Mark of Zorro, The (1940)

[bunniefuu]

Fair seat, bad hands,
mount not sufficiently schooled.

Disqualified.

Here's the California c*ck.
Ten pesos he clears 'em all.

Cleanly? Taken.

Grow wings, my friend.

Ten pesos, if you please.

Maybe you've forgotten that in
California they use horses for cradles.

- Well done, senor.
- And all I did was sit on his back.

Oh, three carrots after
his oats tonight, Manuel.

- You go to an affair of the court, senor?
- No, of the heart.

- Something is wrong.
- The face, man. The face.

Why the fine feathers?

A senorita who'd put St Anthony
on the griddle. We're to meet...

Have you forgotten that you cross swords
with Lieutenant Cortez at three o'clock?

Santa Maria! It slipped my mind.

Why do I have to meet every
swordsman in Madrid?

Everyone enjoys a certain amount of fighting,
but why does everyone pick on me?

It's become a distinction to
assail a California c*ck.

You pink them slightly in the arm and
shoulder and they boast of having met you.

Cadet Vega, the commandant wishes
to see you in his office at once.

Good. You see, I can't possibly fight the
fellow now. Explain that to him, will you?

But tell him I'll meet him tomorrow.

Senores, your attention, please.

I'm buying wine for all.

Come on, come on. It's your
last chance to fill up on me.

Last chance? What do you mean?

My father has ordered me home.
The commandant just told me.

- I sail on the first ship from Lisbon.
- To California?

- But what about your commission here?
- I'll have to give that up.

What's California like?
Are the Indians troublesome?

- No.
- Then who is there to fight?

No one.

Then what will you do with this
spur of yours, my c*ck?

This.

Leave it there.

And when you see it, think of me,

in a land of gentle missions,
happy peons, sleepy caballeros,

and everlasting boredom.

Wine!

A toast, senores. To California,

where a man can only marry, raise fat
children, and watch his vineyards grow.

- How are the vineyards? Bearing well?
- By some miracle the grapes remain sweet.

Why so gloomy?

People cannot sing with
hatred in their hearts, senor.

- Hatred for whom?
- The alcalde, may his soul burn in hell.

The alcalde? A kinder,
better man never lived.

You don't know him, senor.

I should know him. He's my father.

Well... I said it,
and I won't deny it.

I've taken 20 lashes before
for a slip of the tongue.

Row, row. Get me to shore.

- Buenos dias, senor.
- Buenos dias.

- I'm honoured. How can I serve you?
- A glass of your best wine.

- You are a stranger in these parts, senor?
- No, not exactly.

I was born and raised
not far from here.

I am the son of the alcalde.

Where can I get a carriage
to drive me to Los Angeles?

- Wake up! Didn't you hear me?
- Si, senor.

This way, senor.

Pedro! Pedro, here is a caballero
who would employ you.

He is the son of His
Excellency, the alcalde.

I want to be driven to Los Angeles.

I have some boxes and a
portmanteau on the wharf.

I'll pay you well.

Well, stop staring at me.
Will you drive me or not?

What's come over this country?
Have you all gone mad?

Listen, you. Find speech,
or I'll cut out your tongue.

Oh, please. You are too late, senor. Your
good father has already attended to that.

- My father? What are you talking about?
- I'm sorry. But at a meeting of the peons,

this man spoke against
the heavy taxes.

The next day, the soldiers of His Excellency
cut out his tongue. I swear it is true.

Therefore, until we receive the
reinforcements promised us...

Huh?

So people can still laugh in California.
I'd begun to think they'd lost the habit.

- Your name?
- He claims to be the son of the alcalde.

I claim nothing. I am Diego Vega,
son of His Excellency, Don Alejandro.

And this, although I find it
greatly changed, is my home.

Your pardon, I'd not heard of
your returning. Welcome to California.

I'm Capitan Esteban Pasquale,
military aid to the alcalde.

I'm honoured, Capitan,
but bewildered.

Tell me, why has my father
turned his home into a barracks?

Conditions have changed since you left,
Don Diego. Your father... resigned.

Age, you know. Since then, the peons
have become more... more industrious.

As to the caballeros, they're encouraged
to think of their own affairs.

We take care of the government.

I see.

I see. Tell me,
who holds the office now?

- Don Luis Quintero. I'll take you to him.
- I'd like to see my family. Where are they?

At your old hacienda.

But Don Luis won't allow me to let
you go without a welcome from him.

I'm quite sure that you...
you'll save me a reprimand.

How could I refuse a man with
a naked sword in his hand?

So a wit has come to Los Angeles.
Carry out your orders, Sergeant.

Si, mi capitan.

Foolish habit of mine.

Some men play with a glove,
or a monocle, or a snuffbox.

Churchmen finger their beads.
I toy with a sword.

Do you fancy the weapon?

I know very little about it,
my dear capitan.

Swordplay is such a violent business.

So, this bird k*lled the
black-breasted red?

- Yes, Your Excellency.
- Was it a bloody battle?

At the side of the pit, all the
people were covered with blood.

Pity I missed it.
What are you asking for him?

Oh, this is a noble bird.
Well tested.

I'm asking 40 pesos
for him, Excellency.

40 pesos? Esteban! This cheating
dog should have his taxes raised.

Oh, no, Your Excellency.
The bird is yours, as a gift.

Not one centimo will he cost you.

That's a better attitude. Much better.
Turn him over to my handlers.

Senor.

And what caballero is this?
Or is he some young lord from Spain?

A good guess, Excellency.
He's just from Spain.

This is Don Diego Vega,
son of your respected predecessor.

I thought such fabric came from Madrid.
Must have cost you plenty?

The caballero is here for words of welcome,
not to discuss the price of his clothes.

Of course, to be sure.

Welcome back, young sir.
Regard this house as still your home.

- I thank Your Excellency.
- Luis! Luis!

A ship is in from Spain. The shops
will have something worth looking at.

- I need...
- Money, money, money. It's always money.

Luis, I don't know this caballero.

- He's off your precious ship from Spain.
- How delightful.

Will one of you ill-mannered
boors present him?

Don Diego Vega.
Senora Inez de Quintero.

- My wife, senor.
- Senora.

Your Excellency is a
very fortunate man.

I'm not so sure. She thinks
pesos grow on mulberry trees.

Your husband was also fascinated
by the caballero's... clothes.

We're overwhelmed by
the latest fashions.

And no wonder. What is there
here to interest a woman?

I long for the life you've been leading. The
gaiety and splendour of Madrid and the court.

Patience, my love.
You'll see it all someday.

Doubtless, when I'm an old hag.

That catastrophe could never
overtake you, senora.

Did you hear? How easily
he makes pretty speeches.

I regret, senora, that...

You were saying, Don Diego?

Oh, yes. I was saying that
I must tear myself away

and make some speeches
to my father and mother.

Don't leave me to these barbarians.

Come to the shops with me and
help me make my selections.

Oh, you... you tempt me, senora.

I love the shimmer of satin and silk,

the matching of one delicate
shade against the other.

Then there's the choosing
of scents and lotions -

attar of rose, carnation,
crushed lily... and musk.

- As for ornaments and jewels...
- But Don Diego must see his parents.

Too true. Duty rather than pleasure.

Excellency. Capitan.

- Senora.
- I'll see you to the door.

That's one little peacock that
won't give us any trouble.

You think not?

The capitan is jealous. The fop has
pricked the fencing master. Touche.

I don't like such jests.
Your eye might fail you.

It's possible.

- Who was that?
- Oh, no one you know.

Someone new. Very charming.

He must be, from the
colour in your cheeks.

At last, after all these
months in this dreary place,

someone who knows the newest fashions,
the latest dances, how to flatter a woman.

- When can I meet him?
- Listen to the child.

You're much too young to cope with his sort.
Why do you allow her to wear that mantilla?

It makes her look like a woman grown.

I am a woman grown.
I'll be 18 my next birthday.

Carmen Castellano is
younger and already wed.

Carmen Castellano.
Her grandmother was a peon.

Such riffraff wed when they like.

You have the blood of the
hidalgos in your veins.

Keep it cool, my girl, or I'll
whisk you into a convent.

I pity your poor mount, Sergeant.
Such a heavy whip.

Do you think I'd strike
a good mare with this?

It would ruin her, break her spirit.

See? She didn't flick an ear.

She knows. We are collecting
taxes from the peons today.

And you use that little...
switch on the taxpayers?

Only when they are stubborn.

When you come to collect my taxes,
Sergeant, I won't be stubborn, I promise you.

- Turn right in here, driver.
- Adios, senor.

Adios.

- Oh, Mother.
- Diego!

My son. My baby.

Mother.

- Hello, Maria.
- I'm so happy to see you.

Good old Juan, fat as ever.

Hello, Manuel. And Jose.
Where's Father?

In the study with Fray Felipe.
Come, he's longing to see you.

- Take Don Diego's things to his room.
- Si, senora.

I tell you, these conditions
are beyond bearing.

This whole district, from the hills
of Verdugo to the shores of Del Rey,

is a stench in the
nostrils of heaven.

- I know, I know.
- You know, yes, but what do you do about it?

- Nothing.
- What can...? Diego!

- Father.
- Diego.

My boy.

Padre.

Welcome back to your home
and my heart, Diego.

- Oh, Padre, I've missed your wise counsel.
- Not too greatly, I suspect.

You remember Don Miguel and Don Jose?

- Senores.
- Have you returned to steal more melons?

Melons?

This scamp and my scapegrace
son crept into my garden

and gorged themselves on
my seed melons one year.

Oh, but God punished us, Don Miguel.

We were visited by the
father of all bellyaches.

But he's ripe for more than
boyish pranks now, Alejandro.

- I feel good muscle here.
- Arms, muscle. You men!

Madre de Dios, is he without a face?

Can't you see he's even
better-looking than when he left?

You should've seen me when I
approached the Spanish throne.

I looked like a frightened gopher.

More like a young angel, I'm sure.

An angel, that's what we
need in California now.

- An angel with a flaming sword.
- Please don't start that.

- He didn't come home to get himself k*lled.
- Hold your tongue. Go to your women.

Leave my son to me. Sit down, Diego.

What is all this, Father?

Well, I am no longer alcalde.
In my place is a man...

In his place sits a viper
so foul and black...

To be alone with him for
five minutes, five little minutes!

Long enough to tear his
windpipe out of his throat.

God forgive me.

- Why did you resign in the first place?
- I was forced out of office.

They threatened to burn
the homes of the peons.

- And now he sits here doing nothing, when...
- Enough, Felipe. Enough.

The friar urges me to lead the caballeros
in a revolt which would surely fail

against a garrison
of trained soldiers.

Even if I thought it would
succeed, I'd refuse.

- But why, Father?
- Because the law is the law, my son.

I won't rebel against a government
I served for 30 years.

But that government is
now vile and corrupt.

I know, but two wrongs don't
make a right, and never will.

- That is my feeling also.
- Sometimes, one must fight fire with fire.

I am a Vega. I will not follow the
lawless footsteps of Luis Quintero.

- Nor will my son.
- No. No, no, of course not, Father.

Oh, by the way, I went directly
from the ship to our old home.

I met Senor Quintero and his charming wife.
I found them very pleasant and agreeable.

Pleasant scorpions.
Agreeable rattlesnakes.

Oh, Padre. The alcalde spoke with
great respect of you, Father.

I must admit he hasn't troubled
me or my flocks so far.

Well, that being the case,
why get overly excited in this heat?

Oh, I know I'm going to miss
the scented breezes of Spain.

Then you believe we should not be moved
by injustice and cruelty until it touches us?

But, my dear Padre, such things
exist in the world and always will.

By the way, I took up sleight
of hand while I was in Madrid.

It's all the rage just now.
Watch closely.

To think that the boy
that I helped to raise,

the boy that I taught to hold a firm wrist
behind a true point, has turned into a puppy!

Bah!

How vexatious. Well, I must go
and remove the dust of travel.

Adios, senores.
I'll see you later, Father.

Stay where you are.

Put this up.

Put it up! Be quick about it.

Back to the barracks!

Cuidado, muchachos!

- Zorro.
- Zorro.

I don't understand why you
insist on this stupid drive.

And without an escort.

I have my reasons.

Suppose you share them with me.

Look. Gold.

An agent of the Bank of Madrid
is meeting us in a quiet inn.

This goes to Spain.
For us, my love, for us.

I see. How stupid of me.
A military guard would...

Let our friend Esteban know
about this transaction.

- Of course, he would have claimed his share.
- I'm afraid so.

Don't move if you want to live.

A bandit.

I have distressing news
for Your Excellency.

I had a drinking bout with the
agent of the Bank of Madrid.

While in his cups, the fellow was somewhat
indiscreet. A drunken man is untrustworthy.

I will act for him. Hand it over.

- And now, that little trinket.
- You would rob a woman?

- I can't afford gallantries.
- I refuse.

Quickly, senora. I should hate
to mark such a lovely cheek.

This time, Excellency,
I take only your money. Next time...

Adios.

- Zorro.
- What a nice, quiet study, Your Excellency.

I like a quiet room. Very quiet.

What do you want?

A little talk with you, that's all -
if we come to an understanding.

Do you think the climate in
Spain will agree with you?

Why... why do you ask?

Because you're either going there or
to a place you might not like so well.

Which will it be?

- Spain.
- It's a very wise choice.

Now to the matter of your successor.
What do you think of Don Alejandro?

He's had experience.

What does it matter to me?

Nothing. But to the people
of this district, a great deal.

When you resign,
you'll appoint him as your successor.

As you wish.

This will remind you that I have
been here once, and can return.

- Close your eyes.
- What are you going to do?

What... what's that?

That's the point of my
sword against your throat.

Don't move until I take it away.

What if I faint?

You won't.

What's this? Are you
trying to commit suicide?

- Speak up. What's the matter?
- Esteban, Esteban.

Esteban, he was here.

- Who was here?
- Zo...

- Zorro.
- Ridiculous.

- Your fears have addled your brain.
- I tell you, he was here, in this very room.

Hey! Anybody pass by this way?

No one, mi capitan.

- Has anyone entered this room?
- His Excellency and yourself.

- Anyone else?
- No, mi capitan.

Do you need any more proof?
You must have fallen asleep and dreamed it.

Did I dream that?

- Sergeant!
- Capitan.

Turn out the guard. Zorro is
somewhere on the grounds. Find him!

Si, mi capitan.

I still can't believe
the fellow was here.

If you'd had a sword at your throat,
perhaps you'd believe it.

- How did he get in?
- I'd like to know that.

- It's your business to find out.
- What did he say?

He wants me in Spain
and Vega in my place.

Vega?

Now we have something.
This Zorro is a caballero.

A brigand wouldn't
concern himself with Vega.

It would serve you right
if I did go to Spain.

And give up 50,000 pesos a year?

I can't collect it if I'm dead.
And you get a third for protecting me.

But what protection! You can't keep
even one mad dog off my neck.

Can't I? I'll find him,
I promise you.

In the meantime, I'll put a solid
wall of men around this house.

- I can't afford to lose you, my dear Luis.
- No, you can't. Your pickings end

- if anything happens to me.
- That's exactly what I meant... Excellency.

Blessed Mother, send someone
to take me from this dreary place.

Someone I can love and respect.

Let him be kind and brave.

And... handsome, please, dear Mother.

Fray Ramon, I...
I didn't see you when I came in.

I'm not Fray Ramon.
I'm Fray Pablo, from the mission.

I've just been spending the
evening with Fray Ramon.

Father, I was asking the Holy Mother
to save me from a convent.

- Is that a sin?
- The sin would be in sending you to one.

- I don't understand.
- Well, a young girl with your...

I...

just think that you would probably be
more useful outside a convent than in.

- You mean in serving God?
- Yes, yes, of course. In a... way.

In what way?

Well, the Church must have sons and
daughters, you know, if she is to flourish.

- Do you follow me?
- Well, I... I think so.

- You mean that I might marry and...
- Yes, yes, exactly.

Strong sons and fine daughters
to the glory of God.

I was praying just now for a husband.

You were? Fine.

I mean, it's quite natural
at your age, my child.

Yes, but it's not natural for a girl of my
age to long for a husband to rescue her.

- From what?
- Father,

will you sit here and talk
to me for a little while?

I'm troubled, deeply.

I want to leave this lonely place.
I want to meet young people.

Girls of my own age.
No one ever comes here.

The caballeros avoid this
place like the pest house.

- Why?
- They... they hate my Uncle Luis.

You know, I... I feel that there's
something wrong about him.

Decidedly wrong. What do you think?

Well, if people hate him as you say,
you have your answer there.

Then I was right. Perhaps I should be glad
my Aunt Inez is sending me to a convent.

No, no, don't be glad about that.

I mean, probably your aunt feels that that
atmosphere is better for a young girl,

- but I'm convinced...
- Oh, Inez? Oh, no.

- No, that's not why she's sending me.
- No?

No. Maria says she's jealous.

She says it's because I'm...
well, good-looking.

Maria has excellent eyesight.

Thank you, Father, but...
are you sure?

No one except Maria
ever says I'm pretty.

Pretty? Why, you are more radiant,
more lovely than a morning in June.

You... you really think that?

- With all my heart.
- Oh, I've never heard such words before.

They make me almost lose my breath.

You should hear such words
every hour of the day.

You're not in the least
like Fray Ramon.

You talk so strangely.

You're not a padre. You're an impostor.
You're wearing a sword.

Lolita! Lolita! Lolita, we've been
looking everywhere for you.

Zorro broke into the house and threatened
your uncle. They think he's hiding close by.

Come along. Oh, lock the doors
after we leave, Fray Ramon.

The beast may try to rob the altar.

Good night... Padre.

Oh, Padre, you dropped something.

There he is!

There! There!

- Ernesto Romero.
- Si, senor.

- Three pesos.
- Tres pesos.

Joaquin Valdez.

Three pesos.

- Manuel Villa.
- Si, senor.

- Four pesos.
- Four pesos?

- Si, senor.
- Sebastian Moreno.

- Nine pesos.
- Senor, I cannot pay so much.

I swear, it will leave
me without a centavo.

- Nine pesos.
- But, senor, we will starve.

- How can I feed my family?
- Nine pesos.

Senor, please, I beg
of you. My little girl...

No, no, no, no, no.

That's all.

I'll relieve you of that, Sergeant.

I'll take that.

Get back.

After him!

- Hear our prayer.
- Lord, hear our prayer.

And drive far away from it...

And drive far away from it...

- all the snares of the enemy.
- all the snares of the enemy.

And let thy holy angels dwell therein

And let thy holy angels dwell therein

- to keep us at peace.
- to keep us at peace.

- And may thy blessings
- And may thy blessings

- be upon us always.
- be upon us always.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Benedictio Dei omnipotentis,

Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti,

descendat super vos et maneat semper.

Amen.

Viva Maria

Muera el pecado

Y Jesus sea siempre glorificado

Y Jesus sea siempre glorificado

Good evening, Padre.

It was so dull at home, and I remembered
that you played a fair game of chess.

So I took the liberty of riding
over and setting up the men.

Diego...

What's the meaning of this?
How dare you!

We are after Zorro.
He rode towards the mission.

- Good evening, Sergeant.
- Good evening, senor.

- Zorro, you say? What's he done now?
- Enough to get himself hanged.

- Have you seen him?
- I have only this moment left the chapel.

- How long have you been here, senor?
- Some little time. It seems like hours.

I've been waiting to play
chess with the good padre.

- It's a dull game, but what can one do?
- You have seen or heard nothing?

Of Zorro? Oh, heaven spare me.
My blood chills at the thought.

Out of here! Search the grounds.

What's disturbing you, Padre?
Thoughts of that bandit?

- Puppy!
- Oh, my dear Padre, really.

When I think of what one man, single-handed,
has accomplished against these devils,

and see you, the last of the Vegas,
trembling at the very mention of his name,

why, I could... Can't you even
listen to what I'm saying?

Ordinarily, I'd drink in every word
you say, Padre, but just now...

Thank you, Mother.

- Quick, hide this plunder.
- Plunder?

Well, don't stand there gaping
at me like a fish. Put it away.

- What is this?
- It's some of the alcalde's gold.

Oh, and this I took from his charming wife.
It's pretty, don't you think?

You took it?

Have you seen this one, Padre?

Zorro.

So my old mentor has no more
wit than the rest of them?

Are you trying to make me
the receiver of stolen goods?

No, Padre, the dispenser.

This gold was wrung from the peons.
It's up to us to restore it to them.

My boy.

My boy!

My Diego!

Padre.

Then you will lead your people
against these scorpions?

No. No, we'd be no match for
a garrison of trained troops.

My father was right about that.

But you must have had the alcalde at your
mercy when you took the gold from him.

I would have snuffed him out
like a candle. God forgive me.

It would accomplish nothing.
Another just like him would take his place.

I see.

I see everything.

Diego, don't deceive
your father any longer.

- It's not fair to him.
- I don't like doing it, Padre, believe me.

But I must.

My father is such a stickler for law
and order, he might spoil all the fun.

But what do you hope to achieve
all alone, taking his money?

Oh, no. But I may be able to persuade him
to resign and name my father in his place.

- Amusing, don't you think?
- If you live.

Dona Inez begs you to make yourself
comfortable. She'll be down shortly.

- Thank you.
- Oh, what's this? What's this?

- Don Diego Vega.
- Oh, yes, Don Diego.

Well... what can I do for you?

Have you forgotten that you urged me
to regard this house as still my home?

Oh, did I?

It's good of you to remember the offer,
but didn't you have trouble getting in?

Oh, no. No, I had a note from Dona Inez
asking me to ride with her this morning,

and I just showed it to the sentries.

Excellent, excellent.

Come into my study
till my wife appears.

It's been Esteban's privilege
to ride with her each morning.

Tell me, why is this house
so closely guarded?

I swear I saw a full
company around it.

- I wish there were twice as many.
- Their clatter would drive me to distraction.

I find it reassuring.

Let me show you something, young man.

Look.

Madre de Dios. The mark of Zorro.

He came here one night.

He threatened my life and left that.

I... I should be petrified.

He's mad, of course. Quite mad.

- You think so?
- Of course.

There was a case in Madrid,
almost identical.

This fellow's mark was a cross.
He was a madman.

Cunning beyond belief.
They always are.

He k*lled 40 people.

Slit their throats from ear to ear.

Warned them first,
you know, and then...

Santa Maria.

It's a pity your sense of duty
keeps you here, Excellency.

- Frightful risk.
- Sense of duty?

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

I'm so sorry to have kept you, Don Diego.
Esteban was surly about our little ride.

I'd promised the morning
to him, it seems.

Senora, your invitation was
like a smile from heaven.

- I was positively suffocating with boredom.
- Then let's fly. I'm dying for a canter.

Oh, goodbye, Luis.
Don't work too hard.

- Goodbye, Excellency.
- Goodbye, goodbye.

Esteban, that young Vega
just told me a horrible tale

about a madman in Madrid,
like this Zorro.

- He thinks I run a great risk by staying here.
- Forget your fears. I have a plan.

Yes? What is it?

Don Alejandro is the
leader of the caballeros.

This Zorro wants you to appoint him in
your place. What do you gather from that?

Well, go on.

Doesn't it suggest to you that Zorro
is the tool of Don Alejandro?

Perhaps, but how can we prove it?

We can at least help the situation.

- How?
- Form an alliance with Don Alejandro.

That's impossible.
You know Vega's attitude.

Perfectly, but Lolita
should have a husband.

What could be stronger
than a matrimonial alliance?

Royal families keep the peace
of Europe in bridal beds.

Diego and Lolita.

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

Oh, Diego, talking with you is like
a drink of cool water in the desert.

- Oh, it's a pity.
- What, Diego?

- No, no. I mustn't make you discontented.
- Oh, please. Of what were you thinking?

I was just thinking how
you're being wasted here.

Your beauty, your gift for words,
your perfect poise.

You were born for something higher,
more civilised than this provincial life.

I know.

- May I tell you something, Diego?
- Anything.

Yes, of course I may. I felt from
the moment we met that we...

Diego, Esteban is urging me to leave
my husband and go to Spain with him.

- Oh, but my dear, no.
- But I'm dying here.

Go to Spain, but not with Esteban.

With whom, then, Diego?

- With your husband.
- My husband?

- Go to romantic, beautiful Spain with Luis?
- Well, let me explain.

As the wife of the one-time alcalde of
Los Angeles, you'd be received at court.

But as the companion of a
second-rate soldier of fortune,

- you'd be completely ostracised.
- Oh, I see.

But Luis at court, imagine.

But, in Spain, the husbands of
adorable ladies are merely background.

- But I'd be lost among so many.
- Not you.

You'd need only one "friend"
to introduce you into the proper circles.

But I have no such friend in Madrid.

Who knows? I don't intend to
remain in California for ever.

Oh, Diego.

- What you suggest is utterly impossible.
- I'll give the girl a dowry of 20,000 pesos.

- No.
- 25,000.

Are you buying my son,
Senor Quintero?

- There's the practical side to consider.
- It doesn't enter into this.

You come here on a friendly mission
with half a company of troops. Why?

Not to threaten you, Don Alejandro.
It's because of this Zorro.

Zorro is only a symptom. This whole district
is bleeding under your vile administration.

I won't condone it by marriage
between our families.

In that case, my friendly
attitude will cease.

Buenas t*rd, Excellency.
What is all this fatiguing turmoil about?

His Excellency has offered a marriage
between his niece Lolita and you, Diego.

His niece? How flattering.

But why should that cause an
argument on a hot day like this?

Your father resents my efforts to
make the people here more...

- industrious than under his regime.
- Grinding them into poverty

- to line your own pockets is hardly...
- Oh, politics, politics.

- What have they to do with my marriage?
- You'd marry into the family...

Well, how can I tell until I've seen her?
She may look like her uncle.

Quite right. I...

Oh, no, Diego.
She's a sweet little dove.

It would desolate us to
have her leave the nest.

If she were Venus,
she'd still be his niece.

Yes, but I'm not
marrying His Excellency.

- Oh.
- Diego,

don't you think the wishes of your father,
in this sort of matter, should be considered?

But I had no say in my father's marriage.
Why should he try to instruct me in mine?

Exactly. Will you dine
with us tonight, Diego?

- Charmed.
- We'll expect you at eight o'clock.

Adios, senora.

Diego, Diego, what have you done?

Oh, it will be all right, Mother. No matter
what you think now, please don't worry.

This was your doing, you sly beast.
You gave Luis the idea of this match.

An alliance for the good
of the state, my dear.

It's been fashionable since
the dawn of history.

Oh, Maria, my knees are shaking.

Yes, yes, that is natural.

- Shall I bow, or give him my hand to kiss?
- Both. First the hand, then the bow.

It's 20 minutes past the hour.
What can be keeping him?

Don Diego Vega.

- Well, well, well, here you are at last.
- Excellency.

I was afraid that you might have
been waylaid by that Zorro fellow.

Oh, heaven spare me. Senora.

- I am dazzled.
- And here is our little dove.

Lolita.

- I am honoured, senor.
- Charmed, I'm sure.

May I present Senora Maria de Lopez?

- Senora.
- Senor.

You'll forgive me for being late, senora.
They heated the water for my bath too early.

It was positively tepid. By the time
more was carried and properly scented...

- Life can be trying, don't you think?
- Yes.

- Oh, please.
- Courage, courage.

Well, shall we dine?

Come, Diego.

His bath was tepid!

Poor Lolita. I'm afraid her
wedded life will be the same.

Please do that again.

As you wish. Observe closely.

- Amazing.
- Quite simple.

- Have you seen this one?
- No.

Now, observe very closely.

- Frightfully amusing.
- Yes, I did this one for His Majesty.

It must be heavenly at court.

It's the one bearable
spot on earth, my dear.

Oh, speaking of that Zorro,
could you provide me with an escort home?

On the way here, I fancied that
cutthroat lurking in every shadow.

- I was positively unnerved.
- How distressing!

Apparently you don't
approve of my request.

But you called her hero a cutthroat.

Santa Maria! Have you met the fellow?

I've never so much as seen his face.

I happen to admire courage.

Dashing about with a
cutlass is out of fashion.

- Hasn't been done since the Middle Ages.
- It seems to be quite effective.

He is like a lion among a
lot of frightened sheep.

A madman, that's what he is.
A madman.

Undoubtedly.

Capitan, you seem to regard
that poor fruit as an enemy.

A rival.

My dear Esteban is for ever
thrusting at this and that.

He used to be a fencing
instructor in Barcelona.

How exhausting.

- I didn't find it so.
- Then why did you give it up?

I had the misfortune to
k*ll a man of influence.

A lady was involved, I believe.

The gentleman's wife, no doubt?

Just how did you mean that, senor?

I'd hoped to be amusing.
Have I failed?

Somewhat. With me.

Oh, what are the new dance steps?
You know them all, I suppose.

- I'm afraid so.
- I would so love to have you show me.

Gladly.

- Inez would enjoy it more, senor.
- Nonsense, my child. Dance with him.

Play "El Sombrero Blanco".

Es posible padre mio

Que yo venga a padecer

Y que venga a pasar trabajos

Por causa de una mujer

Deja que te ponga mi sombrero blanco

Deja que te ponga mi sombrero azul

Deja como un nino
dormirte en mis brazos

Deja que te cante arru arru arru arru

Deja que te ponga mi sombrero blanco

Deja que te ponga mi sombrero azul

Deja como un nino
dormirte en mis brazos

Deja que te cante arru arru arru

I never dreamed dancing
could be so wonderful.

I found it rather fatiguing.

If you'll excuse me,
senor, I wish to retire.

So sorry.

- What's got into the girl?
- Who knows?

- Our little dove has flown.
- I don't like it.

You're not serious about
this marriage. You can't be.

But it's perfect. You and I could
be seen together anywhere in Madrid

without the slightest
danger of gossip.

- Excellency, your niece is charming.
- A sweet child.

May I plead with you for
her hand in marriage?

A refusal would crush me.

She's yours, my dear Diego,
with all my blessings.

Who's there?

- Zorro!
- I have a confession to make.

- Go. You'll be caught.
- I must talk to you.

Madre de Dios.

What do you mean by running away from the
man to whom I've promised you in marriage?

- You... you've done that without asking me?
- What do you know about such things?

And it's time that you
understood that...

- Who's that?
- No one.

Forgive me, my dear.
I've been an old fool.

You seem to know how to handle these
matters much better than your Uncle Luis.

You?! Don't come in here.

I have something
important to say to you.

You, pretending to be Zorro. I don't
care to hear anything you have to say.

So unlock that door and go.

I'm glad to see you took the
advice I gave you in the chapel.

- Chapel?
- About not hiding such beauty in a convent.

What did you say?

You're more lovely,
more radiant than a morning in June.

Oh, no, surely I must be dreaming.

- You are Zorro.
- Yes, Lolita.

In order to accomplish what I set out to do,
I've had to deceive people, including you.

Oh, yes, I... I see.

I understand.
You don't have to explain.

You came to say that asking to
marry me was part of the game.

Oh, no, chiquita, no. That's the one
real thing about this whole masquerade.

- Oh, go quickly.
- Ride with me tomorrow.

Oh, yes, yes, but go.

Diego, be careful.

Lolita! Open the door!

Yes, I'm coming.

You seem upset, my dear.

Have you been crying?

- Yes, I have.
- I understand.

This marriage was your uncle's idea.
The man's not your type.

He's far too sophisticated.

- You really think so, Inez?
- Beyond a question.

I saw how he affected you tonight.
My heart bled for you, my dear.

When you tell Luis you'll have none of this
marriage, you can count on my full support.

Well, I... I hardly know what to say.

Uncle Luis has done so much for me.

Nonsense. He has no right to
expect you to spoil your life.

Oh, well. Any marriage is
better than none, I suppose.

Perhaps I could learn
to tolerate Diego.

Oh, I... I do so want
to please Uncle Luis.

There's such a thing as
carrying gratitude too far.

We can't ask you to spend your life
with a man you think repulsive.

We'll talk of this
again in the morning.

- Good night, my dear.
- Good night.

Past midnight. He's not home yet.

- How can you read?
- It's the latest European styles.

- Bustles are coming in, it seems.
- Bustles! What is a bustle?

Oh, it's something to...
to build you up, here.

Santa Maria! Our only son in
the clutches of those polecats,

and you sit there,
planning to decorate your...

- Alejandro!
- Well...

There you are. Why didn't you spend the
entire night with your delightful friends?

What have you done about that girl?

- Well? How did you get out of it?
- She's perfectly charming.

A lovely, unspoiled child.
You'll be delighted with her, Father.

I'll be delighted with her?
What have you done?

Well, I've just taken the first steps
towards making you a grandfather.

What?

What a son you bore me.

An alliance with those terrible people.
Son, why did you do it?

- For the best reason in the world, Mother.
- What is that?

- Lolita Quintero.
- She attracts you?

It's more than that.
From the day I first saw...

I thought you hadn't
met her until tonight.

Well, I did catch a glimpse
of her some time ago. And...

You're concealing something
from us, son. I'm sure of it.

- It's time you went to bed.
- Very well.

But, Diego, tell me
as soon as you can.

I will, Mother.

- What's the meaning of that?
- Gonzales was collecting taxes.

A priest resisted.
The fool gave him ten lashes.

- Send Gonzales to me.
- I wish I could.

- What's to prevent it?
- The disappearance of Sergeant Gonzales.

- He's gone? Where?
- To Hades, I hope.

I'll collect the mission
taxes myself from now on.

That should teach them.

What's that?

You!

- What's that?
- Sergeant Gonzales, Excellency.

- I think he's dead.
- Dead? Dead, you say?

He's alive.

He's got a Z on his chest.

Zorro.

- Padre.
- Jose.

- How is the little one?
- She is well again.

I brought this to give
thanks to the church.

Give thanks in your heart.

Buy milk for the child with this.

No, Padrecito.
This is for the church.

Gracias. Gracias.

Gracias.

I come at precisely the
right moment, it seems.

- I'll take that.
- These are the funds of the mission.

- The property of the Church.
- Not any longer.

Hand them over.

- I refuse.
- In that case, I shall take them.

You should have been a soldier
rather than a churchman.

Santa Maria!

No wonder you chose the Church.

- Where did you get this?
- I'll tell you nothing.

Run me through and have done with it.

No, my dear Padre. We shall
presently hang you. Come on.

If you marry that girl,
you leave this house for ever.

It might be rather amusing
to live with the Quinteros.

Oh, if I'd only left him in Spain.

Wait till you see her, Father.
She's just like this blossom.

I'll never see her.
I promise you that.

La Senorita Quintero.

- We are not at home.
- I'm at home to the senorita. Show her in.

- So you defy me, too?
- You're not being sensible, Alejandro.

- Father, this is Lolita.
- I am honoured, senor.

- And my mother, chiquita.
- Senora.

Please forgive me, but could I...? Would it
be possible to see you alone for a moment?

Senorita, will you
answer me one question?

- Certainly, senor.
- Do you want to marry my son?

Why, yes.

- Why?
- Well, I... I love him, senor.

You are right, my son.
She is like the flower.

Diego...

Something terrible has happened.
They've arrested Fray Felipe.

They say he is Zorro and
they are going to hang him.

- Where is he now?
- In the guardhouse at the barracks.

Oh, Diego, what can you do?

I don't know yet.

Look, so far I've only
frightened your uncle.

This may mean that I'll have to do
more than that. Do you understand?

But if that becomes necessary,
will it make any difference between us?

Sentries! Sentries!
There's someone in that chair. Seize him!

Diego! What are you doing here?

- You frightened me half out of my wits.
- Oh, this is too much.

It's distressing enough to call on my
betrothed and not find her at home.

- Now to be manhandled by these ruffians.
- Leave us. Leave us.

Where is Lolita?
No one seems to know.

Oh, riding, driving, walking.
What does a young girl do?

Am I to understand that my betrothed is
allowed to wander about the countryside

without a duenna?

I protest, Your Excellency.
I protest strongly.

I can't discuss that now.

Do you know this Zorro had
an accomplice? A priest.

We arrested him today. And another
horrible thing happened to me this morning.

Gonzales was beaten half
to death by this Zorro.

He shoved him over the
wall right before my eyes.

How frightful.

But after all, it was
harder on Gonzales.

Please, this is no time for jesting.

Perhaps that madman is lurking
on the grounds right now.

What shall I do? What shall I do?

I offer rewards and nothing happens.

Well, he may change
his mind about you.

Those creatures
usually do, I believe.

He may decide to cut the
throat of someone else.

- Must you always talk of throat-cutting?
- Oh, how thoughtless of me.

- What you need is a drop of brandy.
- Brandy. Yes, yes, brandy.

It's gone. I'm surrounded by idiots.

Stupid servants, stupid soldiers.

You know, I admire you tremendously.
Your courage, your fortitude.

Why, a weaker man would forget his
civic duty and get away from all this.

- You rang, Your Excellency?
- Yes, brandy.

- On the desk, Your Excellency.
- It's not on the desk. Bring some!

A situation of this sort would
wreck my constitution in a week.

But then I haven't the iron
nerve of Your Excellency.

Your Excellency, come! Come quickly!
Something has happened in the cellar.

Guards! You, follow me!

Look!

Look, Your Excellency.

Zorro.

Here in the cellar,
right below my study.

Look, here's his trail.

It goes this way.

It ends here.

He couldn't have gone
through the wall.

He's not human. He's...
Light my way out of here. Quick!

Diego. Diego, Diego.

You were right. You were right. I'll leave
this cursed place. I'll do as he asks.

- Pen, paper.
- Here, Excellency.

A man should consider his wife.

Inez has... Inez has gone crazy
over the idea of Madrid.

She's been at me night and
day to take her there.

This should do it.

This should suit that maniac.

There, look it over.

That's very direct.
But you forgot to sign.

- Sign what?
- My resignation, Esteban.

This Zorro will k*ll me if I stay.

You may escape him, but I will surely
k*ll you if you write any more of these.

But, Esteban, I'm in danger.
Grave danger. Diego here will bear me out.

You're in even greater danger than he thinks.
So you tried to get gold out of the country?

If you ever again take one peso of mine,
I'll cut your throat from ear to ear.

I must ask you to change the subject.
He objects to talk of throat-cutting.

Quiet, you popinjay. I've no
reason for letting you live either.

What a pleasant coincidence.

I feel exactly the same way
about you, Capitan.

You wouldn't care to translate that
feeling into action, would you?

I might be tempted,
if I had a weapon.

Would you?

Now, please, gentlemen.

This is going much too far.

- It's only to serve you, Excellency.
- Ha! You have a champion, Luis.

And what a champion.

Now, gentlemen. Diego...

Esteban, why...?

Esteban, Est...

I'll make it short,
and save you fatigue.

Esteban... Sentries! Sentries!

- No interference, Excellency, please.
- We have a hero with us.

- Are you all right, Diego?
- Ask the capitan.

Get out. Get out.

The fencing master has met his equal.

Careful!

- Are you tiring, Diego?
- No, Excellency, I'll take you on in a moment.

- It's a good effort, Capitan.
- My next will be better, my fancy clown.

- The capitan's blade is not so firm.
- Still firm enough to run you through.

I needed that scratch to awaken me.

He's dead. Well,
he's been troublesome lately.

And you k*lled him, Diego.

Your Excellency, a secret stairway
from the cellar. We just discovered it.

A secret stairway? Leading here?

Yes, Your Excellency.

Good. Very good.

Excellent. You shall be rewarded.

Sentries. Sentries!

Keep that man covered.

Take him to the guardhouse
and lock him in a cell.

The strongest cell you have.

Why arrest me, Excellency?

For three reasons. First, you have
mud from the cellar on your boots.

Second, that secret stairway
happens to be in your old home.

And third, you handle a
sword like a devil from hell.

And that's exactly where
you're going, Senor Zorro.

That's a pretty way to treat
your future nephew, Uncle Luis.

No more of your wit. Take him away.

You, Morales!

Send the officer of the day to me. I want all
caballeros and all peons summoned at once.

Yes, Your Excellency.

All caballeros are requested to report
at the alcalde's residence immediately.

- At this hour? Ridiculous!
- The alcalde's orders, senor.

Sergeant, assemble your
men for firing-squad duty.

- But why did they arrest Diego?
- I don't know.

Luis won't tell me.
He must have lost his mind.

Come in.

His Excellency requests you ladies
to stay in your rooms tonight.

- Why?
- I cannot say. I was ordered to tell you.

Oh, Inez.

Firing squad, forward!

- Good evening.
- Why are we meeting here?

- What do you know about this, Alejandro?
- Nothing. I was forced to come here.

They must be up to something.

Good evening, senores.
It's a pleasure to see you here.

Get to the point. Why drag us
out of our homes at this hour?

To witness a delightful spectacle,
my good Vega.

You will find it
particularly interesting.

I'm executing a
caballero at midnight.

- What caballero?
- Who is it?

He's the man you selected
from among you to defy me,

to prey upon me, to threaten my life.

I brought you here to see him die
as a lesson to the lot of you.

- I don't know what you're talking about.
- Nor I.

You almost convince me.

Too bad you're about to lose
the best actor among you.

But in a few moments,
you'll see your precious Zorro shot.

There. Oh, Padre.

Now, observe very closely.
Watch the candle.

Blow.

You should really see something worthwhile,
like changing a copper coin into solid gold.

- Can you do that?
- The good padre here has seen me do it.

- Many times.
- It was a secret discovered by Merlin,

in the 11th century. It's been handed
down through a long line of sorcerers

to some of us living today.

You can change a centavo into gold?

- Easily.
- Please, senor, do that for me?

Oh, I am very weary.
I must seek repose.

Oh, senor, senor, I have a
wife and seven children,

and the little I earn
isn't enough for them.

Please, make gold for them
and I'll pray for you. Please.

Well, if I must, I must.

- Now, hold the centavo in your closed fist.
- Si, senor. Gracias.

Tightly now. Now, put your
fist well through the bars.

- Si.
- Cold iron will spoil everything.

Now, I take your
fist gently. Like this.

- Oh, senor.
- Now, open the door. Be quick about it.

- Come along now.
- Si, senor.

Now, get in. Get down under there, close to
the wall. And not a sound, remember.

Close the door, Padre.

Hide this in your robe.

Sit down.

And now, senores, you will behold
the result of your rebellious plans.

Come in!

Here is Zorro the fox,
safely trapped.

Diego? What is this?

- Hola, senores.
- What idiotic joke is this?

- As if you didn't know.
- Luis Quintero, you are a fool.

Zorro is a man. This is my worthless,
trick-playing offspring.

Have you seen this one, Father?

Help! Help! Zorro is loose!
Zorro is loose!

Siganme!

- Senores, are you with me?
- I am with you, Diego!

God forgive me.

God forgive me.

God forgive me.

Well, what a splendid audience you have.
Peons, caballeros, everyone.

- It was thoughtful of you to have them here.
- What's happened?

Good evening, ladies. His Excellency
is about to make an address.

Address? Well...
well, what shall I say?

You know. The little matter
of your resignation.

Quiet! Quiet for His Excellency.

We're waiting, Excellency. Go on.

Good people of Los Angeles,

owing to my ceaseless efforts to...
to improve conditions in the district...

..my health is endangered.

I have therefore decided to give
up my office and go to Spain.

To succeed me as alcalde of this district,
I am naming my illustrious predecessor,

Don Alejandro Vega.

And now, Your Excellency, I personally will
accompany you to the wharf at San Pedro.

I wish to bless your voyage, and ask God
to reward you according to your merits.

Spain. Spain!

Oh, Diego, when may we expect you
and our dear little Lolita in Madrid?

Not for some time, I'm afraid.
We'll follow the customs of California.

- What do you mean?
- We are going to marry

and raise fat children and
watch our vineyards grow.