From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (1999)

Set 100 years ago in Mexico, this horror/western is the story of the birth of the vampire princess Santanico Pandemonium.

Director:

P.J. Pesce

Writers:

Álvaro Rodríguez (screenplay) (as Alvaro Rodriguez), Álvaro Rodríguez (story) (as Alvaro Rodriguez)

Stars:

Marco Leonardi, Michael Parks, Temuera Morrison

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marco Leonardi	...	Johnny Madrid
Michael Parks	...	Ambrose Bierce
Temuera Morrison	...	The Hangman
Rebecca Gayheart	...	Mary Newlie
Ara Celi	...	Esmeralda
Lennie Loftin	...	John Newlie
Sônia Braga	...	Quixtla (as Sonia Braga)
Orlando Jones	...	Ezra Traylor
Danny Trejo	...	Razor Charlie
Jordana Spiro	...	Reece
Kevin Smith	...	Joaquin
Terence Bridgett	...	Chato
Mickey Giacomazzi	...	Erasmo
Ivan D. Lucas	...	Shotgun
Tom Berto	...	Stagecoach Driver

Storyline

"Prequel" to the first From Dusk Till Dawn is set in Mexico in the early 1900's which begins with the escape of Johnny Madrid, a dangerous local outlaw, from the gallows who then kidnaps his hangman's beautiful daughter, Esmeralda, with a little help from Reece, a female outlaw from the U.S. With the hangman and a local posse on their trail, Johnny meets with his gang who all rob a stagecoach which contains American author Ambrose Bierce along with newlywed couple John and Mary Newlie. As night falls, all parties coincidentally seek shelter in an isolated inn/whorehouse which is run by vampires led by the high priestess Quixtla who targets Esmeralda. Esmeralda is revealed to be the half-human, half-vampire princess Santanico Pandemonium, whom the vampires want as their heir in which all the humans must join forces if they are to survive the night from the vicious blood-suckers.

---

Plot Keywords:

outlaw | wild west | whipping | horror western | vampire | 

---

Genres:

Horror | Thriller | Western

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence/gore, sexuality/nudity and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Buena Vista Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hangman's Daughter

Filming Locations:

Cedarberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape province, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,617

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, A Band Apart, Los Hooligans Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At about 15 minutes we hear a variation on the classic "If I tell you, I'll have to kill you."

---

Goofs

When Johnny and Esmeralda are riding to entrance of abandoned inn, the lights (electrical) of some city far at a horizon are clearly visible.

---

Quotes

Bartender: Senor, a lot of white folks go missing in these parts. Can I ask your name in case someone come looking?
Ambrose Bierce: Bierce. Ambrose Bierce. And no one will come looking.

---

Crazy Credits

There's an extra scene involving Ambrose after the end credits finish.

---

Alternate Versions

The DVD features a deleted scene which is set in present time. Here a man (Michael Parks) tells another one (P.J. Pesce) the story of the film. He doesn't believe him so Parks rips out Pesce's heart.

---

Connections

References From Russia with Love (1963)

---

Soundtracks

La Tortolita
Traditional, Arranged by Juan Reynoso
Performed by Juan Reynoso
Courtesy of Discos Corcason
By Arrangement with Rounder Records and Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

Wild, Wild Vampires?...

This third installment to the "From Dusk to Dawn" movies is a prequel, as it takes place in the old West in American history. Initially one might think vampires and the wild West doesn't make for a good combination, but the movie was actually enjoyable. While better than part two, this movie still fell short of part one.

The story in "From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter" is essentially exactly the same as in the first two movies. A band of outlaws and holy men and up at a seemingly deserted tavern in a secluded location. As night falls, the patrons turn into blood-thirsty vampires.

The characters in the third movie were more detailed than those in part two, and as such you get more into the movie and a greater wholeness permeates the overall storyline.

As for the acting talents in the movie, then people were doing fair jobs with their given roles and characters. It is, as always, a treat to have Danny Trejo in a movie, alongside the other familiar faces in the movie.

While better than part two, this is not a movie that will make a lasting impression, nor is it a bright shiny moment in cinema history. "From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter" is exactly what you would expect from a movie of this type. It is enjoyable enough for what it turned out to be.

The first movie stands well on its own. The second movie is just a filler. And the third movie is essentially also just a filler, although it does show the origin of the seductive Santanico Pandemonium character from the first movie.