El Mariachi (1992)

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

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writer:

Robert Rodriguez

Stars:

Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Jaime de Hoyos

7 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

El Mariachi just wants to play his guitar and carry on the family tradition. Unfortunately, the town he tries to find work in has another visitor...a killer who carries his guns in a guitar case. The drug lord and his henchmen mistake El Mariachi for the killer, Azul, and chase him around town trying to kill him and get his guitar case.

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Plot Keywords:

female bartender | attempted rape | female prison guard | love triangle | bikini | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

No storyboards exist for the film, as Robert Rodriguez had no other crew members to show them to.

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Goofs

When the piano player finishes his song, he slides his hand from the viewer's left to the viewer's right, which would in actuality produce a glissando that descends in pitch, rather than the ascending one that appears on the soundtrack (it would be from the high end of the keyboard to the low end).

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

In the beginning credits, Robert Rodriguez is listed as the editor. In the ending credits he gets sole credit for additional editing.

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Alternate Versions

In addition to the subtitled version, Columbia had an English dubbed version prepared for home video release in the United States.

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Connections

Referenced in South of 8 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Ganas De Vivir
Written and Performed by Juan Suarez

User Reviews

a simple yet impressively made film

What could easily be viewed as just a simple B-movie turns into an impressive, gritty and action-packed independent feature from director Robert Rodriguez. It's the volatile, gripping story of a wandering guitarist who arrives in a small Mexican town looking for a big break, but unfortunately a case of mistaken identity makes him the target of the town's cold-blooded boss and his vile henchmen who are bent on killing him. Shot for a remarkable $7,000, and featuring a cast of newcomers and generally unknowns, this formidable little feature still packs a punch with violent, pumped-up action scenes and credible performances. Nothing ever truly breathtaking, but a respectable showing nonetheless. ***

Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

26 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

El Mariachi

Filming Locations:

Coahuíla, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$312,528, 28 February 1993

Gross USA:

$2,040,920

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,040,920

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Los Hooligans Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1