HotToastyRag In a strange combination of The Mark of Zorro and The Count of Monte Cristo, John Derek stars as a masked hero out for revenge for his father's murder in Mask of the Avenger. There's really no suspense, though, because in the beginning scene, Anthony Quinn is revealed to be the murderer. It would have added a little intrigue, even if it were just fifteen minutes or so, if John didn't know who killed his father. There's also a watered-down romance between John and Jody Lawrance added into the plot. With the cheesy script, B-movie production values, and tv-esque music, this movie isn't one I'd recommend adding to your list. There are so many other better 1950s adventure movies to choose from.

JohnHowardReid Although no literary source is stated in the credits, some critics feel that this eye-catching Technicolor swashbuckler was based on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I disagree. If the movie has a literary source at all, it's The Mark of Zorro that deserves the credit. Although Anthony Quinn is okay as the heavy, he's nowhere in the Basil Rathbone league. Arnold Moss, however, makes such a fine sub-villain, it's a shame he gets killed two-thirds of the way through. The other leads, John Derek and Jody Lawrance, are no more than adequate. Miss Lawrance, in fact, is occasionally less than competent. Phil Karlson's direction is also a bit slack, although he was obviously hamstrung by a tight budget and the need to pad the movie out to "A"-feature length. However, he does employ some effective running inserts at the finale. I also liked the idea of the hero backing into a horse during the duel and losing his sword as the animal rears, causing our heroine to take over briefly. Now that's certainly an innovation – if an unlikely one! And for all the script's jingoistic platitudes about "freedom", the film is nothing more than pure escapist nonsense – but most agreeably dressed up with attractive costumes and sets!

William Giesin At one time actor John Derek appeared to have a very promising career in films after appearing in various supporting roles in such quality films as "Knock On Any Door" (1949) and "All The Kings Men" (1949). These films afforded him the opportunity to portray character roles that focused on a range of expressions, emotions and flaws of the character he was playing. It wasn't too long after these initial successes that he soon became a "star/leading man" in films like "Rogues of Sherwood Forrest"(1950) and "Mask of the Avenger" (1951). Obviously, the studios were trying to cash in on Derek's good looks, and were trying to make him the next Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power. Unfortunately for Derek, films like "Mask of the Avenger" paled in comparison to films such as "Mark of Zorro" and "Adventures of Robin Hood". Even the talented Anthony Quinn, who had just returned from a long successful run on Broadway as Stanley Kowalski in "Streetcar Named Desire" could not save this Saturday matinée turkey. It would be unfair to blame John Derek for this film's failings. Personally, I blame the people who adapted the Alexander Dumas novel (Ralph Gilbert Bettison, George Bruce,Jesse Lasky, Phillip MacDonald). Perhaps it was a case of "too many cooks spoil the broth." The writers not only seemed to have difficulty with the films wooden and lifeless dialog, but also in deciding who the real hero was. In fact, when Derek (Capt. Renato Dimorna)is fighting Quinn (Viovanni Larocca) he loses his sword and is temporarily relieved by his girlfriend Jody Lawrence (Maria d'Orsini)in a manner similar to a low budget tag team wrestling match. Consequently, it was films like this that eventually drove Derek out of Hollywood, and relegated him to the real life role of husband and photographer of some of the screens most beautiful women.... Ursula Andress, Linda Evans, and Bo Derek. To this day, I believe John Derek had the talent to be a leading actor but because of his "pretty face" he became a stereotype to "B" swashbucklers to which he was not suited.

Melissa Alice It's a pretty good movie, with swordplay, secrets, murder, and horseback riding...reminiscent of the old Zorro movies. There's a bit of romance, too. Good over all.