IMDb >
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsOnce Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 73 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 10) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Robert Rodriguez (written by)
Release Date:
12 September 2003 (USA)
more
Tagline:
The Time Has Come.
Plot:
Hitman "El Mariachi" becomes involved in international espionage involving a psychotic CIA agent and a corrupt Mexican general. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 wins
&
4 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(51 articles)
Johnny Depp As Pancho Villa In Kusturica’s New Movie?
(From Filmofilia. 4 December 2009, 3:02 PM, PST)
Depp In Talks To Play Pancho Villa
(From WENN. 3 December 2009, 11:56 PM, PST)
(From Filmofilia. 4 December 2009, 3:02 PM, PST)
Depp In Talks To Play Pancho Villa
(From WENN. 3 December 2009, 11:56 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Underrated...
more (464 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Antonio Banderas | ... | El Mariachi | |
| Salma Hayek | ... | Carolina | |
| Johnny Depp | ... | Sands | |
| Mickey Rourke | ... | Billy | |
| Eva Mendes | ... | Ajedrez | |
| Danny Trejo | ... | Cucuy | |
| Enrique Iglesias | ... | Lorenzo | |
| Marco Leonardi | ... | Fideo | |
| Cheech Marin | ... | Belini | |
| Rubén Blades | ... | Jorge FBI | |
| Willem Dafoe | ... | Barillo | |
| Gerardo Vigil | ... | Marquez | |
| Pedro Armendáriz Jr. | ... | El Presidente (as Pedro Armendariz) | |
| Julio Oscar Mechoso | ... | Advisor | |
| Tito Larriva | ... | Cab Driver |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
El Mariachi 3 (USA) (working title)
more
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence, and for language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
102 min | Italy:101 min (Venice Film Festival)
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:16+ (Quebec) |
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) (Canadian Home Video rating) |
Iceland:16 |
Malaysia:18SG |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:MA |
Brazil:14 |
Finland:K-15 |
France:-12 |
Germany:18 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Ireland:15 |
Italy:T |
Japan:PG-12 |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R16 |
Norway:15 (DVD rating) |
Norway:18 (original rating) |
Philippines:R-18 |
Poland:18 |
Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) |
Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:13 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:15 |
USA:R (#38421)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The role of Sands was originally intended for George Clooney. When he was unavailable, Robert Rodriguez considered Kurt Russell, Bruce Willis, Sean Penn, and Nicolas Cage before deciding on Johnny Depp.
more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: As El Mariachi shoots at the thugs in the church, as he backs down the center aisle, squibs continue to go off behind the thugs even after El stops firing.
more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Agent Sands: I never heard of him.
Belini: Who?
Agent Sands: The man you recommended.
Belini: The guitar fighter?
more
Agent Sands: I never heard of him.
Belini: Who?
Agent Sands: The man you recommended.
Belini: The guitar fighter?
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Ten Minute Flick School: Fast, Cheap and in Control (2004) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Malagueña Salerosa
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (464 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Desperado | Sin City | Live Free or Die Hard | Face/Off | The Punisher |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |














I really enjoyed this film, and while many people say its not got as strong a plotline as El Mariachi and Desperado, I wholeheartedly disagree.
Both El Mariachi & Desperado had rather thin plots with interesting characters and set pieces. While Once upon... hasnt got the same indepth characters as the first 2, it does have a couple of interesting ones. But the actual plot is the difference.
I think the plot is much stronger than people give it credit for and people look down on it because its so different from the first 2.
Its a fairly complex plot, in which a corrupt CIA agent enlists El Mariachi (to kill the General) while informing A drug baron that El Mariachi has resurfaced... The same drug baron has enlisted a rogue General (see above)to overthrow the peoples president who has sworn to put an end to the drug baron... all this and the same CIA agent has convinced a retired FBI agent to put an end to the drug baron who eluded him and both killed and tortured his best friend... and while this is going on El Mariachi goes to get his trusty guitar case and best friends, 2 fellow mariachi's. Finally to add another spin, the CIA agent gets some information which he passes on to his 'friend', a special forces agent, so as to get her a huge commendation if she can take out the drug baron.
Sound confusing? It is, and roll on double cross after double cross. However watch it once or twice and it does make sense, just dont expect your normal 'Mariachi' revenge movie, because its not and infact everyone plays second fiddle to a fantastic Johnny Depp, whose CIA agent is by far the central character.
Much is also made of the 'missing' Salma Hayek who isnt in it nearly enough, now this I do disagree with. Firstly there is the absolutely gorgeous Eva Mendes, who would blow Hayek off the screen anyday of the week, and should be enough for people who only go to see a beautiful girl, and secondly there is no need for her in the plot other than when she does appear.
Personally I would say, you will enjoy this film if its approached right. And I think you would enjoy it more IF you do buy it rather than rent it or watch it on TV as it allows for repeat viewing which is needed for complete clarity!