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intereact!Actors: F. Murray Abraham, Michael Alldredge, Steven Bauer, Richard Belzer, and Ted Beniades
Rated: X (Mature Audiences Only)
Retail Price (not our price): $59.98
Release Date: 2003-09-30
Theatrical Release Date: 1932-04-09
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 264 minutes
Format: Array
Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Limited Edition, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Discs: 2
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com essential video
Scarface (1983) This sprawling epic of bloodshed and excess, Brian De Palma's update of the classic 1932 crime drama by Howard Hawks, sparked controversy over its outrageous violence when released in 1983. Scarface is a wretched, fascinating car wreck of a movie, starring Al Pacino as a Cuban refugee who rises to the top of Miami's cocaine-driven underworld, only to fall hard into his own deadly trap of addiction and inevitable assassination. Scripted by Oliver Stone and running nearly three hours, it's the kind of film that can simultaneously disgust and amaze you (critic Pauline Kael wrote "this may be the only action picture that turns into an allegory of impotence"), with vivid supporting roles for Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Robert Loggia. --Jeff ShannonScarface (1932) Howard Hawks's Scarface was one of the first "talkies" to reclaim the fluidity of the late-silent masterpieces, while also tapping into a feral new energy that came with talking smart and moving smarter on the motion picture screen. Outgunning such contemporaries as Little Caesar and The Public Enemy--in terms of both its ferocious death-dealing and dynamic style--the movie was interfered with by censors and kept out of circulation for decades thanks to its eccentric producer, Howard Hughes. It remains the gold standard among classic gangster pictures. Paul Muni's portrayal of Al Capone surrogate Tony Camonte etched a screen original: a merciless assassin who's not only reflexively criminal but pre-civilized, almost pre-evolutionary, a simian shadow ready to rub out the world if he can't have it for his own. This is still one of the greatest, darkest, most deeply exciting films American cinema has produced. Those demonically ubiquitous X's--starting with that titular scar gouged into Tony's cheek--rival "Rosebud" for resonance. --Richard T. Jameson
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) "I baried those cockaroaches" [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Its funny how one of the most repulsive movies I have watched has quickly become a cult classic favorite in my eyes. Though some people who love this movie see it for entertainment purposes (and the "Say hello to my little friend" scene is certainly one of the most entertaining in cinematic history) much more can certainly be said about the real purpose behind Scraface. A simple message is implied by the end of the film, though its pretty obvious from nearly the beginning as well, and that is, now matter how much you "fly straight" in this dirty business, your fate is basically already written. Its almost ironic. Scarface is easily the cliche of a film you never want your children to see, yet at the same time, the message and the way that is portrayed is something they need to understand, though with the 200+ "f" words and the excessive violence and drug content, it probably is better to play it safe about allowing younger audiences to watch Scarface. However, compared to films like the present day American Gangster with Denzel Washington, Scarface is beginning to feel milder all the time.Al Pacino is the star here, naturally, and its amazing how different his acting abilites for his Cuban character "Tony Montana" are compared to his famous role in The Godfather. It takes a bit to get used to the accent, but his lines become those you love to quote, and eventually you want to both love and hate Tony Montana at the same time. The supporting cast is just as impressive, but considering the film was released in 1983, you have to expect a couple of cheesy, overacting at some point. Same goes for the music. I actually love the score, though it is very 80's with songs like "She's on Fire" played in the club. The movie takes a patient watch, running a little under 3 hours in time. Scenes either move along quickly or get dragged down, but when the action roles it stay real and perfecly in flow with the story. Aside from the final shootout in the film, the gun fire scenes and other forms of violence are just enough to progress the plot, instead of providing mass entertainment (though with this kind of film, violence for entertainment purposes begins to tread over tricky waters). Scarface has become one of those films everyone needs to watch at least once. Whether you will like it or hate in in the end, it has become so popular you just have to find out what all the hype is about. It really is a great film, and chances are you may only dislike it for the obsessive dirty business protrayed. It can be entertaining to some, but also realize the film makes a point and says something. With that said, I believe its possible for anyone to enjoy this film. Scarface doesn't have the best action, acting, etc. in a film, but it certainly goes down as one of greatest Gangster movies of all time with a teriffic story. The Platinum edition has been remastered, both video and audio. The video wasn't overaly impressive, but the audio was fantastic, especially the gun explosions in the finale. Acting - 4Action - 4Characters - 5Story - 5Overall - 52) A Truly Great Film [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This movie is so great it still inspires the smallest of drug dealers as it did in the eighties when it came out. But when all is said and done these people need to watch the sad ending of this movie. I absoultely love this special addition and the bonus features. I love to hear that the comic relief was actually put on film on purpose. The acting is magnificant. Al Pacino knocked himself out. I remember watching the Oscars that year and was amazed he did not win. This is one of the best acting performances ever. It beats out his acting in Scent of A Woman. I think now people can look back on his performance and see that it truly was great. I am glad the movie was released in this way and given the accolades that it truly deserves.3) The Godfather Rolling In His Grave [Rating: 1 out of 5]
Al Pacino is an actor with a career that's a conflict-ridden dichotomy. There are moments in films where he's interplanetary; creating characters with such an archetypal inherency, you have to wonder if he's born of this planet. Then, he'll throw us Molotov cocktails, in films and, most notably, in his acting, where you scratch your head in amazement that he's had a career to begin with.With this monstrously awful film, Pacino gives one his most unintentionally deliriously funny performances (and remember, I've seen "Revolution"). As Tony Montero, he spits and disgorges his dialogue like Don Corleone doing a Ricky Ricardo impression while swallowing a Cuban cigar. But Pacino is not solo in this pics' derision: there's a bombastic synthesized soundtrack. A misguided, one-dimensional (not-to-mention quasi-talented) supporting cast, most dubiously Michelle Pfeiffer, with her zombified glare and one note delivery. The cinematography was shoddy and dank, like an NYU student film. And, finally, it's another dishrag directorial by Brian DePalma. His catalogue is already littered with junk food masquerading as art, but even I was surprised at the ineptitude of this sprawling, convoluted, cacophonous mess. The films' ascension in the hip-hop community as a classic is equally absurd, seeing that this is a cautionary tale with a violent, tragic ending. Go figure. My grade: D4) Sharon [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Great Movie!!! I love Al Paccino He is the man!!!Great Actor!!I adore him.5) "What does he have that I don't?" [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Scarface DVDAl Pacino is great in the leading role of Scarface. I don't think he looks very Cuban, but what the hey? I, also, think he probably peeved off some Cubans by stereotyping the Cuban Mafia. But he already did that with the Sicilian Mafia, so what's a few more?Brian De Palma's blood soaked gangster epic is on DVD, once again. I'll say this right off the bat, if you own the previously released Special Edition of Scarface, there's no reason to run out and buy this Platinum Edition, which has an assortment of previously released extras to go along with a counter for how many times the "F" word is used and how many bullets are fired. Besides that, there's nothing here that hasn't been seen before, but if you don't already own Scarface on DVD, well then, this is worth picking up. As for the film itself, it's a bloody crime epic featuring one of Al Pacino's best, and most infamous, performances as Cuban hood turned drug kingpin Tony Montana; but chances are, you already know all that. The DVD's picture quality looks cleaner, and the remastered and remixed sound is crisper as well, but whether or not you want to lay out your money for better sound is up to you.Recommended for Al Pacino fans and fans of mob violence.Gunner January, 2008