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Scarface (1983)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Release Date:
9 December 1983 (USA)
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Tagline:
He was Tony Montana. The world will remember him by another name...SCARFACE. more
Plot:
In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug empire while succumbing to greed. (Cartel not Mafia) full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes.
Another 3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(63 articles)
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User Comments:
"You wanna play rough?? OKAY!"
more (678 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) more
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
170 min | 81 min (DVD version by VCA)
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Belgium:KNT |
Finland:K-16 (cut) (1990) |
Finland:K-18 |
Colombia:18 |
Mexico:C |
Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) |
West Germany:18 (video premiere) (cut) (1985) |
Iceland:16 |
Finland:K-15 (DVD version) (re-rated) |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) (re-rating) |
Canada:18+ (Quebec) (original rating) |
Canada:R |
Brazil:18 |
Netherlands:18 (original rating) |
South Korea:18 |
Israel:18 |
Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) |
Argentina:18 |
Australia:R |
Chile:18 |
Denmark:15 |
France:-12 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Ireland:18 |
Italy:VM14 |
Japan:R-15 |
Malaysia:(Banned) |
Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) |
New Zealand:R18 |
Norway:15 (re-rating) (2000) |
Norway:18 (original rating) |
Peru:18 |
Portugal:M/18 |
Singapore:M18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
Taiwan:R-18 |
UK:18 |
USA:R (re-rating on appeal) |
USA:X (original rating) |
Germany:BPjM Restricted
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
John Travolta was considered for the role of Manny Ribera.
more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Reflections of the camera crew can be seen on Elvira's sunglasses as she and Tony are walking out of the car dealership.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Fidel Castro: ...al esfuerzo y al heroísmo de una revolución... ¡No los queremos! ¡No los necesitamos!
[... to the effort and heroism of a revolution... We don't want them! We don't need them!]
more
Fidel Castro: ...al esfuerzo y al heroísmo de una revolución... ¡No los queremos! ¡No los necesitamos!
[... to the effort and heroism of a revolution... We don't want them! We don't need them!]
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in The Magical Time Traveling Thugtastic Jug (2004)
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Soundtrack:
Shake It Up
more
FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?Is this movie based on a book?
Why did Tony say his mother was dead when he was being interrogated at the beginning?
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more (678 total)
Message Boards
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"Scarface" has a major cult following even now, 22 years after its release.
It has also been widely criticized as being very tacky, unrefined, over-the-top and all bloated up! These are people who compare Scarface to The Godfather movies. It is true that on the technical front, (cinematography, screenplay, direction, etc.) Scarface is way behind 'The Godfather'.
But it is also true, that what Scarface has and some other gangster movies lack, is the rawness, the sheer crude approach of the gangsters. The Latino gangsters in this movie look much more menacing and real than any of the polished Italian or Irish gangsters from other gangster classics like 'The Godfather' or 'Goodfellas'. This is one of the major winning points of Scarface and I strongly believe that this fact has been written off as "tackiness" by most critics! I have seen the original 1932 Scarface, and I must say that both these movies are way too different from each other and should be seen as two different movies instead of praising the original over the "remake"!
Al Pacino has been criticized to be over-the-top and loud in this movie. But how about considering that that is precisely the way the film-makers wanted Tony Montana's character to be! He is this angry young man who takes hasty decisions and throws fits of tantrum every other minute! He is not the calm Michael Corleone here. He is Tony Montana, a very tacky, uneducated individual who doesn't really think much and gets angry all the time!
There is definitely a very 80s feel to this movie. The soundtrack is all 80s! I love some of the songs, including 'Gina and Elvira's theme', 'Push it to the limit' and the title track instrumental.
There are some memorable and beautifully shot sequences, including the famous chainsaw scene, the Rebenga hit, the first meeting with Sosa and Tony's visit to his mother's.
About the performances: Al Pacino is brilliant as the angry Cuban refugee. He has reportedly mentioned that he enjoyed playing Tony Montana the most in his entire career. And it really does seem like he has enjoyed himself thoroughly in all his scenes! One wonders what "Scarface" would be like without Pacino. I just couldn't imagine anyone else portraying Tony Montana and in all probabilities, the film wouldn't be as effective without him!
Steven Bauer shines as Tony's friend Manny.
Robert Loggia is wonderful as Tony's boss, Lopez. So is F. Murray Abraham (as Omar) in a small role.
Then there is some eye-candy in the form of Elvira played by Michelle Pfeiffer. She looks beautiful and is adequate in her role.
The director does go a bit overboard during a particular part in the climax. Without revealing anything, I would only say that that was the only little part that suffers due to improper handling.
"Scarface" is definitely one of the most entertaining and one of the best gangster movies to ever come out. Enjoy it for what it is: a raw portrayal of the Drug Lords and their gangland!