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Scarface
1932 93 min United States of America PG 12+
★8.1
Crime, Action, Drama, Thriller
Director: Howard Hawks, Richard Rosson
🎭 Based on
«Scarface»
byArmitage Trail
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
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.
Budget:
$800,000
Worldwide:
$600,000
Starring
Paul Muni
Actor
Ann Dvorak
Actor
Karen Morley
Actor
Awards
5 wins total
Key opinion
Howard Hawks' 1932 Scarface is widely regarded as a foundational, historically significant masterpiece that captures the volatility of the Prohibition era. While some modern viewers find the early sound-era techniques dated or the pacing uneven, most critics praise its sharp social satire, visceral direction, and Paul Muni's transformative lead performance.
| Acting | Paul Muni delivers a masterfully complex performance that effectively captures the repulsive, violent, and charismatic nature of his gangster archetype. | |
| Direction | Howard Hawks' direction serves as a groundbreaking blueprint for the crime genre, utilizing innovative visual storytelling and sharp social commentary to expose systemic corruption. | |
| Theme | The script functions as a powerful piece of historical satire, successfully condemning societal complacency and media complicity regarding organized crime. | |
| Cinematography | The black-and-white cinematography and recurring visual motifs, such as the X-shaped scar, create a lasting and distinctive aesthetic impact. | |
| Emotion | Opinions on the film's emotional impact are split: some find the tragic rise and fall of Tony Camonte compelling and cautionary, while others feel the character lacks depth, leaving the drama hollow. | |
| Pacing | While some viewers appreciate the film as an essential historical artifact, others argue that its early sound-era technical limitations and pacing make it feel unengaging or 'standard' by modern standards. |