While geared for a family audience, the show is remarkably good, with a frequent serialized storytelling, and, of course, Williams, who excels in the dual role of Zorro and the mild-mannered Don Diego. Released in two volumes, Zorro presents every episode of the series produced.
In the liner notes for volume one, film historian Leonard Maltin says of the show, "It was an immediate success, and it wasn't hard to see why. A gallant defender of the oppressed, Zorro is a very appealing figure. Walt Disney hired writer-director Norman Foster to develop the character and set the tone of the series, as he had so successfully with Davy Crockett just a few years earlier. Together they chose the perfect actor to play Zorro in this action-packed but lighthearted show: Guy Williams. Everything about the series reflected Disney's philosophy of family entertainment and his commitment to quality. An elaborate, permanent set was built on the Disney studios lot. Williams was surrounded by a colorful and talented supporting cast...All 39 episodes of Season One (and the subsequent one-hour episodes that aired on Walt Disney Presents) have been remastered for this DVD set.
"Zorro attracted a sizable audience of kids and parents every week on ABC," he continued in the liner notes for volume two. "But most fans agree that the main attraction was the dazzling smile and winning personality of its star, Guy Williams. He not only filled the dual role of Don Diego and his alter-ego to perfection, he also performed all of his own swordfights."
The set contains the 39 episodes of season two, as well as the final two one-hour adventures made for Walt Disney Presents, as well as a retrospective on Guy Williams himself.
NOW AVAILABLE:
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Featured in our premiere issue:
MERCY REEF
• Behind the Scenes on the "Aquaman" TV Pilot* Exclusive interviews with creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and director Greg Beeman
• A conversation with actor Justin Hartley, who played Aquaman before becoming Green Arrow on Smallville
• Never before published behind the scenes photos
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE ANIMATED SERIES
• The making of all 52 episodes before the show became Justice League Unlimited
• Go behind the scenes on each episode with producers Bruce Timm, James Tucker, Dwayne McDuffie and others
• An interview with voice director Andrea Romano
• Exclusive interviews with the voice cast, including George Newbern (Superman) and Kevin Conroy (Batman)
• Previously unpublished behind the scenes images