# Desperado

> 1995 film by Robert Rodriguez

**Wikidata**: [Q465009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q465009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperado_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/desperado

## Summary
Desperado is a 1995 American action thriller film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. It is the second installment in the Mexico Trilogy, a series of films that blend stylized violence, music, and Mexican cultural themes. The film stars Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi, a guitar-playing assassin seeking revenge in a fictionalized Mexican border town.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: Desperado
- **Release Date**: August 25, 1995 (United States)
- **Director**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Writer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Producer**: Elizabeth Avellán
- **Cinematographer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Production Companies**: Columbia Pictures, Los Hooligans Productions
- **Distributor**: Columbia Pictures
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Language**: English, Spanish
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes
- **Genre**: Action, Thriller, Crime
- **Part of Series**: Mexico Trilogy (second film)
- **Sequel**: Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
- **Preceded by**: El Mariachi (1992)
- **IMDb ID**: tt0112851
- **Box Office Gross (Worldwide)**: $2.5 million (United States), $5.6 million (Worldwide)
- **Budget**: $5.5 million
- **Cinematography Format**: 35 mm film
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Digital
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Filming Locations**: Mexico
- **Cast**: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida, Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, Quentin Tarantino (uncredited cameo)
- **Music Composer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Editor**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Cinematographer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Production Designer**: Carlos Rigo Beltrán
- **Costume Designer**: Rita Ryack
- **Visual Effects Supervisor**: Steve Wang
- **Makeup Designer**: Rick Baker
- **Stunts Coordinator**: Charlie Picerni
- **Executive Producer**: Quentin Tarantino
- **Cinematography Equipment**: Arriflex 35 BL-4 camera
- **Film Laboratory**: Deluxe Laboratories
- **Color Process**: Technicolor
- **Negative Format**: 35 mm
- **Print Format**: 35 mm anamorphic
- **Sound System**: Dolby Digital
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Certifications**: MPAA: R (Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian)
- **Awards**: Nominated for Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film (1996)

## FAQs

### What is the plot of Desperado?
Desperado follows El Mariachi, a mysterious guitar player and assassin who returns to Mexico to avenge the death of his lover. He is drawn into a web of crime and corruption in a fictional Mexican border town, where he must confront a powerful drug lord and his henchmen. The film is known for its stylized action sequences, gunfights, and visual flair.

### Is Desperado based on a book or comic?
No, Desperado is an original screenplay written by Robert Rodriguez. It is a sequel to *El Mariachi* (1992) and part of Rodriguez's self-contained Mexico Trilogy. It is not based on a pre-existing novel or comic book.

### How does Desperado relate to El Mariachi?
Desperado is the direct sequel to *El Mariachi* (1992), continuing the story of the guitar-playing assassin. While the first film was a low-budget indie hit, Desperado was produced with a larger budget and features a more polished visual style. It introduces new characters and expands the mythology of the series.

### What is the Mexico Trilogy?
The Mexico Trilogy is a series of three films directed by Robert Rodriguez, centered around the character of El Mariachi. The trilogy includes:
1. *El Mariachi* (1992)
2. *Desperado* (1995)
3. *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003)

Each film explores themes of revenge, violence, and Mexican culture, with Antonio Banderas taking over the lead role from the first film.

### What awards or nominations did Desperado receive?
Desperado was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film in 1996. It received critical acclaim for its visual style and action sequences, though it was not widely recognized by major award bodies.

### What is the significance of Desperado in film history?
Desperado is significant for elevating Robert Rodriguez's profile in Hollywood and showcasing his ability to blend stylized violence with Mexican cultural themes. It demonstrated that low-budget indie filmmakers could transition to mainstream success while maintaining creative control. The film also helped establish Antonio Banderas as a leading action star.

### Who composed the music for Desperado?
The music for Desperado was composed and performed by Robert Rodriguez himself. The soundtrack features a mix of mariachi, rock, and electronic music, which complements the film's high-octane action and Mexican setting.

### What is the runtime of Desperado?
Desperado has a runtime of 100 minutes.

### Where was Desperado filmed?
Desperado was primarily filmed in Mexico, including locations in the fictional town of Santo Carlos and other Mexican border regions. The film's setting is integral to its narrative and visual style.

### What is the rating of Desperado?
Desperado is rated R by the MPAA for "strong violence and language."

## Why It Matters
Desperado is a landmark in independent cinema, showcasing how a filmmaker with a unique vision can scale up from a micro-budget to a studio-backed production. It solidified Robert Rodriguez's reputation as a master of visual storytelling and genre-blending. The film's success paved the way for future entries in the Mexico Trilogy and influenced a generation of filmmakers with its stylized action and music-driven pacing. It also played a role in bringing Mexican culture and aesthetics to mainstream American cinema.

## Notable For
- **Sequel to a Cult Classic**: Direct follow-up to *El Mariachi*, which launched Rodriguez's career.
- **Antonio Banderas Breakthrough**: First major starring role for Banderas in a Rodriguez film.
- **Stylized Violence**: Known for its fast-paced gunfights and visual flair.
- **Music-Driven Narrative**: Features a mariachi soundtrack composed by Rodriguez.
- **Low-Budget Aesthetic**: Maintains the gritty, DIY feel of its predecessor while expanding in scale.
- **Independent Filmmaking Success**: Demonstrated that indie filmmakers could transition to studio projects.
- **Cultural Representation**: Celebrates Mexican culture through music, setting, and characters.
- **Visual Innovation**: Uses anamorphic lenses and high-contrast lighting to create a cinematic look.

## Body

### Production and Development
Desperado was conceived as a sequel to *El Mariachi* (1992), Rodriguez's breakout hit that was made for $7,000. With the success of the first film, Rodriguez secured a larger budget of $5.5 million to produce Desperado. The film was produced by Columbia Pictures and Los Hooligans Productions, with Rodriguez maintaining creative control. It was shot in Mexico using 35 mm anamorphic lenses and featured a more polished visual style than its predecessor.

Rodriguez wrote the screenplay, served as director, cinematographer, and editor, and also composed the film's music. The production team included key collaborators like Elizabeth Avellán (producer), Carlos Rigo Beltrán (production designer), and Rick Baker (makeup designer). The film was shot using Arriflex 35 BL-4 cameras and processed at Deluxe Laboratories.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi, reprising his role from *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003) but not the original *El Mariachi*. Salma Hayek plays Carolina, a key character who aids El Mariachi in his quest for revenge. Joaquim de Almeida plays Bucho, the main antagonist and a powerful drug lord. Other notable cast members include Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, and Quentin Tarantino, who makes a brief uncredited cameo.

### Plot and Themes
Desperado continues the story of El Mariachi, who returns to Mexico seeking vengeance for the death of his lover. The film is set in a fictional Mexican border town and features a series of high-octane action sequences, gunfights, and stylized violence. Themes of revenge, loyalty, and Mexican cultural identity are central to the narrative.

### Visual Style and Cinematography
Rodriguez employed a high-contrast, stylized visual style that blends elements of spaghetti westerns, Mexican mariachi culture, and action cinema. The film was shot in 35 mm anamorphic format with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The cinematography emphasizes dramatic lighting, fast cuts, and dynamic camera movement to create a sense of kinetic energy.

### Music and Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack, composed by Rodriguez, features a mix of mariachi, rock, and electronic music. The music plays a central role in the narrative, with El Mariachi's guitar case doubling as a weapon cache. The soundtrack was released separately and includes tracks like "Desperado" and "Mariachi Mariachi."

### Release and Reception
Desperado premiered in the United States on August 25, 1995. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures and received a limited theatrical release. The film grossed $2.5 million domestically and $5.6 million worldwide, falling short of blockbuster numbers but gaining a cult following.

Critics praised the film's visual style and action sequences, though some noted its thin plot and excessive violence. It was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film in 1996.

### Legacy and Influence
Desperado influenced a generation of independent filmmakers and demonstrated that low-budget aesthetics could be elevated to mainstream appeal. It led to the third installment in the trilogy, *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003), and inspired a wave of similar genre-blending action films.

### Technical Specifications
- **Format**: 35 mm film
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Digital
- **Color Process**: Technicolor
- **Camera**: Arriflex 35 BL-4
- **Laboratory**: Deluxe Laboratories
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes
- **Budget**: $5.5 million
- **Gross Revenue**: $2.5 million (domestic), $5.6 million (worldwide)

### Awards and Recognition
- **Nominations**:
  - Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film (1996)

### Cultural Impact
Desperado played a significant role in bringing Mexican culture to mainstream American cinema. Its blend of mariachi music, stylized violence, and genre-blending influenced a new wave of filmmakers and helped establish Rodriguez as a major voice in independent cinema.

### Related Projects
- **Preceded by**: *El Mariachi* (1992)
- **Followed by**: *Once Upon a Time in Mexico* (2003)
- **Part of**: Mexico Trilogy

### Filmography Connections
- **Director**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Producer**: Elizabeth Avellán
- **Executive Producer**: Quentin Tarantino
- **Cinematographer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Editor**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Composer**: Robert Rodriguez
- **Production Designer**: Carlos Rigo Beltrán
- **Costume Designer**: Rita Ryack
- **Makeup Designer**: Rick Baker
- **Stunts Coordinator**: Charlie Picerni
- **Visual Effects Supervisor**: Steve Wang

### Distribution and Marketing
Desperado was distributed by Columbia Pictures, marking a significant step up from the self-distribution model of *El Mariachi*. The film was marketed primarily to genre fans and independent cinema enthusiasts, with limited theatrical screenings and a strong home video release.

### Critical Reception
Critics praised the film's visual flair and Rodriguez's directorial style, though some found the plot lacking in depth. The film holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.5/10 rating on IMDb.

### Home Media and Streaming
Desperado was released on VHS and DVD shortly after its theatrical run. It has since been made available on various streaming platforms and remains a cult favorite among action and independent film enthusiasts.

## References

1. IMDb
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/desperado-1995)
3. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/desperado-film)
4. FilmAffinity
5. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_21567_A.Balada.do.Pistoleiro-(Desperado).html)
6. AlloCiné
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112851/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. Desperado. Rotten Tomatoes
11. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film3481_desperado.html)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. Kinopoisk
14. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/desperado/)
15. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. film distribution certificate
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19. mymovies.it
20. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/B1B3-F175-EECC-8348-BE7C-T)
21. Danish Film Database
22. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/87341)
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