The Legend of Zorro, released in theaters on October 28, 2005, sweeps audiences back to the dust and drama of California’s formative years, mixing swashbuckling spectacle and heartfelt domestic conflict. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones return as the iconic duo Alejandro and Elena De La Vega from 1998’s hit The Mask of Zorro, whose tumultuous marriage and masked heroics anchor a story as much about family as vigilante justice.
The film picks up in 1850, with California’s quest for statehood threatened by secret societies and sinister plots. Alejandro, still moonlighting as Zorro, puts duty before home, straining his marriage to Elena, who desperately wants a normal life for their son Joaquin.
Unbeknownst to Alejandro, Pinkerton agents blackmail Elena into divorcing him and seducing the scheming Count Armand (Rufus Sewell) to unearth a plot that could derail California’s future.
Alejandro spirals in guilt and confusion—his beloved mask now a wedge between himself and those he loves.
Joaquin, rebellious and clever, begins to piece together his father’s secret, stoking generational tension as Alejandro hides the truth to protect his family.
The threat grows when Armand’s Knights of Aragon exploit their vineyard’s soap export for deadly nitroglycerin—a plan destined to arm the Confederacy and upend America’s fledgling growth.
What follows is a breakneck race: Alejandro, Elena, and Joaquin must battle train-robbing bandits, church shootouts, and venomous conspirators to halt the deadly cargo before it reaches Washington, D.C.
Director Martin Campbell orchestrates thunderous set pieces—a careening chase atop a nitro-laden train, sword duels with fate in the balance—while weaving in comic touches and smart character beats.
The De La Vegas fight for reunification as much as California’s future, rebuffing villainy with bravado and the stubborn love of a family battered but never broken.
Antonio Banderas in The Legend of Zorro (Photo/Sony Pictures)
Reception for The Legend of Zorro
The Legend of Zorro grossed $16.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $142.4 million worldwide.
Legacy
The Legend of Zorro divided critics upon release: some missed the more elegant pacing of its predecessor, while others praised its high-energy style and the undeniable chemistry of the leads.
Banderas maintains Zorro’s bold charm and weary heart, while Zeta-Jones brings strength, wit, and emotional authenticity.
The film’s legacy lies in its willingness to expand Zorro’s mythology; it’s a rare action sequel that dares to place family and identity front and center. The train sequence and soap-nitroglycerin plot are now cult favorites, while its depiction of California’s origin resonates for viewers intrigued by superhero stories with genuine historical stakes.
The Legend of Zorro endures as a robust mix of romance, intrigue, and action—a reminder that true heroism means fighting not just for the future, but for those who make it worth saving.
