Zorro: The Complete First and Second Seasons DVD review

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment recently released Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX, Zorro The Complete First and Second Seasons on DVD. All 78 episodes of the groundbreaking classic TV series are included on two new six-disc sets for the first time, all housed in collectible, numbered black tin cases. Both Walt Disney Treasures sets are hosted by noted film historian, author and critic Leonard Maltin, and each limited edition is individually numbered (only 30,000 of each were produced) and includes a Zorro pin, an authenticity certificate and an exclusive lithograph.

After more than 50 years, Zorro remains entertaining fun, complete with complex story lines, exciting action sequences, and likable characters. At its heart, Zorro is a rousing western saga, filled with remarkably executed swashbuckling scenes. At the center of the intoxicating adventure is Guy Williams, a former model who had no experience in fencing, yet won audiences over with his delightful smile and striking athletic ability. And while the violence was obviously watered down for television of the time, the villains were still menacing enough to make you fear for the safety of the main characters, especially the citizens in town, whom Zorro protected.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Zorro have been previously released on DVD in colorized versions. However, this collector’s release offers the original B&W prints, remastered and restored to the highest caliber possible, with excellent picture and sound quality. Each edition includes every episode from both seasons on five discs, along with a certificate of authenticity signed by Roy E. Disney and Leonard Maltin, a B&W postcard print featuring our hero Williams as Don Diego and Zorro, an episode guide, and an exclusive pin.

Bonus Material
Aside from an introduction by Maltin on the first disc, all of the bonus features are found on Disc 6 of each volume.

Zorro: The Complete First Season

• Zorro: El Bandido
  Part 1 of a 2-part story shown as a 1-hour-special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: October 30, 1960). The focus of the story involves a bunch of Mexican bandidos who invade Los Angeles and Zorro’s resulting attempts to control their antics. The episode features Oscar-winner Rita Moreno playing a seductive dancer.
• Zorro: Adios El Cuchillo
  Part 2 of the 2-part story shown as a 1-hour-special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: November 6, 1960)

Zorro: The Complete Second Season

• Zorro: The Postponed Wedding
  A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: January 1, 1961)
• Zorro: Auld Acquaintance
  A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: April 2, 1961)
• There is also a 14-minute documentary titled The Life And Legend Of Zorro, which provides a summary of the character’s transition from page to screen, spotlighting the numerous adaptations prior to the Disney series. It also showcases some rare photos of the actors on set, and discusses the show’s controversial cancellation.
• Rounding out the bonus material is The Fourth Anniversary Show of Walt Disney Presents, with Disney himself announcing the arrival of Zorro to some Mousketeers.

Directors: Hollingsworth Morse, Charles Barton, Norman Foster, William Witney, Charles Lamont, Lewis R. Foster, John Meredyth Lucas, Robert Stevenson, Harmon Jones, James Neilson
Cast: Guy Williams, Gene Sheldon, Henry Calvin, Don Diamond, George J. Lewis, Britt Lomond, Vinton Hayworth, Nestor Paiva, Jolene Brand, Suzanne Lloyd, Jan Arvan

Film

Extras