El Mariachi is a low-budget action film directed and written by Robert Rodriguez, and it stars Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gรณmez, and Peter Marquardt in the main roles. The film was released in 1992, and it was Rodriguez's debut feature. The movie is known for its fast-paced action, stylish cinematography, and unique plot.
El Mariachi, played by Gallardo, is a musician who travels from town to town, hoping to find gigs and make some money with his guitar. He arrives in a small Mexican town and starts playing in local bars and restaurants. However, he soon finds out that the town is controlled by a drug lord named Moco, played by Marquardt, who enforces his rule through violence and intimidation.
At the same time, a hitman named Azul, played by Reynaldo Villalobos, arrives in town with a guitar case that contains a cache of weapons. Azul is hired by Moco to kill his enemies, but he gets into a shootout with the police and is wounded. Azul is taken to a local doctor, who happens to be El Mariachi's friend.
While El Mariachi is playing at a local bar, Moco's henchmen mistake him for Azul and shoot up the place. El Mariachi escapes and seeks refuge at his friend's place. However, Moco's men find him there and attack him. El Mariachi fights back with his guitar, which he has modified to conceal weapons.
After a series of chases and shootouts, El Mariachi finally confronts Moco and his men. He manages to kill them all in a brutal and intense gunfight. In the end, El Mariachi leaves the town, but not before leaving his guitar to a young boy who is inspired by his music.
El Mariachi was praised for its inventive and resourceful filmmaking, as Rodriguez shot the movie on a shoestring budget of $7,000. The film's success led to two sequels, Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, both starring Antonio Banderas in the main role.
