (who played Elena). It was followed by a sequel, The Legend of Zorro, released in 2005.
