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El Mariachi
El Mariachi
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El Mariachi

El Mariachi

1993
Suspense/Thriller, Crime
1h 21m
In this action adventure film a lone Mariachi musician enters a small town at the same time as a hitman. They both wear black and carry similar guitar cases, except the Mariachi's contains his beloved guitar and the hitman's is full of weapons--as a result the Mariachi finds himself ushered into a violent underworld of crime. (Sony)

Directed by:

Robert Rodriguez

Screenwriter:

Robert Rodriguez

Starring:

Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Jaime de Hoyos, Peter Marquardt, Reinol Martinez, Ramiro Gómez

Franchise:

El Mariachi

Genres:

Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Action

Countries:

Mexico, USA

Languages:

English, Spanish
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El Mariachi

1993
Suspense/Thriller, Crime
1h 21m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 49.37% from 2540 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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terrymacterrymac
Rated 18 Aug 2020
69
54th
This was enjoyable and surprisingly well put together. It's clear that the budget was tiny, but a lot was accomplished with those meagre funds. A few of the twisty-turny moments left me thinking of Tales of the Unexpected (the TV series), and why did the lead remind me of Steve Guttenberg? It had been lurking on my shelf for years, but I'm glad I got round to it.
Rated 18 Aug 2020
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 21 Feb 2016
86
66th
A stylish depiction of a simple story. Rodriguez crafts a super low budget masterpiece of independent cinema. The story might be straight forward but it's incredibly entertaining. The violence is gritty but not over the top, the acting is commendable for a low budget project, and there is a subtle sense of humor, both in the script as well as in the editing. It's a film that holds its head up and says "Anyone can make movies if they try."
Rated 21 Feb 2016
paxtonPaxton
Rated 06 Jul 2018
90
90th
The sort of movie that laughs at your excuses for not making your own movie. If you're honestly thinking this movie is lacking something that Desperado has, you're right. It doesn't have Enrique Iglesius.
Rated 06 Jul 2018
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 13 Nov 2014
72
56th
Fresh and vigorous no-budget nonstop action that gives the finger to all competing blockbusters and shows what the genre is all about (hint for the studios: not money). Not any kind of masterpiece though.
Rated 13 Nov 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 15 Jul 2014
70
56th
While I think this movie is cool I prefer the book Robert Rodriguez wrote about making the movie more.
Rated 15 Jul 2014
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 20 May 2012
66
66th
Not a classic or a masterpiece, but actually an unique cinematic and creative achievement by Rodriguez: he did everything by himself just to tell a simple story of a mariachi turned assassin, in this strange, western-like little town in Mexico oppressed by the power of one white guy. The greatest thing here is that this film also manages to be very funny. Not the best independent feature, but certainly one of the most important.
Rated 20 May 2012
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 02 May 2011
60
53rd
Crazy Indie action movie made for less than a dime? Aww! Come here, you!
Rated 02 May 2011
childintimechildintime
Rated 04 Feb 2009
80
87th
two words - fuckin' cult
Rated 04 Feb 2009
detoxDetox
Rated 23 Jun 2008
58
26th
Why should this be a masterpiece?
Rated 23 Jun 2008
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
6
71st
It's an absolute must-watch for any film buff if only for the pocketchange budget on which a pretty darn decent action flick was made. But even viewed independent of its backstory, you can't deny that Robert Rodriguez has a unique, inventive, entertainingly dirty style that makes for a pulpy good time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 28 Jan 2020
90
84th
Excellent debut effort from Rodriguez is at times a pretty blatant paraphrase/rip-off of early Leone (especially FISTFUL) but the energy and vitality both behind the camera and in front gives this its own edge, along with the urgency of working on a shoestring (though you wouldn't guess it from the production values). Thrilling action finale is about as exciting as any other more ambitious actioners.
Rated 28 Jan 2020
yiannosYiannos
Rated 07 Oct 2015
70
72nd
It seemed like a revelation back in 1993, but it has certainly lost something over the years now that the mystique has worn off and Rodriguez's limitations as a film maker are in plain view. That hardly diminishes the accomplishment of his micro-budget debut though, which has more charm than most Hollywood blockbusters. His simple tale of mistaken identity leading to bloodshed is creative and compelling with a sub-Leone type mythical atmopshere garnished with offbeat humour.
Rated 07 Oct 2015
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 19 Jun 2014
75
66th
Nothing too great but considering how it was made El Mariachi is extremely impressive. The more you know about the production the better the experience watching the film will be. A very promising start for Robert Rodriguez who went on to do better films.
Rated 19 Jun 2014
metzmetz
Rated 13 Aug 2012
50
58th
Mostly entertaining if you previously read RR book "Rebel without crew". Otherwise I recommend seeing Desperado instead.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
troothTrooth
Rated 23 Nov 2011
65
39th
Not nearly as over-the-top as the sequels, but it's still good to see how the trilogy started. If this is supposed to be Rodriguez's "Dollars" trilogy, I don't think this stands up to Fistful of Dollars. Still pretty good for how low the budget was, though.
Rated 23 Nov 2011
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 04 Jul 2009
77
61st
For 7,000 dollars, this film is brilliant. For a film in general, it is a fun and exciting action film well worth a watch.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
inhmninhmn
Rated 18 Jan 2009
90
61st
low-fi genius
Rated 18 Jan 2009
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 16 Nov 2008
45
8th
Boring and terrible.
Rated 16 Nov 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 02 Sep 2008
82
77th
Remade by Rodriguez later into the indecipherable Desperado, El Mariachi surpasses its later incarnation thanks to the grittiness and joy of a film made on no budget - its reality more grounded thanks to its lack of insincere explosions and sex appeal. The violence in Mariachi can get corny (in a Sonny Chiba kind of way) but its story remains constant, and even without knowing its budget, Mariachi comes off as a decent genre picture, and a tale of redemption worth sticking through.
Rated 02 Sep 2008
cinemahellcinema_hell
Rated 24 Aug 2008
50
9th
Overrated. I don't know why the hell Tarantino loves this guy...
Rated 24 Aug 2008
derbarneyDer_Barney
Rated 18 Apr 2008
30
0th
BOOOO-RING. This is just about the only movie that made me fall asleep, EVER.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
77th
Liked it. A lot. Desperado was good but this was better, even without Salma Hayek
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lachapellelachapelle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
89th
This is one of my all time favorite flicks. This is why I love Robert Rodriguez. I had never seen a movie like this before and found it to be completely engrosing. This is one his best films and you must go see this film, now.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kevin_ruffoKevin Ruffo
Rated 23 Aug 2024
60
34th
i just hope the sunglasses dog returns for the trilogy
Rated 23 Aug 2024
mredlich21mredlich21
Rated 23 May 2020
90
64th
The ideas are great, and the vision is original, it is just a little bit rough.
Rated 23 May 2020
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 09 Mar 2019
78
4th
78.00
Rated 09 Mar 2019
skapskap
Rated 04 Mar 2018
80
57th
Excellent entertainment
Rated 04 Mar 2018
aalperraaaalperraa
Rated 03 Mar 2018
70
42nd
01.03.2018, Istanbul
Rated 03 Mar 2018
kingofjewkingofjew
Rated 28 Jan 2018
74
59th
A near perfect indie starter up flick for the legendary director robert Rodriguez. made for a mere 7 grand, it made a huge splash and commenced the rise of one of the most prolific directors in the bizz
Rated 28 Jan 2018
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 23 Jun 2017
74
39th
Story has a lot of really slow, drawn out, boring moments, but the action compensates very well, and the final act is incredible. Impressive quality given its budget, and Rodriguez has a really good eye with the camera.
Rated 23 Jun 2017
filmseekingfilmseeking
Rated 25 Mar 2016
68
67th
Very enjoyable. Every second you feel that Rodriguez didn't have any money for this, but what he did with the little he had is just amazing!
Rated 25 Mar 2016
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 11 Jan 2016
69
44th
Fun and lightweight but the DIY charm nails it.
Rated 11 Jan 2016
janusjanus
Rated 27 Dec 2015
50
19th
An admirable achievement for its miniscule budget but not really by any other standard. Although I've really liked some of Rodriguez's films since and this is to thank for them, it's still a little disappointing to see an independent artist make by-the-numbers work in the express interest of selling out (see also: Equinox). (Disclaimer: broadcast TV airing, 4:3 with ad breaks and potential cuts.)
Rated 27 Dec 2015
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 07 Dec 2015
5
19th
Rodriguez deserves props for the inventiveness and pulp style he brought to the table to craft the low-budgeted 'El Mariachi.' That being said, the film was admittedly a practice project for the director, and with its less than impressive story and action sequences, it shows.
Rated 07 Dec 2015
hakkanarejohakkanarejo
Rated 04 Sep 2015
92
47th
All he wants is to be a Mariachi, like his father, his grandfather and his great grandfather before him. But the town he thinks will bring him luck brings him only a curse of deadly mistaken identity. Forced to trade his guitar for a gun, the mariachi is playing for his life.
Rated 04 Sep 2015
natebarriosnatebarrios
Rated 27 May 2014
70
58th
Somehow manages to be rough around the edges and slick at the same time. Super energetic.
Rated 27 May 2014
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 26 Jan 2014
72
32nd
It's entertaining but really uneven. The low budget sometimes works in its favour, particularly the look of the film and the action scenes, but the acting is pretty bad and the film feels pretty shallow.
Rated 26 Jan 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 06 Jan 2013
85
83rd
84.500
Rated 06 Jan 2013
msdstcmsdstc
Rated 25 Dec 2012
55
53rd
Impressive for what it's worth.
Rated 25 Dec 2012
ktulurisesktulurises
Rated 03 Jul 2012
80
50th
Trendsetting low budget fun. Still the most effective Rodriguez film.
Rated 03 Jul 2012
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 05 May 2012
64
39th
Looks cheap, with shoddy camera work and an awful foley, but for all that, it's a solid debut from Rodriguez. You can see the seeds of his better, later work.
Rated 05 May 2012
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 01 Apr 2012
72
78th
The movie has some excellent chase scenes, good characterization and an awesome ending for an otherwise average plot. Albeit the immensely low budget does rear its head in from time to time, El Mariachi proves that a good movie is defined in its ability to entertain rather than the amount of special effects you can create.
Rated 01 Apr 2012
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 07 Feb 2012
70
77th
El Mariachi is a film that was made for such a cheap amount that it's hard to hate it even if it wasn't all that good. Thankfully, it's a fun action film that will give you a great deal of entertainment, even if characters and a real plot are forgotten about. Maybe this was a situation where you could only have one of the three, and since the most enthralling by itself is pure action, that's what was chosen. Whether that's the case or not, this is a film that's a ball to watch.
Rated 07 Feb 2012
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 25 Jan 2012
69
36th
gitar, gitarist, meksika, mafya hesaplasmasi, (kendini iki mafya grubunun arasinda bulan bir gitaristin (el mariachinin) hikayesi. Elindeki gitar kutusu onun baska biriyle karistirilmasina neden olur.)
Rated 25 Jan 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 19 Dec 2011
78
72nd
This is a well documented low budget film. Rodriguez does a great job with a small budget, making an entertaining film. A must see for anyone is interested in film making.
Rated 19 Dec 2011
glmglm
Rated 01 Sep 2011
84
77th
84.250
Rated 01 Sep 2011
glmissexyglm_is_sexy
Rated 15 Jul 2011
72
36th
71.500
Rated 15 Jul 2011
kavuKavu
Rated 10 Feb 2011
70
48th
The ultra-low budget gives it some charm and Rodriguez is already directing quite well, even though he claimed to be practicing with this one.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 15 Mar 2010
8
79th
The Mariachi trilogy starts off strongly. Impressive for the budget it was made on also. I wrote a paper on this film to get into my course on a side note.
Rated 15 Mar 2010
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 18 Feb 2010
80
80th
Impressive, for a production so cheap. The story is simple, but it is fun and exciting. The performances are quite amateur, but it does not matter much, the final balance is positive.
Rated 18 Feb 2010
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 21 Dec 2009
75
27th
Pretty cool for a low budget effort.
Rated 21 Dec 2009
wcnitzwcnitz
Rated 17 Aug 2009
86
88th
A fine film for what it is - gun-toting action with some snappy dialogue.
Rated 17 Aug 2009
fantacbobFantacBob
Rated 12 Jun 2009
75
90th
Low budget but great story.
Rated 12 Jun 2009
jacoiiiJacoIII
Rated 17 Apr 2009
40
54th
Rodriguez's first film is also probably his most fun. I wanted some mindless bloody violence and maybe some humour and "El Mariachi" delivers.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
stainStain
Rated 27 Mar 2009
60
47th
Yeah yeah yeah $7000 budget Rodriguez is a genius blah blah blah. I'm still not *that* impressed here with what's actually on screen
Rated 27 Mar 2009
moviesinhellmoviesinhell
Rated 22 Mar 2009
75
54th
Initially lensed for $7,000 -- less than what it probably costs to feed and care for Arnold Schwarzenegger for a day -- Rodriguez's celluloid debut (reportedly audiovisually sweetened to the tune of an additional $150,000 of post-production prior to its theatrical release) at once conforms to, spoofs, and transcends the type of Mexican-border actioner that used to play Times Square's Hollywood Twin and still proliferates on video via titles like _Border Wars_.
Rated 22 Mar 2009
lphovercraftLPhovercraft
Rated 15 Mar 2009
43
30th
This contemporary shoot-'em-up semi-spoofs spaghetti Westerns and Mexican action flicks. It's a visually choppy, grungy gem -- shot on a 14-day, $7,000 schedule and cleaned up somewhat by Columbia Pictures before release.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
ninjacow7ninjacow7
Rated 05 Feb 2009
65
28th
Great considering it's almost non-existent budget.
Rated 05 Feb 2009
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 31 Dec 2008
80
79th
Most films spend more on tea bags than this ones entire budget. And while it's not exactly pretty, it shows that the most important parts of a movie are the script, the actors and the director. While far from perfect, this is a concise movie with a clever plot and some unique moments. Let down at times by dodgy acting (the female lead and Moco towards the end being the biggest culprits) and some iffy shooting/editing probably due to budget constraints, this is a damned fine first film
Rated 31 Dec 2008
jcicconejciccone
Rated 04 Dec 2008
85
65th
I like this film. Robert Rodriguez did make a strong debut with this film. good story and well done for a low budget film.
Rated 04 Dec 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 23 Sep 2008
81
73rd
A really well done movie because Rodriguez managed to deliver a good movie with more or less no budget.
Rated 23 Sep 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Jun 2008
86
96th
Very Nice
Rated 14 Jun 2008
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 19 May 2008
62
18th
A stupid idea when not carried out by Antonio Bandaras, I'm usually not one to say this, but when I'm reading subtitles I can't see the action very well, and since this is an action movie that's a problem. Rodriguez fails to find good actors, and also can't write good dialogue.
Rated 19 May 2008
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 07 Apr 2008
65
22nd
Considering the budget, this is a masterpiece!
Rated 07 Apr 2008
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 18 Mar 2008
65
39th
Made for $3,000 and it somewhat shows. Still, if you can get past that then there is a decent action film in here.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
deproductiondeproduction
Rated 02 Feb 2008
82
57th
I get that we're all supposed to think RR is so brilliant. He seems like a great guy, but his films aim so low. El Mariachi was by far the best, and to me, that isn't saying much.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
chompaChompa
Rated 16 Jan 2008
88
88th
Rodriguez's first film. Filmed in cheap black and white, it shows early elements of his trademark shots.
Rated 16 Jan 2008
amerigoamerigo
Rated 03 Nov 2007
65
12th
This movie is pretty much perfect... if you're an 11 year old boy. I can envision myself coming up with a similar script and had I a camera, shooting in much the same style.
Rated 03 Nov 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
70
63rd
super low budget action film manages to be mildly entertaining.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
ugagermanUgagerman
Rated 14 Sep 2007
65
24th
Nice initial work from Rodriguez.
Rated 14 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 21 Aug 2007
95
98th
One of the best action movies I've ever seen, Rodriguez's finest so far.
Rated 21 Aug 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 15 Aug 2007
72
56th
This mediocre film stands as a testament to what great filmmakers can do with a limited budget.
Rated 15 Aug 2007
gareth_watkinsGareth Watkins
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
65th
The first movie in what became the El Mariachi trilogy was Robert Rodriguez warning shot to the world of movies that he had arrived. A debut that is better than a lot of directors later movies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stvesaStVeSa
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
57th
Good mostly because it leads to Desperado.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
actionbergActionberg
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
71st
Great example of low-budget filmmaking. Hell of an action flick.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
redmachinedredmachined
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
83rd
Two words: hell yes.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
neuroticerotNeuroticErot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
56th
Bonus points for inspiring the book "Rebel without a crew"
Rated 14 Aug 2007
servantdagonServantDagon
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
35th
Low budget awesomeness.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fabfunkfabfunk
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
41st
Modest low-fi actioner from south of the border. Inventive at points, tedious at others.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mystericemysterice
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
55th
A cool indie classic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kerrekKerrek
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
91st
Awesome
Rated 14 Aug 2007
big_lemonsBig Lemons
Rated 08 Jul 2007
79
37th
Great early Rodriguez
Rated 08 Jul 2007
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 25 May 2007
80
61st
Funny, weird, and actually surprisingly intense in some places. Amazing start to a great trilogy.
Rated 25 May 2007
jeg2jeg2
Rated 25 Feb 2007
85
96th
Maybe the most movie ever made for under $10,000.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
krylyrkrylyr
Rated 26 Jan 2007
89
58th
A $7,000 movie has no right to be this much fun.
Rated 26 Jan 2007

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