Scarface
The rise and fall of a power hungry mobster.
Overview
In 1920s Chicago, Italian immigrant and notorious thug, Antonio 'Tony' Camonte, aka Scarface, shoots his way to the top of the mobs while trying to protect his sister from the criminal life.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released during the Great Depression, Scarface reflects the social unrest and economic turmoil of the time through its portrayal of a Jewish-Italian immigrant's rise to power in organized crime. Its strong anti-immigrant sentiments were controversial for their depiction of ruthless criminality among newcomers.
- Unforgettable performances by Paul Muni and Karen Morley, a compelling narrative about power, ambition, and the consequences of greed, groundbreaking for its graphic violence and explicit dialogue for its time.
- Iconic quotes that have permeated popular culture such as 'The World is Yours' and 'Say Hello to my little friend'
- Exploration of immigrant life in America during the Prohibition era
Fun Facts
- The original Scarface was the inspiration for subsequent remakes and adaptations, most notably Brian De Palma's 1983 version starring Al Pacino.
- The character Tony Camonte in the movie shares his name with infamous Chicago mobster Tony Accardo.
- The iconic chainsaw scene in the 1983 remake was inspired by a real-life event where gangster Vincent 'Mad Dog' Coll, who was a model for the film's antagonist Guino Rinaldo, was killed in a shootout with police during which he refused to surrender and attempted to cut his way out through a wall.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"The rise and fall of a power hungry mobster."
Français
FR
Title:
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Pусский
RU
Title: Лицо со шрамом
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Italiano
IT
Title: Scarface - Lo sfregiato
"L'ascesa e la caduta di un mafioso assetato di potere."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Scarface - Narbengesicht
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Español
ES
Title: Scarface, el terror del Hampa
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Odd to see Howard Hawks on this genre, but he directs this workman-like gangster effort steadily, managing to convey some semblance of the environment of fear and violence without actually turning it into a visual gory bloodbath. Paul Muni may have had top billing, but for me George Raft steals this - charisma a-plenty. Boris Karloff appears oddly miscast, but Dvorak and Morley play the roles of the molls quite effectively and Osgood Perkins plays the cowardly bully Lovo well. Holds up remarkably after almost 90 years!
Famous Quotes
"Say hello to my little friend!"
"I always tell tell the truth, even when i lie."
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar