While Zorro is not based on an historical character
(personally I find a lot of simularities between Zorro
and the Scarlet Pimpernel), the Zorro move with
Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas is based on several
historical figures in California. Captain Love was hired
by the State of California to bring in the bandit Juaquin.
Later, the hand of three-fingered Jack and the head of the
bandit Juaquin were on display in jars of alcohol. The
movie uses a different time-frame than the events that
inspired the plot.
On the subject of California bandits, there was a bandit
know for wearing black and using a sword. More of a
coinsidence than anything else.
Fatman, welcome to the Boards, we’re glad to have you here. We like to ask that the initial poster of a new topic please provide the link to the Mailbag Answer being commented on, to help others and to avoid people repeating what’s already in the column.
On bandits wearing black, that’s pretty much standard, ain’t it, for night work? … and has been for at least 200 years or so, I’d guess.
Because I’ve read of black-garbed raiders during the French Revolution, but I haven’t read of any earlier. Hence, “at least”, without me running to go check refs.