The Film starts off with the Zorro character in place and does not show a transformation or origin story other than a brief prelude where Don Diego de la Vega tells his handy sidekick, Kino why he dawns the Zorro persona, (who in other versions is referred to as Bernardo or Felipe, specifically the A&E version starring Duncan Reghr) who is also the households butler, and most think is deaf and mute, but shares his secret with Don Diego/Zorro.
Zorro has multiple face offs with the local military and swears to restore order and freedom to the oppressed.
Upon sealing the deal, he kills the caballero and mortally wounds the elder De la Vega, leaving with the money.
The military starts linking clues together and leads their search right back to the De La Vega's Mansion.
In this version, Diego de la Viego is a 'fiery' and educated character with a short fuse who at one point even calls out the local military leader (Jorge Rusek) to a duel.