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About this movie

Genres:
Action & Adventure, Spanish Language
Language:
English
Running time:
1:21:41
Partner rating:
R
Released:

Cast & Crew

Cast

  1. Carlos Gallardo El Mariachi
  2. Consuelo Gomez Domino
  3. Peter Marquardt Mauricio Moco
  4. Reinol Martinez Azul
  5. Ramiro Gomez Cantinero
  6. Juan Garcia Moco's Men
  7. Maria Castillo Jail Guard
  8. Fernando Martinez Azul's Rat
  9. Jaime DeHoyos Bigoton

Directors

  1. Robert Rodriguez

Producers

  1. Robert Rodriguez
  2. Carlos Gallardo

Writers

  1. Robert Rodriguez

El Mariachi

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Filmed in two weeks on a budget of 7,000 dollars, El Mariachi was one of the singular pleasures of the 1993-1994 movie season. Kind-spirited guitarist El Mariachi (Carlos M. Gallardo) simply wants to wander through life as his father and grandfather did, with a song in his heart and a smile on his lips. He wanders into a small mob-run town, guitar case in hand. It so happens that the local criminal element is awaiting the arrival of vicious hit man Azul (Reinol Martinez), who is well known for carrying his weapons in...a guitar case. Just when you think you've got a lock on what's going to happen next, director Robert Rodriguez throws us for a loop, unexpectedly alternating whimsical comedy with graphic violence. Rodriguez later retooled the plot of El Mariachi for his far more expensive (and far less satisfying) Antonio Banderas vehicle Desperado (1995).

Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes

Scored 'fresh' by Rotten Tomatoes

93%Tomatometer score: 93% positive reviews from professional critics.

percent positive reviews

  1. Positive review
    Todd McCarthy, Variety Has a verve and cheekiness that's partly a smart wedding of such influences as Sergio Leone, George Miller and south-of-the-border noir. Full review External link
  2. Positive review
    Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader Juicy, adroit, and likable. Full review External link
  3. Positive review
    Geoff Andrew, Time Out Rodriguez goes for broke with a breakneck pace, swarms of bullets, cinematic tricks, and a tone as playful as it is knowing of genre conventions. The director's light touch is all his own; and this unpretentious offering delivers in all departments. Full review External link
  4. Positive review
    Janet Maslin, New York Times It goes without saying that Mr. Rodriguez, having made such a clever and inventive debut, is prepared for a big future of his own. Full review External link
  5. Positive review
    James Berardinelli, ReelViews A gripping, tautly-paced action flick that outdoes most of Hollywood's similar output. Full review External link
  6. Positive review
    Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times An enormously entertaining movie. Full review External link
  7. Positive review
    Hal Hinson, Washington Post Watching his film, you can feel the sheer joy that went into its creation. Full review External link

Read more reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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