Desperado (1995)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writer (WGA):

Robert Rodriguez (written by)

Release Date:

25 August 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

He came back to settle the score with someone. Anyone. EVERYONE.

Plot:

A gunslinger is embroiled in a war with a local drug runner.

Plot Keywords:

Bookstore | Pistolero | Bar | Drug Cartel | Drug Smuggling

Awards:

3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 21

12:40 AM

TBS

Cast

Antonio Banderas	...	El Mariachi
Salma Hayek	...	Carolina
Joaquim de Almeida	...	Bucho
Cheech Marin	...	Short Bartender
Steve Buscemi	...	Buscemi
Carlos Gómez	...	Right Hand (as Carlos Gomez)
Quentin Tarantino	...	Pick-Up Guy
Tito Larriva	...	Tavo
Angel Aviles	...	Zamira
Danny Trejo	...	Navajas
Abraham Verduzco	...	Niño
Carlos Gallardo	...	Campa
Albert Michel Jr.	...	Quino
David Alvarado	...	Buddy
Angela Lanza	...	Tourist Girl
Mike Moroff	...	Shrug
Robert Arevalo	...	Opponent
Gerardo Moscoso	...	Priest
Peter Marquardt	...	Moco
Consuelo Gómez	...	Domino (as Consuelo Gomez)
Jaime de Hoyos	...	Bigoton (as Jaime De Hoyos)
Cristos	...	Cristos
Richie Gaona	...	Case Opener
Mark Dalton	...	Fighting Barfly
Tommy Nix	...	Fighting Barfly
Patricia Vonne	...	Bar Girl
Elizabeth Rodriguez	...	Mariachi Fan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Reinol Martinez	...	Guy scolding Niño outside Tarasco Bar (uncredited)
Diego Sandoval	...	Empty Gun Man (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Rodriguez

Writing credits (WGA)
Robert Rodriguez		(written by)

Produced by
Elizabeth Avellan	....	co-producer (as Elizabeth Avellán)
Bill Borden	....	producer
Carlos Gallardo	....	co-producer
Robert Rodriguez	....	producer

Original Music by
Los Lobos

Cinematography by
Guillermo Navarro

Film Editing by
Robert Rodriguez

Production Design by
Cecilia Montiel

Art Direction by
Felipe Fernández del Paso		(as Felipe Fernandez del Paso)

Costume Design by
Graciela Mazón

Makeup Department
Rosie Duprat Fort	....	assistant hair stylist (as Rosa Elisa Duprat R.)
Rosie Duprat Fort	....	assistant makeup artist (as Rosa Elisa Duprat R.)
Ermahn Ospina	....	hair stylist
Ermahn Ospina	....	makeup artist
Douglas J. White	....	special makeup effects artist (as Douglas White)
Allan A. Apone	....	special makeup designer (uncredited)

Production Management
Tony Mark	....	unit production manager
Luz María Rojas	....	unit production manager (as Luz Maria Rojas Magnon)
Tamara Smith	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Diego Sandoval	....	second assistant director
Joaquin Silva	....	second second assistant director
Sebastián Silva	....	first assistant director (as Sebastian Gaetano Silva)
Steve M. Davison	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Mark 'Digger' Green	....	assistant property master (as Mark Green)
Terry Haskell	....	property master
Ricardo M. Kaplan	....	assistant art director
Eduardo Lopez	....	lead dresser
Ernesto López Ríos	....	construction coordinator (as Ernesto Lopez Rios)

Sound Department
Dean Beville	....	supervising sound editor
Matthew C. Beville	....	sound editor (as Matthew Beville)
Edmond J. Coblentz Jr.	....	assistant sound editor
Thomas Raymond Fabbricante	....	assistant sound editor
Judee Flick	....	adr editor
Gary S. Gerlich	....	sound editor (as Gary Gerlich)
Greg Hedgepath	....	sound editor (as Gregory A. Hedgepath)
Pedro Mejía	....	boom operator (as Pedro Mejia)
Sergio Reyes	....	sound re-recording mixer
B. Tennyson Sebastian III	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Tennyson Sebastian III)
Frank Smathers	....	foley editor (as Frank T. Smathers)
Charles Ewing Smith	....	dialogue editor
Mark Ulano	....	production sound mixer
Derek Marcil	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Marvin Walowitz	....	sound effects editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
B.J. Shelley	....	special effects assistant
Bob Shelley	....	special effects coordinator
Malinda Shelley	....	special effects assistant
Steve Fink	....	prosthetics technician (uncredited)

Stunts
David Alvarado	....	stunts
Julian Bucio	....	stunts (as Julian Bucio Montemayor)
Steve M. Davison	....	stunt coordinator
Richie Gaona	....	stunts
Ramiro González	....	stunts (as Ramiro Gonzalez)
Allan R.J. Joseph	....	stunts
Henry Kingi Jr.	....	stunts (as Henry Masao Kingi Jr.)
Javier Lambert	....	stunts (as Havier Lambert Rodriguez)
Troy Robinson	....	stunts
Gilbert Rosales	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
David Berryman	....	second assistant camera
Ricardo Fernández	....	first assistant camera
Joaquin Gutierrez	....	second assistant camera
Gerardo Manjarrez	....	first assistant camera (as Gerardo Manjarrez Chavez)
Marco Morales Echeverría	....	second grip (as Marco Morales Echeverria)
Fernando Moreno	....	chief lighting technician
Robert Rodriguez	....	steadicam operator
Jesús Romero	....	key grip (as Jesus Romero)
Antonio Sánchez Romero	....	best boy electric (as Antonio Sanchez Romero)
Rico Torres	....	still photographer: specials
Juan Martín	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
David Giella	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alana Caudillo	....	wardrobe assistant (as Alana Ackley)
Ireri Mazón Salas	....	wardrobe assistant
Adolfo Ramírez	....	wardrobe supervisor: men
Carlos Mungia Rodríguez	....	wardrobe supervisor: women

Editorial Department
Erik C. Andersen	....	associate editor
Daniel Fort	....	assistant film editor (as Daniel A. Fort)
Gloria Kaiser	....	color timer
Ethan Maniquis	....	assistant film editor
David Orr	....	color timer
Darren Block	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Michael Connell	....	music editor
Tito Larriva	....	composer: additional music
Karyn Rachtman	....	music supervisor
Steven Hufsteter	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Steven Hufsteter	....	musician: guitars (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Kenny Mason	....	transportation coordinator
Mark Gantt	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Robin Anderson	....	script supervisor
Joaquin Gonzalo Avellán	....	assistant location manager
Mariano Carranco	....	location manager
Anelis Patiño Coronas	....	production secretary
Deborah Dalton	....	assistant: Mr. Banderas
Fernanda Echeverria	....	production coordinator (as Fernanda Echeverria B.)
Miguel Gurza	....	animal wrangler
Cheri Hall	....	production accountant
Elsa Hermoso	....	production accountant
Pamela Jaeckle	....	production coordinator
Don Levy	....	unit publicist
Jenny Manriquez	....	assistant: Mr. Borden
Juan Luis Obregón	....	production assistant
Leticia Avalos Ramos	....	production assistant
Carlos Renero	....	animal wrangler
Barry Rosenbush	....	production assistant
Daniel J. Shaw	....	production assistant
Josephine Batorski	....	studio teacher (uncredited)
Kelly Frazier	....	assistant production coordinator (uncredited)
Gregg Singer	....	assistant to director (uncredited)

Thanks
Carmen M. De Gallardo	....	special thanks (as Carmen Monsivais De Gallardo)
Ramiro Guzmán	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation
• Los Hooligans Productions

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures
• Columbia TriStar Films (1995) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de España S.A. (Spain)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (DVD)
• Falcon (1995) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• LK-TEL Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Makeup Effects Laboratories

Other Companies

• Alimentacion Filmica Especializada  catering
• Alimentacion Filmica Especializada  craft service
• D. Bassett & Associates  negative cutting
• Del Rio Bar, Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• Epic Soundtrax  soundtrack published by
• Fire Department of Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• Hunters Lodge Bar  special thanks
• Otto Nemenz International  camera equipment
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Police Department of Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• Post Logic Studios  digital film mastering
• Reuben Cannon & Associates  casting
• The Chamber of Commerce of Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• The Office of the Governor of Coahuila, Mexico  special thanks
• The Parish of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• Transit Department of Ciudad Acuña  special thanks
• Wardlaw Frazier Casting  extras casting

Also Known As:

El Mariachi 2 (USA) (working title)
Pistolero (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong bloody violence, a strong sex sequence and language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #33717) | Brazil:14 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | New Zealand:R18 | Italy:VM14 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Ciudad Acuña, Coahuíla, Mexico

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Though Quentin Tarantino wasn't initially cast in the movie, the character he plays was based on him. Steve Buscemi was originally cast in the role, but when Tarantino expressed an interest he was immediately given the part.

Goofs:

Continuity: On the rooftop of the bookstore as El Mariachi is reloading, Carolina can be seen holding her red shoe. In the next shot she takes the red shoe off again.

Quotes:

Buscemi: So, anyway, without warning, without any hint or preview, the stranger whips around, and he sees... me.
Short Bartender: You saw his face?
Buscemi: His face? No. His eyes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in All the Rage (1999)

Soundtrack:

Quédate Aquí

Give me the strength to be what I was, and forgive me for what I am.

Sinking us back into the gritty life of a tormented guitar player, Rodriguez sets the stage for an amazing film. This time, Antonio Banderas steps into the role of the troubled Mariachi as he continues his quest to rid Mexico of the corrupted drug lord that destroyed his life. Using friends like Steve Buscemi, he finds the town that is harboring his villain named Bucho. The Mariachi's form of questioning normally leads to several dead, a cinematic gun fight, and some classic Sergio Leone verbiage. Unfortunately, our hero does not escape unscathed and finds himself being healed by the likes of Carolina, a bookstore beauty played by Selma Hayek. Together they build a steamy relationship that will help our Mariachi reach his final destination.

As more gunfights, explosions, and blood rock this independent blockbuster, we soon discover a hidden secret about our hero, one that could change the course of his destination.

This was an impressive second outing by director Robert Rodriguez. While I was worried that Hollywood would have drained too much of his imagination, it was instead the direct opposite. Hollywood gave him the tools to build an amazing 'sequel'. While different, yet the similar to his independent feature 'El Mariachi', Rodriguez sets the stage for a roller coaster film that makes you hold your breath and pray for more. He has taken elements from his first film and expanded them to new levels. Banderas is perfect as our 'new' Mariachi and the chemistry between him and Selma Hayek cannot be contested. Banderas' ability to control this enraged man was spectacular. They worked as our two main focuses of this film. Coupled with some humorous moments with Steve Buscemi and Quentin Tarantino, this film successfully stood on its own two feet thanks not just to the action, but the actors in their respective roles.

Finally, Rodriguez is a genius behind the camera. He is able to give us exactly the right amount of action, drama, and comedy for our liking. He is the proverbial salad bar of cinema. While giving us this deeply rooted character hell-bent on destroying this drug lord, he also lets our imaginations wander with his comical and cartoonish action sequences. The scenes of men flying through the air after being shot are somewhat comical, yet completely Rodriguez. He has successfully created this world that is all uniquely his own. Rodriguez has done this by giving the world depth and outside characters. He builds suspense and also suspicion all at the same time.

Overall, an amazing film (in case you haven't noticed) that should be found in nearly everyone's film collection.

Grade: ***** out of *****