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Desperado

  • 1995
  • R
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
205K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,623
4
Antonio Banderas in Desperado (1995)
text os
Play trailer1:59
1 Video
99+ Photos
Contemporary WesternDrug CrimeGun FuOne-Person Army ActionActionCrimeDramaThrillerWestern

Former musician and gunslinger El Mariachi arrives at a small Mexican border town after being away for a long time. His past quickly catches up with him and he soon gets entangled with the l... Read allFormer musician and gunslinger El Mariachi arrives at a small Mexican border town after being away for a long time. His past quickly catches up with him and he soon gets entangled with the local drug kingpin Bucho and his gang.Former musician and gunslinger El Mariachi arrives at a small Mexican border town after being away for a long time. His past quickly catches up with him and he soon gets entangled with the local drug kingpin Bucho and his gang.

  • Director
    • Robert Rodriguez
  • Writer
    • Robert Rodriguez
  • Stars
    • Antonio Banderas
    • Salma Hayek
    • Joaquim de Almeida
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    205K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,623
    4
    • Director
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • Writer
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • Stars
      • Antonio Banderas
      • Salma Hayek
      • Joaquim de Almeida
    • 275User reviews
    • 63Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Desperado
    Trailer 1:59
    Desperado

    Photos118

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    Top cast30

    Edit
    Antonio Banderas
    Antonio Banderas
    • El Mariachi
    Salma Hayek
    Salma Hayek
    • Carolina
    Joaquim de Almeida
    Joaquim de Almeida
    • Bucho
    Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    • Short Bartender
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Buscemi
    Carlos Gómez
    Carlos Gómez
    • Right Hand
    • (as Carlos Gomez)
    Quentin Tarantino
    Quentin Tarantino
    • Pick-up Guy
    Tito Larriva
    Tito Larriva
    • Tavo
    Angel Aviles
    • Zamira
    Danny Trejo
    Danny Trejo
    • Navajas
    Abraham Verduzco
    • Niño
    Carlos Gallardo
    Carlos Gallardo
    • Campa
    Albert Michel Jr.
    • Quino
    David Alvarado
    • Buddy
    Angela Lanza
    Angela Lanza
    • Tourist Girl
    Mike Moroff
    Mike Moroff
    • Shrug
    Robert Arevalo
    Robert Arevalo
    • Opponent
    Gerardo Moscoso
    • Priest
    • Director
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • Writer
      • Robert Rodriguez
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews275

    7.1204.7K
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    Featured reviews

    7Rob_Taylor

    The best all-round film of the three...

    After watching El Mariachi, it was easy to see the improvement in production values between the two. Not surprising, considering the difference in the price tag of the two films. But, as I pointed out in my El Mariachi review, money isn't everything.

    Although better visually, Desperado benefits from better actors who bring more life to the characters. The overall effect, given another reasonable plot, is to make a much more polished looking film that deservedly did as well as it did at the box office.

    The aforementioned plot is, essentially, the same as the first film when you boil it down - the Mariachi ends up killing a lot of no-good drug-dealers and warlords etc. - and there's the obligatory love interest. But although very similar, this movie was more enjoyable due to it's overall finish and style.

    I originally watched this movie some years ago, long before I got to see the original El Mariachi, so I suppose I am a little biased in preferring this one to the the first in that Banderas IS the Mariachi as far as I was concerned. But not to knock the first movie, which tells us the early history of the Mariachi, and is a worthy film in its own right.

    Desperado is good, if sometimes a little gory, fun. Nothing to analyse too much, just enjoy. If you have the opportunity, watch the original, then this one and things will make a lot more sense. Desperado has enough back history woven into it to make it a standalone film, but the overall experience is better watching the two back to back.
    7Dockelektro

    I absolutely, absolutely, ABSOLUTELY love it!

    A true 90's cowboy movie, everyone who saw El Mariachi could foresee that this picture would take the concept to the top. Fast-paced, greatly shot, incredibly edited, this movie refuses to take itself seriously and is well-succeeded in so. Antonio Banderas is the perfect Mariachi, adding a new depth to the first movie's main character. He seeks revenge. Revenge for all the things they did to him. And he will get it, the easy way or the hard way. Fellow portuguese Joaquim de Almeida is Bucho, the villain, whose relationship with El Mariachi turns out quite surprising near the end. Until they both meet, there will be much gun-slinging action to fill the screen with anthological scenes, like the bar fight, the "Quedate Aqui" song and the final showdown. The movie is a comedy, even in the action scenes. I guarantee it, it's two hours of fun and a visible influence of the Westerns and B-Movies in someone's talent. Cracking good fun, which becomes addictive. Memorable movie.
    10moviemeister1

    plot,we don't need no stinking plot

    I've heard many people say that they couldn't follow the plot of this flick.I think they totally missed the point of this movie.ITS AN ACTION MOVIE.thats the whole plot.Its called lets find the bad guy,and his henchmen,and kill them.I thought it was absolute genius.Skip the plot,and go straight to the action.Banderas was pure fire.All his emotions smouldering just beneath the surface.The stunts and effects were first rate and extremely entertaining.Even the extras did great work.I would recommend this film to anyone who is wanting some great entertainment.Mark me don't go looking for some Oscar winning dramatic performances.But it is fun,pure unadulterated fun.Also the photography is absolutely first rate.As is the almost Kubrickesque atmosphere of the film.Ydnar
    8Captain_Couth

    Robert Rodriguez's sequel-cum-remake of El Mariachi.

    Desperado (1995) was a fun and big budgeted version of Desperado. Robert Rodriguez has fun with the film and the characters from El MARIACHI. Antonio Banderas stars as the mythical El Mariachi whilst Salma Hayyek co-stars as his love interest. Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Steve Buscemi and Quentin Tarantino are among the other stars who make guest star appearances.

    El Mariachi is hiding out in another small desert town. He's become a legendary vigilante who's still seeking out justice for his dead girlfriend. He has a companion (Steve Buscemi) who helps him out find those who were connected to the boss from the first film. During one of his hits, a hired gun from another crime family comes into town (Danny Trejo). He also fits the description of El Mariachi (somewhat). A local book dealer (Salma Hayek) crosses paths with the legendary crime fighter. Who is the man behind all of El Mariachi's sorrow? Why is he so desperate to single handedly trying to crush the crime in the area? How does he do it by himself? Is he that good? To find out the answers for all of these questions you'll just have to watch DESPERADO.

    A fun second parter to EL MARIACHI. Unlike most sequels, you don't need to watch the first film to enjoy this one. It's just another entertaining film that'll burn some time. Enjoy!

    Highly recommended.
    Chrysanthepop

    Watch Out, El Mariachi Is Back!

    Rodriguez follows up 'El Mariachi' with 'Desperado'. Many seem to have preferred the raw look that 'El Mariachi' had and while 'Desperado' is more 'sophisticated' in the making and more polished, that doesn't prevent it from being an awesome action entertainer. For me, it was just as much fun as 'El Mariachi'. Rodriguez does what he does best. He already mentioned that his Mariachi films are a tribute to the western cinema that names like Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood defined and 'Desperado' works perfectly with its comic book story, quirky characters and over-the-top action sequences. Moving at a rapid pace, the direction and editing are top notch. The cinematography is brilliant too. Antonio Banderas does a good job taking over the role from Carlos Gallardo (who sort of plays his sidekick in this one). However, it is Salma Hayek that steals the show even though the story is dominated by El Mariachi. As Carolina, she is sensual, witty, charming and quite clever too. Hayek delivers a very natural performance and owns each and every one of her scenes. In addition, there are some wonderful cameos by Cheech Marin, Quentin Tarantino, Steve Buscemi and Danny Trejo. Overall, 'Desperado' is full throttle entertainment. This is what an action entertainer is supposed to be.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The bathroom scene before the 2nd bar shootout was directed by Antonio Banderas. Robert Rodriguez said he didn't like using 2nd unit crews and Banderas asked if he could direct the scene, to which Rodriguez agreed.
    • Goofs
      During the library shoot-out, the Mariachi's shotgun - a weapon that can only hold two cartridges at a time - is fired five times without reloading.
    • Quotes

      Pick-up Guy: [sitting at the counter inside the Tarasco Bar] This reminds me of a joke. This guy comes into a bar, walks up to the bartender. Says, "Bartender, I got me a bet for you. I'm gonna bet you $300 that I can piss into that glass over there and not spill a single, solitary drop." The bartender looks. I mean, we're talking, like, this glass is like a good ten feet away. He says, "Now wait, let me get this strait. You're tryin' to tell me you'll bet me $300 that you can piss, standing over here, way over there into that glass, and not spill a single drop?" Customer looks up and says, "That's right." Bartender says, "Young man, you got a bet." The guy goes, "Okay, here we go. Here we go." Pulls out his thing. He's lookin' at the glass, man. He's thinkin' about the glass. He's thinkin' about the glass. Glass. He's thinkin' about the glass, glass. Thinkin' about his dick. Dick, glass, dick, glass, dick, glass, dick, glass, dick, glass, dick, glass, dick, glass. And then, *foosh*, he lets it rip. And he-he's pisses all over the place, man. He's pissin' on the bar. He pissin' on the stools, on the floor, on the phone, on the bartender! He's pissing everywhere *except* the fucking glass! Right? Okay. So, bartender, he's laughing his fuckin' ass off. He's $300 richer. He's like, "Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Piss dripping off his face. "Ha, ha, ha, ha!" He says, "You fucking idiot, man! You got it in everything except the glass! You owe me $300 punta." Guy goes, "Excuse me just one-one little second." Goes in the back of the bar. In back, there's a couple of guys playing pool. He walks over to them. Comes back to the bar. Goes, "Here you go, Mr. Bartender, 300." And the bartender's like, "What the fuck are you so happy about? You just lost $300, idiot!" The guy says, "Well, see those guys over there? I just bet them $500 a piece that I could piss on your bar, piss on your floor, piss on your phone, and piss on you, and not only would you not be mad about it, you'd be happy."

    • Alternate versions
      Finnish video version is cut by 38 seconds.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Anti-Hero's Journey (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Six Blade Knife
      Written by Mark Knopfler

      Performed by Dire Straits

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products and PolyGram Record

      Operations Ltd.

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    FAQ24

    • How long is Desperado?Powered by Alexa
    • Is this a remake of El Mariachi?
    • Is this really a sequel?
    • Why don't any police ever show up at any of the numerous shootouts?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 25, 1995 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Pistolero
    • Filming locations
      • Ciudad Acuña, Coahuíla, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Los Hooligans Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,405,445
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,910,446
      • Aug 27, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,406,131
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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