El mariachi (1992)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writer:

Robert Rodriguez (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

With a guitar in his hand and a price on his head, he wasn't looking for trouble...but trouble came looking for him.

Plot:

A traveling mariachi is mistaken for a murderous criminal and must hide from a gang bent on killing him.

Plot Keywords:

Mariachi | Guitar | Guitar Case | Gun | Mexico

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Carlos Gallardo	...	El Mariachi
Consuelo Gómez	...	Domino
Jaime de Hoyos	...	Bigotón (as Jaime De Hoyos)
Peter Marquardt	...	Mauricio
Reinol Martinez	...	Azul
Ramiro Gómez	...	Cantinero (as Ramiro Gomez)
Jesús López	...	Viejo Clerk (as Jesus Lopez)
Luis Baró	...	Domino's Assistant (as Luis Baro)
Oscar Fabila	...	The Boy
Poncho Ramón	...	Azul's Rat (as Poncho Ramon)
Fernando Martínez	...	Azul's Rat (as Fernando Martinez)
Manuel Acosta	...	Bodyguard
Walter Vargas	...	Prisoner
Roberto Martinez	...	Prisoner
Virgen Delgado	...	Female Bodyguard

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence.

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

Mexico | USA

Language:

Spanish

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:18A (British Columbia) (1999) | Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | Australia:M | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R (Approval No. 31967)

Filming Locations:

Ciudad Acuña, Coahuíla, Mexico

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Fairly early in the movie, Azul insists he only killed six of Moco's men, while Moco insists ten and the other four are credited to El Mariachi. Actually, Azul is responsible for the death seven of the men (the three hitmen in the opening, four in the bar) and Mariachi is responsible for three (two in the truck, one beside, leaving one unconscious).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Moco's men enter the prison looking for Azul, one of them gets shot several times in chest. Later, when he is dragged into a cell, his white shirt shows no signs of blood.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mauricio: Good morning, Azul. Know who this is?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mad About You: Surprise (#2.8)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Mariachi Solo

A smashing debut for Robert Rodriguez...

In director Rodriguez's first feature-length movie, Carlos Gallardo plays a "mariachi", or singing guitar player, who is mistaken for a vengeful criminal in a small Mexico town and is chased around by thugs who are supposed to eliminate the other guy.

The first film in the "El Mariachi" trilogy shows that an enormous budget is not always necessary in order to create decent entertainment. Made for a sum of only about $7,000, the film was financed by the proceeds the director made from his time spent in a research facility. Obviously a labor of love, and made with genuine talent, the film is often incredibly violent, but very potent. The cast gives no indication of being amateurs; they are all very good.

Rodriguez, as he has done with his other pictures, handled several duties, and star Gallardo worked behind the scenes as well.

The music, composed by several people, was enjoyable and really helped to set the mood at times.

Followed by "Desperado" (1995) and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" (2003).

8/10