Scarface1983
Scarface (1983)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Director Brian De Palma and star Al Pacino take it to the limit in this stylized, ultra-violent and eminently quotable gangster epic that walks a thin white line between moral drama and celebratory excess.
Scarface Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Tony Montana
as Manny Ribera
as Elvira Hancock
as Gina Montana
as Frank Lopez
as Mama Montana
as Omar
as Alejandro Sosa
as Bernstein
as Chi Chi
as Ernie
as Angel
as Nick The Pig
as Hector The Toad
as Banker
as Shadow
as Sheffield
as Seidelbaum
as M.C. at Babylon Club
as Luis
as Immigration Officer
as Ernie
as Immigration Officer
as Immigration Officer
as Dr. Munoz
as Cuban Refugee
as Gutierrez Child
as Miriam
as Saleslady
as Ronnie Echevierra
as Marielito
as Shooter
as Shooter
as Shooter
as Pedro Quinn
as Driver
as Matos
as Miguel Echevierra
as Rebenga
as Cook
as Gen. Strasser
as Fernando
as Octavio the Clown
as Kid #2
as Maitre d'
as Male Patron
as Taco Stand Customer
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Helicopter Pilot
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Cuban Refugee
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Car Salesman
as Interviewer
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Nacho `El Gordo'
as Nacho's Bodyguard
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Bank Spokesman
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Gina's Killer
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Ariel Bleyer
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Woman at Babylon Club
as Waldo
as Gaspar's Bodyguard
as Cuban Refugee
as Gutierrez Child
as 1st Kid
as Driver
as Driver
as Mrs. Gutierrez
as Marta
as Monsignor
as Cuban Refugee
as Cuban Refugee
as The Skull
as Helicopter Pilot
as Gaspar Gomez
as Cuban Man
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Critic Reviews for Scarface
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (12) | DVD (18)
Stone sticks all too closely to the dated plot structure of the original movie, and such melodramatic flourishes as Montana's incestuous attraction for his sister now seem completely ludicrous.
It is a serious, often hilarious peek under the rock where nightmares strut in $800 suits and Armageddon lies around the next twist of treason.
Performances are all extremely effective, with Pacino leading the way.
Viewed today, while Scarface seems less shocking than it did during its initial theatrical run, it's no more substantive or interesting.
As stylized social realism gives way to wigged-out Faustian fantasy, the would-be devastating effects have an oddly slapstick effect.
An unashamed study of selfish, sadistic criminality, and all the better for it.
Audience Reviews for Scarface
I can see why this was such a big film for the time it was made in '83. Very violent, gritty, some shocking scenes and tons of swearing. Having finally seen it, you can see how it has influenced countless other gangster films since. Why it is very enjoyable and entertaining I wouldn't quite rate it as a masterpiece. The plot is actually very basic and straight forward and very predictable. Al pacino performance is what this film is all about, that and the bench mark for every gangster film made since.
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
"Scarface" is one of those must see films that everyone who loves crime thrillers needs to see, if only for the intense character portrait of crime. This three hour gore fest tells the tale of Cuban refugee Tony Montagna, who rises through the ranks of a crime syndicate until he is the reigning king of the drug scene in eighties' Miami. What fascinates viewers is the fragility of the organization, and how fraught with violence the film is, initially putting a lot of people off. Tony only gets as far as he does because he trusts no one, is only out for himself, and revels in the blood and cocaine madness of his empire. While he comes to the United States bedraggled and full of vinegar, he slowly morphs into an opportunistic henchman, happy to be seen as the working man, oblivious to the death and destruction of his actions, and jealous of everyone and everything that stands in his way. He is our protagonist but he is also our villain, so bloodthirsty and autonomous that it's pretty frightening to think he holds most of the power. Though Tony breaks down doors in order to become the king, he also steps on a lot of people to get there, so it's obvious that his world will crumble around him quickly. The casting is perfect for this film. Pacino portrays an embittered, hate-filled Montagna, which makes for a volatile performance. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as the prize that he longs to grasp within his claws, while being both frigidly cold and hopelessly angry, making for a great dynamic between the two characters. Besides this film being great in its realistic depiction of a drug enterprise, it's also a great crime film. The seventies and eighties were rife with stories of kingpins and gangsters, but this is the first that shows the arrogance and self-indulgence of cocaine, and its place in real life 1980s Miami. This film both demonizes the exploits of its lead while also showing the extravagance that crime comes with, and that's an intense balance to find. De Palma masters this balance by showing the motivations of the character, and the lengths he is willing to go to find success in his adopted country. That's why this film stands the test of time, and illustrates the grandiosity of the drug trade in full.
Super Reviewer
Scarface Quotes
| Tony Montana: | Hey Ernie? You wanna job? |
| Tony Montana: | Say hello to my little friend! |
| Tony Montana: | "This country was built on laundered money". |
| Tony Montana: | This country was built on laundered money. |
| Tony Montana: | You worry too much.Your gonna have a heart attack. |