Zorro, ostrze szpady (1981) Online

It is surprising to me that more people don't know about this picture, since Zorro the Gay Blade is one of the great funny movies of all time. It is certainly George Hamilton's most memorable movie, an over-the-top spoof that never takes itself too seriously. This is NOT Jerry Lewis or the Three Stooges, but an entertaining social commentary written and performed as slapstick. Of course they do all of it firmly tongue-in-cheek.

It does seem that a few people just don't get it. Well, to each his own. But if you liked Hamilton's Love at First Bite or most of the work of Mel Brooks, then this movie is for you. Personally, it reminds me of Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and the Austin Powers movies. The writing is witty and the one liners are things you will remember and repeat for years. If you haven't seen this one, then you don't know what you are missing.

Say what you will about "Zorro, the Gay Blade." It's a silly send-up to the old cinematic standard of Zorro, made before our politically correct times. Sissy jokes aside, it is enjoyable. Granted, a lot of performances are over the top, particularly Ron Liebman's top-volume Alcalde, but quite a bit of the dialogue can still get a smile. It's worth a look and a laugh or two!

You have to have a gift for the kind of cocksure buffoonery that's unleashed in "Zorro, the Gay Blade." But you also have to have a special kind of gift to enjoy how wild and cockeyed it can be. Hal Dresner and the rest of the writing team let loose with every conceivable bit of absurdity surrounding the Zorro legend, and succeeded in giving what looks to be George Hamilton's most engaging work. It was Hamilton's talk show with his ex-wife Alana that made me trust his essential good will. He may have been a cheating, good-time charlie to Alana, but it's just this willingness to let her at him over his own personal foibles that won me over. It's there in spades in "Zorro the Gay Blade." Hamilton's not afraid to go all out, playing the fool. He grins, and you can't help but grin back. His tan may be legendary, but it's that blinding-pearl-white smile that equals it. It's what carries his performance; I haven't seen a smirk this sardonic, since John William Sublett flashed his in the number "Shine" from "The Cabin In The Sky." And Hamilton's mugging and playfulness is as masterful as Cary Grant's was in "Gunga Din." It isn't only talented actresses who get wasted in Hollywood. Hamilton is an example of the actors who watched opportunities dry up, their best years flit away, and obscurity meet them head-on in their old age. It was nice seeing him on the Halloween edition of "Talk Soup;" the face may be a little jowly, and his hair grayer, but that tan is still there, and so is that trademark wantonness. I hope it never dies.

It would not have been very good for Hamilton to be playing at the height of his comic talents without a supporting cast meeting him jab for jab. There are some who think Ron Leibman's performance is too much, but I'm not among them. Leibman knew he would have to chew a lot of scenery to make the humor built into his role work; it takes a very astute actor to know when overacting, overdoing is the right pitch at which to carry a scene or a part. And I don't think Leibman ever misjudges the moment. I can remember myself enthralled over Nehemiah Persoff's El Presidente on one episode of "Gilligan's Island," and Leibman's performance matches it, accent for accent, outburst for outburst. It'll be a long time before I forget either.

I've always thought Brenda Vaccaro a very funny actress. It's hard to find actresses whose vibe puts you in a happy mood. She's always reminded me of a primmer Susan Tyrell with her button eyes, sharp profile (the prim part), and extra husky voice (the Tyrell part). As the Alcalde's wife, Vaccaro has some smart lines, and you wish director Peter Medak had let her go as far as Leibman had in his role. And she seems wrong for the part that requires her to be vain, self-absorbed, and sex-starved. With Vaccaro, you get the feeling that the woman she plays would be aware of how empty her existence was; how to resolve her sexual frustrations (She's accorded her husband's favor twelve times a year; not once every month, but twelve times in one night, and then nothing for the rest of the year.); how to pool her resources and become a foxy champion of the downtrodden herself.

The movie is full of little surprises from the gap in Lauren Hutton's front teeth (It's like an emblem of the absurdity this movie loves.) to Donovan Scott's shaggy-dog costume (or was he a bear?) to Hamilton's alter-ego, Don Diego's brother Ramon who throws off his Spanish heritage for a freer, more suitable, more "English" estate as Bunny Wiglesworth (A name with a built-in come-on, if ever there were one). The fact that Ramon is better at wielding a whip than a sword points to how knowing the writers are; it's things like this that make you beam at what Dresner and Bob Randall and others had cooked up. Their efforts returned the word "gay" to what it used to mean, and gave its new meaning, well, new meaning. It's undiluted joviality, and even that doesn't cover it.

On the assumption that you are considering renting Zorro, I think ratings and reviews should reflect the current day, not nostalgia or memory. I've seen "Zorro: The Gay Blade recently" and was totally floored. It's flat-out hilarious and hasn't aged a day.

The film is a parody of Zorro and makes fun of some of the over-seriousness of that long ago age when Zorro was invented. But at the same time, like a good parody should ("Austin Powers") it has its own theme, its own compelling characters and plot. Nothing blows up, but swordfighting doesn't need a $100m budget to be fascinating. Nor does a parody. It's wacky but accessible to people who don't like "cult films". Don't expect a romance.

If you liked Austin Powers, definitely get this film. It's an intelligent and hilarious parody of the Zorro concept that yet is serious enough that we care what happens to the character. In getting this balance right, it's much like the first Austin Powers film.

Who should see this movie:

-- Everyone who's heard of Zorro and won't mind a little dose

(not a large dose) of wacky.

-- Arty film types who won't find any compelling film drama here,

but you owe it to yourself to explore the Zorro mystique.

I'll give "Zorro, the Gay Blade" a surprisingly timeless 9 out of 10.

Another great "Zorro" movie that has George Hamilton playing dual roles. The first role, being the suave Don Diego and the second role being the ummmmm.......not so straight Bunny (Diego's twin brother). After a leg injury to Diego it is up to Bunny to keep the peace. A hilarious parody/action-adventure/comedy that works because of quite possibly George Hamilton's greatest performance and a super supporting cast which includes the priceless Ron Leibman, Brenda Vaccaro and Lauren Hutton. Definitely unique to other "Zorro" films. 4 stars out of 5.

This was hysterical. I only just saw it for the first time the other day. I never heard of it until a friend of mine spoke about it. It's slapstick comedy at it's best. You can't find comedies like this anymore. I think the name says it all about it's humorous nature. Picture Zorro shouting one-liners and then picture him being gay. It's worth the $1.99 it costs to rent it at Blockbuster. It goes all out with stereotypes as well. The crowd listening to Esteban speaking to them, all wearing sombreros. Esteban saying he is a man of the "Peeples". It's great for a Sunday afternoon viewing.

i saw this when i was 11 yrs old and it was one of the first videos i had ever watched.it has remained one of the funniest comedies i have ever seen, every scene is funny on so many levels. George Hamilton is most definitely a genius in it, Brenda Vaccaro and Rob Leibman are the funniest comedy actors i have ever seen. if you get the opportunity, please watch it, for all the family and worth a Saturday or Sunday afternoon watch. Guaranteed to cheer you up if your feeling low. The fact that it is so over the top makes it all the more enjoyable. I cannot wait for the day that i can show this to my kids and have them laugh as hard as i did when i was there age.

This movie is a completely funny spoof of the Zorro legend - complete with sword fights, injustice, and cross dressing. There are many small innuendos, lines, and moments that the first time viewer may miss, so be sure to watch it again - also look for the reactions of the lesser characters. George Hamilton shows his silly side and his ability for self-mockery - which is totally worth watching! The supporting cast are all great veteran character actors - people you couldn't name, but whose face you recognize. Paco, who plays George's mute servant, is priceless. It's definitely included in my "80's Comedies Worth Owning" list.

The highly underrated "Zorro, the Gay Blade" does what, unfortunately, a lot of comedies don't: It entertains. George Hamilton is perfect in his duel roles as the long-absent son of the legendary Zorro and his identical twin, who has joined the British navy and flaunts his effeminate lifestyle. I don't understand why this movie gets such a low rating on IMDb. It may not be classic cinema destined for a spot in the Smithsonian, but it delivers what it promises: Lots of laughs. Sure, the characters are stereotypes, many of the scenes are over the top and the plot is perhaps a bit uneven. But in a farce, there's nothing wrong with that, and that is what this movie is. Ron Leibman as the corrupt alcalte and Brenda Vaccaro as his long-suffering wife add to the film with their wonderful over-acting. The movie has a good comic pace and even manages to finish on a warm note. Sure, it isn't perfect, but not many movie comedies can manage to accomplish what it should: This one does.

I have seen "Zorro the Gay Blade" several times since it was released in the 1980s, and I get something new from it each time. I have liked all the Zorro films, and this comic spoof is yet another "twist" on the original Zorro plot.

My favorite part of "Zorro the Gay Blade" is the masked ball, at which the Alcalde hopes to catch Zorro, only to have all his male guests arrive in Zorro costumes. The result is a dizzying "house of mirrors" effect as the Alcalde looks from one "Zorro" to another around the room and then finds himself unable to identify and arrest the "real" Zorro.

Another favorite part is the soundtrack, taken from Max Steiner's compositions for the soundtrack of "Don Juan" (which starred Errol Flynn in the 1940s) and "The Danzas Fantasticas," some Spanish classical music. Unfortunately, Steiner's music is unpublished; I do hope it will be published some day so that fans of Spanish-style music can enjoy playing it.

I would recommend the "Zorro" series by Disney and all other movies about Zorro. I also would recommend "Don Juan" (starring Errol Flynn) and "Don Juan DeMarco" (starring Johnny Depp and the late Marlon Brando).

When I saw it in 1982 I thought it was one of the worst movies ever made. Over the years it has become one of my favorites. Its dialogue and Hamilton's one liners. It is a Z not a two, the peeples, it is better to be poor than to dress poorly, etc. There are so many subtle comments and in jokes you need to watch it many times to pick them all up.

This is a great movie that keeps you laughing the more you see it. The interplay between Ron Liebman (Esteban) and George Hamilton (both Zorros) is the perfect comedic match. Excellent cast and great writing combine to a true cult classic. Lauren Hutton provides a tolerable love interest that possesses a feminist liberal touch to her character. This is overshadowed by the comedic confusion created by Liebman and Hamilton. Liebman is outstanding as the overly obsessed Captain Esteban for his nemesis Zorro. Brenda Vaccaro plays Florinda, Esteban's devoted buy love starved wife, who of course, has secret desires for Hamilton that adds spice to the interplay between Liebman and Hamilton. Must see, 5 stars out of 5.

I have to admit that I don't the Zorro series except for "Zorro, the Gay Blade" and "Mask of Zorro" (and Isabel Allende's novel portraying the origins of the character). You gotta love the former movie. Basically a parody of the genre, they pretty much get as silly as they want. I, for one, am always going to remember George Hamilton as Zorro and Dracula (from "Love at First Bite"). And if I may say so, Lauren Hutton is quite sexy here! So, if you like totally zany nonsense humor, then this is the movie for you. Even though I've only seen two movies directed by Peter Medak (this one and his satire "The Ruling Class"), I like them both and recommend them very much. Muy bien! Also starring Ron Leibman and Brenda Vaccaro.

Tyrone Power in The Mark of Zorro plays a foppish character designed to throw off suspicion that he is, in fact, the legendary Zorro. George Hamilton in an Oscar-worthy performance (if they gave an award for comedy - which they don't!) plays Zorro who is injured and has to rely on his twin brother to stand in. George Hamilton as Bunny Wigglesworth is a riot. He is flamboyantly gay and wears lemon, plum, and scarlet instead of Zorro Black. He also likes to use a whip, which is not entirely out of character for Zorro, as he is as adept with the tail as he is with the foil. This is an entertaining farce that Zorro fans, Hamilton fans and others will enjoy. An excellent supporting cast includes Lauren Hutton, Brenda Vaccaro, and Ron Leibman.

George Hamilton is very funny, both as the "serious" twin and his outrageous brother. The script is witty and no more idiotic than any other Zorro movie. The score is excellent, stirring in the chase and fight scenes, appropriately dreamy in the tender moments. I believe that the main theme is lifted from a classical composition and adapted for the movie. This is one of those movies where a lot of the pleasure comes from the second rank of actors, like Ron Liebman and Brenda Vacarro as the alcalde and his dissatisfied wife. No one movie is going to appeal to everyone or at every time, but this is a good way to spend a couple of hours in light entertainment without having your intelligence or your taste insulted.

This was one of the first movies we rented right after we got our VHS player back in 1983, and to this day it is still a family favorite. I will never tire of watching this movie. George Hamilton does an outstanding job as the smooth-talking Don Diego Vega and as the flighty Bunny Wigglesworth, and the rest of the cast is just priceless. This movie is fun from beginning to end. For anyone who wants a great laugh, this is definitely a must see.

I really do consider this the best of all Zorro's, mainly because it is so FUNNY!!!! I do want to take a moment to mention to any gay person out there who considers this a negative stereotype....GET OVER IT!!!! It's fun!!! And, how many queers do you know who really DO act that way?? I know lots...and I'm a gay man too!! There are only 2 negatives I can mention: 1. Lauren Hutton is a TERRIBLE actor and not that pretty....her role is forgettable. 2. Why not a love-interest for Bunny????? OH, I forgot, that was before "Making Love", when men couldn't love men on screen! The music is absolutely WONDERFUL....although, I'm surprised to learn it's a MONO soundtrack! Most of the music was from Joachim Turina's "Danses Fantasikas", which persuaded me to go buy a recording of that work, but, the love theme, which is BEAUTIFUL, and makes me cry, is not Turina's work. I wish they would have produced a CD soundtrack recording of the music from this movie...interspersed with quotes like: "2 bits, 4 bits, 6 bits a peso, all for Zorro, stand up and say so!" and "the ships in the field...the little ba-ba-bas", etc.

GREAT fun and a timeless classic!!

31. ZORRO: The Gay Blade (comedy, 1981) When Major Don Diego dies his evil police commissioner Esteban (Ron Liebman) assumes his post. Before his death, Don Diego sent his son a casket containing the costume of 'El Zorro', a role he invented to fight injustice. Following in his father's 'boots' the new Zorro (George Hamilton) takes over. Injured whilst fighting Estebans' men, Zorro sends for his twin brother Ramon (George Hamilton again). There is just one problem, this new 'Zorro' is gay.

Critique: Send-up spoof of the legendary Zorro character was George Hamilton's follow-up to his delirious Count Dracula in 'Love at First Bite' (1979). A performance that revealed a hidden comic talent. Playing another fictional role, his Zorro is a treat to watch. When we first see Zorro he is the dashing, demeanor figure we've all come to know. But when 'Ramon' takes over, the fun starts.

It's fun to see him don a whip instead of the famous sword, mixing his heavy Spanish-accent with a gay lisp, and dress in an assortment of colorful get-ups ("he was dressed like a big banana"). Though Ron Liebman's 'Esteban' is sometimes off-putting with his overacting, its still fun for the whole family.

QUOTE: Zorro: "That's right, Zorro is back! To defend the defenseless! Befriend the friendless! And to defeat. . .the 'defeatless'."

OK, if you ain't laughing at the jokes in this flick then you just don't need to watch comedies. We screened this at school and everyone, no matter how young or old, was cracking up. Hamilton was good but the Al Cade was great! He had all the best lines and that scene with the masquerade ball is priceless. Also, the execution drummers who didn't know when to quit, the scene Bunny makes his first appearance and all the other Dons are describing what he's wearing; "He was wearing green signor." Al Cade; "You mean green like a Lime?" Don Francisco: "No, green like the avocado"

Also, the end battle and the Al Cade and a few guards are surrounded by the rebelling peasants, he immediately orders the peasants to drop their weapons and that they are under arrest, there is like a second beat and the guards turn and arrest the Al Cade instead. Unexpected funny bits like that are what made this movie enjoyable for me and if you have an ounce of a sense of humor, you will enjoy it too.

There is so much more to this movie and I see something new every time I see it. Worth watching, especially as a double bill with "Love at First Bite"

One of my favorite movies of all time. I never cared for George Hamilton who played boring playboys until this movie where he had fun with the role. When he showed up at the masked ball as Margareta Wigglesworth, I almost fell on the floor laughing.

Later, the Alcalda goes to the bar and orders a drink for Margareta. The bartender replies '4 margaritas'.

My favorite line was at the end when the two brothers were on horseback saying their goodbyes and Bunny told his brother that Lauren Hutton was in love with him and 'would do anything for the man she loved' His brother said 'She said that?' Bunny replies 'Said it, she almost sang it'.

I've never been a big fan of the Zorro films, or the TV series for that matter, but I loved this movie. Zorro, the masked avenger, takes up for the downtrodden peasantry being exploited by the evil alcalde (played with delicious maliciousness by Ron Leibman). When the Zorro character injures his ankle and is unable to wreak havoc on the oppressors, his twin brother Ramon appears on the scene to take over where Zorro has left off, with a couple of slight differences. Ramon has joined the British Navy and changed his name to Bunny Wigglesworth (and all that the name implies), and he uses a whip instead of a sword to smite his enemies. Oh, and he's a snappy dresser as well--instead of a boring black cape and hat, he wears color coordinated outfits--purple, green, yellow, orange. A wonderful supporting cast (Brenda Vaccaro and Lauren Hutton) and witty dialogue make this a very enjoyable romp. It is pure fluff, but very funny and worth watching. George Hamilton is wonderful as he skewers the Zorro legend and his own lady-killer persona as well.

Zorro, the Gay Blade is one of trippiest movies ever. It obviously was made on the heels of the massive box office success of George Hamilton's comedic vampire movie Love at First Bite. They had a big success with Hamilton playing Dracula, why not move onto another comedic version of an iconic character? And thus, we get Zorro, the Gay Blade! George Hamilton is hilarious in his dual role as Don Diego de la Vega and his flamboyant gay twin brother Bunny Wigglesworth (one of the great camp character names ever).

Lauren Hutton gives a cool performance too as Zorro's leading lady. She's not as good as Susan Saint James in Love at First Bite. But we couldn't expect comedic lighting to strike twice. Since Love at First Bite was good but one of those films that its success is more of a fluke than anything else. It's one of those films that shouldn't have worked but amazingly did. Ala films like The Blues Brothers, Meatballs and Smokey and the Bandit.

Zorro, the Gay Blade is one of those off the wall flawed comedies that belong alongside other late night comedy classics like Jekyll and Hyde Together Again starring the amazing Mark Blankfield.

Also, Ron Liebman as Esteban, Zorro's nemesis, is hilarious here as is Brenda Vaccaro as Florinda, Esteban's mondo sexually frustrated wife.

Not the greatest comedy ever captured on celluloid. But far superior to most at your local mutliplex, amigo.

One of George Hamilton's best comic roles. It is hilarious, a very campy send-up of Zorro movies. Zorro is played as a drag queen giving the classic a very different effect. George Hamilton plays Don Diego and his brother Bunny Wigglesworth, a British naval officer who arrives for a visit and who takes up the cape and sword of Zorro to help out his injured brother.

All the reviews I read said this was "hilarious" and just as entertaining as George Hamilton's earlier hit, "Love At First Bite" in which he played Dracula.

I found it not even remotely close: "Love At First Bite" was far, far better than "Zorro" here. In fact, thanks to Ron Leibman's constant shouting, this film was more annoying than it was funny.

Hamilton does provide laughs, no doubt about it, many of them simply with his accent ("pipples" instead of "peoples") but overall, this isn't what it's cracked up to be, especially when compared to "Love At First Bite."

I just finished another of many viewings of this superb comedy. Everything is virtually perfect: the script; the actors and their performances; the cinematography; the various comedic zingers. Hamilton's dual role is a masterpiece of comedic acting, as is Liebman's over-the-top and subtle portrayals of the sexually repressed martinet Esteban. Hutton is more than gorgeous; she presents the ideal of liberated femininity and power. The actors are having a contagiously great time with this, and that alone is worth the viewing.

I do not see a single wrong move in the film. Great farce is not easy to do, and this is an example that should be appreciated on its own terms and not measured against other genres.