How a digital experiment became the final chapter of a gritty neo-Western trilogy
In short: Robert Rodriguez shot Once Upon a Time in Mexico in high-definition digital video, a pioneering move for a big-budget film. Inspired by Sergio Leone, Rodriguez wrote the script in just six days to beat a potential union strike, resulting in a chaotic, star-studded conclusion to his iconic Mexico Trilogy.
Released in 2003, Once Upon a Time in Mexico serves as the final installment of the Mexico Trilogy, following Desperado. The production was marked by extreme efficiency; Rodriguez wrote the script in six days to avoid a looming Screen Actors Guild strike. Filming took place over seven weeks in various Mexican locations, including Querétaro and Guanajuato. Notably, the project was the first major studio film to be shot entirely in high-definition digital video, a decision Rodriguez made after seeing early footage from George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
The film’s narrative follows El Mariachi, played by Antonio Banderas, who is recruited by a duplicitous CIA agent named Sheldon Sands, portrayed by Johnny Depp. The plot is intentionally convoluted, with Rodriguez aiming to mirror the stylistic complexity of Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Depp’s performance, which earned significant critical praise, was heavily shaped by the actor himself; he chose the character's name, designed his eccentric wardrobe, and even composed the track Sands Theme for the film's score.
Critics offered mixed reactions upon release. While some reviewers, such as Roger Ebert, appreciated the film’s focus on visual flair and ironic reversals, others criticized the dense plot and the decision to relegate the protagonist to a secondary role. Despite these mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $98 million against a production budget of $29 million. The legacy of the trilogy eventually extended to television, with a series adaptation titled El Mariachi premiering in 2014.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
- Also: Wikidata — Once Upon a Time in Mexico · CC0
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