In 19th-century California, Zorro (Anthony Hopkins), after years of being the people's hero, is arrested and imprisoned, while his wife is killed and his infant daughter, Elena, is stolen by the evil Governor Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson). Twenty years later, Diego escapes prison and trains a young bandit with an agenda of his own, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) to take on the role of Zorro. Alejandro insinuates himself into Montero's inner circle by day, and thwarts Montero's plots by night, all the while romancing the now-grown Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones).