Review of Scarface (Special Edition)

Introduction

I have to thank a friend for my passion for films. Today I am still a sci-fi fanatic, but in my teens my fascination for film was a sterile experience revolving around sci-fi alone, I`d watch my favourite films often and exclusively, remaining oblivious to other genres. It got to the point where I had even learnt some films by heart. My friend saw this and took it upon himself to broaden my horizons. The first thing he did was to lend me two films, both directed by Brian de Palma, and both starring Al Pacino. One was Carlito`s Way, the other Scarface, and in conjunction they opened my eyes to a world of cinematic variety.

Scarface is an update of the 1932 gangster movie of the same name, set around the Chicago Mobs and Prohibition. A simple remake wouldn`t necessarily have appealed to modern audiences, although it`s worth noting that de Palma would visit the period later with The Untouchables. Nevertheless in 1983 the inspired decision was taken to remake Scarface for contemporary audiences, setting the tale in Miami and making the eighties drug of choice, cocaine the subject. However it was a real-life event that gave the perfect starting point and the perfect characters for the movie. In 1980, Fidel Castro opened the floodgates and allowed some 100000 Cubans to leave the island and seek refuge in the United States. He also used this as an excuse to clear out his country`s prisons and send the hardened criminals to become the United States` problems. The new Scarface would begin with this event and tell the story of one of these émigrés in particular.

Tony Montana arrives with the refugees from Cuba and immediately requests political asylum. However the US authorities seeing the prominent knife scar and the gang tattoo are having none of it. Tony and his friend Manny are sent directly to an internment camp while it is decided what to do with them. But the opportunity soon arises to find a way out. A wealthy Cuban expatriate lost a relative to Communist interrogation, and now that Castro has exiled the man responsible, he is accessible. Tony is happy to do away with the former Official and soon he is in proud possession of a green card and a job in Miami. His benefactor turns out to be Frank Lopez, a man who has made his wealth dealing drugs. Tony uses his considerable force of personality to make himself integral to Frank`s organisation, and soon he and Manny are part of the inner circle. Tony`s star is on the ascendant when he meets Frank`s girlfriend Elvira, and he is instantly attracted. He also finally has the chance to give his younger sister Gina, the life he feels she deserves. As Tony begins to live the American dream, he goes into business for himself with the Bolivians, but as he continues his rapid ascent, it`s a climb that leads only to a precipice.

I haven`t seen the first Scarface release, so I won`t be able to make a direct comparison. Nevertheless this Special Edition release is worthy of consideration.

Video

Scarface is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic ratio. The image by and large is clear and colourful throughout. There is a sign of minor print damage from time to time, and just a smidgen of grain. I did notice some minor problems with the reproduction of fine detail. Certain fashions would elicit moiré, and there were some aliasing problems. On the whole though, this is a more than adequate transfer of this film, creating a stylish Miami (from LA) that served as precedent for shows like Miami Vice and films like Bad Boys.

Audio

There are DD 5.1 and DTS soundtracks on this disc. The sound is quite front-focused, with the dialogue clear at all times. The surrounds are occasionally called on to punctuate moments of action and establish a little ambience at times, although the climax of the film is more than lively. It`s not an extravagant remix, but it does the job. English hard of hearing subtitles are provided. Also the disc now carries the captions in the movie on a second subtitle track selected by default.

Features

This being a two-disc release, you would expect substantial extras to accompany the film. Alas this isn`t the case. As I have stated, I haven`t seen the original R2 release of Scarface, but reading around it appears that the documentary on that disc is repeated here, split into three bite size chunks.

The Rebirth Of Scarface (10 mins) presented in 4:3 explains the reasons behind the remake, and how it was updated. There are interviews with the cast and crew of course.

Acting Scarface (15 mins) moves us on to the casting process and the way the actors prepared for their roles.

Creating Scarface (30 mins) goes into the making of the movie. This is quite interesting, explaining why they couldn`t film in Miami, and the battle de Palma fought with the MPAA.

There are deleted scenes running for 22 minutes presented in letterbox format. There are some interesting character insights here, though there is a bit of repetition as some scenes are shown in multiple takes.

The theatrical and teaser trailer are both shown in letterbox format.

A funny inclusion is Scarface: The TV Version, which spend 3 minutes describing just how the movie was sanitised for television broadcast by those muddy-funsters. "This town is one big chicken, just waiting to be plucked!"

Finally Def Jam Presents: Origins of a Hip-Hop Classic again presented in 4:3 and lasting 21 minutes, takes the view of the hip-hop community and how Scarface serves as inspiration for many of them. There are contributions from Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000 and P. Diddy among others. It also has the added benefit of confirming my personal opinion about Sean Paul.

All the extras come in DD 2.0 English audio, with subtitles in English, French, German, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish.

The extras are certainly interesting, but feel a little limited. This is certainly an opportunity missed for an audio commentary, and I`d have preferred a more in depth documentary.

Conclusion

The eighties were the decade of greed, the decade of uncontrolled excess, the decade that taste forgot. If the eighties could be summed up in one movie, Scarface would be that film. It`s just as powerful, just as stunning today as it was the first time I saw it. Scarface is a film that you simply have to see to appreciate, though it`s hard to concisely sum up why Scarface is just so astounding.

It`s easier to start with the negatives as there are so few. If you come to Scarface expecting an involving storyline, or a complex narrative you`ll be disappointed. Scarface does exactly what it says on the tin, tell the tale of Tony Montana`s rise and fall. We are taken on a ride, a journey into the psyche of a man as we see the events that shape his destiny. Also the soundtrack has dated somewhat. Giorgio Moroder`s synth score is just a little too eighties, even for an eighties nut like me. Mostly he hits the right note, it`s perfect for the club scenes and the main Scarface theme is resonant with the character. But on occasion, especially during the action sequences it may grate. Still, this is an eighties film, complete with pastel fashions and big hair; we must make allowances for the music as well.

Yet while the story may be ephemeral, the script is anything but. Penned by Oliver Stone, it`s sharp, tight and free of any dead weight. The subject matter may be weighty, emotional and serious, but he invests the characters with a wit and humour that emphasises their humanity and comfortably leavens the tension of the drama. The one-liners are fantastic and eminently quotable. Stone`s script coupled with Brian de Palma`s consummate direction results in a film that is paced to perfection, that despite it`s nearly three hour running time never outstays its welcome.

Scarface also wouldn`t work without the exceptional cast. Robert Loggia doesn`t put a foot wrong as Frank Lopez and Michelle Pfeiffer impresses in an early role as Elvira, as does Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Tony`s sister Gina. F. Murray Abraham is excellent as Omar, as is Steven Bauer who gives an assured and prominent performance as Manny. However the supporting cast pale into insignificance next to Al Pacino`s thunderous performance as Tony Montana. When it comes down to it, the one reason to watch Scarface is Al Pacino`s awesome portrayal. The first scene is an introduction to Tony. As he is interrogated by US immigration, the camera stays with him and in that single five-minute take the audience is ensnared by Montana`s magnetic personality.

Scarface is at heart a captivating character study of this one man, his ascent and demise is brought to brutal life as he tries to fulfil his limitless avarice. He has a simple code of honour, yet he will do what it takes to succeed regardless of those around him. Pacino creates a man ruled by his passions, who has a thin veneer of charm and humour over a simmering rage and unrestrained violence. To me Scarface is Shakespearean in its scope and depth. Tony Montana is established as the quintessential antihero, who achieves his ends using the worst means possible. The capability for vengeance and violence is never far behind, yet he is driven by his obsessions. He sees Elvira and he does what it takes to get her, no matter that it destroys his relationship with his boss Frank. In a curious dichotomy, while Tony may be corrupt and irredeemable, he has an innocence and altruism that he transfers by proxy to his sister Gina. He`s obsessed in protecting the purity he sees in her from his world, but by doing so he can`t help but involve her in it. Indeed it`s ironic that the one true selfless act, his one redemptive moment presages and is directly responsible for his eventual downfall. (Most gangsters in films are brought down by their own evil) The sheer paranoia and rage as he wallows in self-destructive excess is mesmerising.

Scarface is one of the best films of the eighties, an opera of violence and decadence that no film collection is complete without. Essential!