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Scarface
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Scarface

1932
Drama
Crime
1h 33m
An ambitious and near insanely violent gangster climbs the ladder of success in the mob, but his weaknesses prove to be his downfall. (imdb)
Directed by:
Richard Rosson Howard Hawks Howard Hawks
+1 more
Written by:
Ben Hecht Ben Hecht Armitage Trail
+1 more
Starring:
George Raft George Raft Boris Karloff Boris Karloff Ann Dvorak Ann Dvorak C. Henry Gordon Karen Morley Karen Morley Paul Muni Paul Muni Osgood Perkins
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Franchise:
Scarface
Genres:
Drama, Crime, Action
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Scarface

1932
Drama
Crime
1h 33m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 64.97% from 1158 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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barthalenBarthalen
Rated 27 Jan 2016
66
46th
Offers no surprises whatsoever to anyone familiar with gangster movies, but definitely has its moments. However, it's so unsubtle about its 'crime is bad mmkay' message that it takes some of the fun out of it. Imagine watching a crime movie together with your parents while they constantly feel the need to comment with stuff like 'See, this is why you shouldn't break the law' and I'm like c'mon mom stop yapping and hand me that hacksaw this corpse ain't gonna disassemble itself you know.
Rated 27 Jan 2016
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 13 May 2010
5
44th
Remake is way better, but apparently I'm the only one that thinks so. One of Hawks' rare misfires, truly a disappointing film. The opening disclaimer is so lame and idiotic I couldn't believe it was in the film, it also doesn't make sense in the context of the film. Are you glorifying him or saying he's wrong? Can't have it both ways. Also, Tony looks disturbingly like the bad guy in Kindergarten Cop.
Rated 13 May 2010
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 28 Aug 2013
58
61st
There are so many parts of this that I liked so much, I wish I could give it an even better rating. Paul Muni's charcterization, the noir-style lighting, the effective use of machine guns, the properly done violence, on and on. Unfortunately, the moral themes feel really forced whenever they show up, and it seems to have seeped into the plot a bit as well. It's a bit like The Godfather if every 20 minutes the story blatantly stopped and reminded you that killing people is bad.
Rated 28 Aug 2013
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 17 Mar 2009
84
77th
A gangster film disguised as a morality play or a morality play disguised as a gangster film. It's hard to say with the couple of jarring, direct to the audience, speeches and mixed tone but the way it ultimately makes you sympathize with Tony makes me lean towards the former. Either way it's an entertaining film with sharp writing, some nice visual displays and light comic relief that actually fits well in the film.
Rated 17 Mar 2009
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 18 Apr 2008
82
73rd
You'd expect a great script with Hecht as the writer, and he delivers... not quite as snappy as one would hope for, but pretty good. There are some impressive cinematic techniques as well, like the use of "X"s and so forth. On the down side, the timing is occasionally sluggish and the "message" is clearly shoehorned in. And the appeal for people to encourage tougher laws is terribly awkward and ruins everyone's good time for a few minutes. Other than that, a great flick with a great cast.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
caimancaiman
Rated 15 Apr 2010
92
95th
Crime, guns, girls, cops and robbers - the perfect 1930s gangster movie. Paul Muni gives an entertaining performance as the titular character (even though nobody ever calls him "Scarface"). His charisma is enough to fill two movies. And all the supporting cast is excellent as well. I enjoyed the little comedic touches too, like the dim witted sidekick who can't seem to ever take a phone message. I enjoy the DePalma/Pacino remake, but this one blows it out of the water.
Rated 15 Apr 2010
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 29 Oct 2009
7
80th
Quick paced and fun and obviously a huge influence on noir, but thank god WWII came around and made the country more despondent, giving way to less awkward moralization.
Rated 29 Oct 2009
mystericemysterice
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
82nd
A ganster classic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nobambanobamba
Rated 22 Jul 2022
80
88th
I've watched dozens of gangster films but this one still stands out, so I'll focus on the negatives: Muni isn't as crazy as he could have been. The sister was missing for most of the film. Fav scenes: machine guns and car crashes were used to great effect, but man, that one sequence with a machine gun firing off the calendar pages was classic.
Rated 22 Jul 2022
yiannosYiannos
Rated 21 Jun 2021
80
92nd
Top shelf crime film that wears its age with pride. More overtly stylish than usual for Hawks, the use of light and shadow is often stunning and adds real depth and dimension to the drama, subtly foreshadowing the inevitable doom that awaits. Muni is excellent as Scarface, bringing full bodied life to what on paper seems like a caricature, and while the studio mandated moralising is unfortunate, the psychological 'subtext' more than compensates, especially because it's unexpected. A gem.
Rated 21 Jun 2021
farzanFarzan
Rated 01 Jul 2007
88
87th
A lot better than the De Palma version. It is interesting to see this and how gangster movies are now.
Rated 01 Jul 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 09 Dec 2023
70
77th
Very well directed with numerous memorable moments, this seems to set up many of the conventions that would be followed by the genre for decades to come. Muni's performance is dynamic but not totally convincing, and ultimately holds the film back a little. It’s also true that the characters are all rather unsympathetic, which limits the audience’s investment in proceedings. Nevertheless, the film undoubtedly gains power as it unfolds. Every single reviewer excitedly mentions the incest theme.
Rated 09 Dec 2023
turinturin
Rated 13 Jul 2007
72
73rd
A classic among gangster films, offering a lot of small details to look for to film buffs.
Rated 13 Jul 2007
prowlerprowler
Rated 26 Apr 2010
23
18th
Paul Muni delivers, but the supporting cast is pretty weak, and the filmmakers blatantly try to glorify and judge him at the same time.
Rated 26 Apr 2010
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 15 Apr 2009
75
65th
The acting put me off to begin with (some of it is excruciating) but once I got into it this is brilliant. I still prefer the remake (who can not miss Pacino) but this is a thoroughly good film, and probably the best I've seen from the 30s.
Rated 15 Apr 2009
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 26 May 2008
5
96th
Holds up really well in spite of its age. Better than De Palma, although seeing this actually makes me appreciate his more, in a weird way. Ann Dvorak is gorgeous.
Rated 26 May 2008
winterboyWinterboy
Rated 12 Jan 2017
80
10th
80
Rated 12 Jan 2017
ruslandgagaRuslandgaga
Rated 10 Sep 2009
91
54th
Saw this not too long ago...It was brilliant, and it really wanted me to see more film from that era.
Rated 10 Sep 2009
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 26 May 2017
70
81st
Scarface is a great piece of early American cinema, showing what a well-rounded, well-paced, well produced, cast and acted film looks like. The script is strong possessing witty and inspired dialogue, although the altered ending feels ever so slightly that it belongs to a different film. Memorable shots, Paul Muni who is extraordinary and very entertaining, the supporting cast - the two female leads, George Raft and the goofy sidekick, Boris Karloff (!) - all great. Highly recommended.
Rated 26 May 2017
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 08 Jun 2012
77
66th
The moralizing is hilariously awkward and forced, but other than that this is a pretty good gangster film.
Rated 08 Jun 2012
salomaordsalomaord
Rated 02 Jan 2015
50
0th
Howard Hawks #1
Rated 02 Jan 2015
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 16 Sep 2022
60
44th
A pretty good gangster movie but far from a masterpiece. It's quite engaging for the most part, Paul Muni gives a fine performance and the climax is well done. On the other hand, Angelo is a really bad comic relief, there's a random scene that tries to make some unsubtle political comments on the gang wars of its time, the structure is fairly predictable and, crucially, Tony's ascent seems extremely easy, as if determination is the only trait necessary, regardless of skills, brains or planning.
Rated 16 Sep 2022
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
73
56th
# 532
Rated 02 Mar 2008
x_humanx-human
Rated 12 Dec 2009
81
72nd
Hot. Hawk's approach to violence is black comedy at its finest. Ann Dvorak is also the full package; a real doll. Karloff's only decent though, not a stand out. It's a love letter alright.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 21 Nov 2015
80
68th
I guess Hawks hadn't yet realised that it's possible to make something political without banging the message over the viewer's heads repeatedly. It's moralising isn't much of a drawback though, since it's still a very well-paced and well-acted film. Among Mob films, Scarface, along with Little Caesar and The Public Enemy (both 1931), are the three films credited with introducing most of the genre's main tropes. All 3 classics are required viewing, but Scarface is by far the best of the bunch.
Rated 21 Nov 2015
dmcrimsonDMCrimson
Rated 15 Jun 2012
78
45th
Just like the Al Pacino Scarface a few decades later, this movie is better watched as an Itchy-Scratchy cartoon than a gangster epic.
Rated 15 Jun 2012
jaywatjay_wat
Rated 27 Jul 2011
1
11th
this movie isn't very good i don't like it a lot and neither do most of my krumpels and my dog foxy very much doesn't like it either god father is worse though
Rated 27 Jul 2011
nepetaNepeta
Rated 20 Apr 2013
75
56th
Tony's jealousy over his sister was the most interesting bit of the film. It has aged a bit, and the moralising is awkward, but for the most part this was well done.
Rated 20 Apr 2013
hotsakehotsake
Rated 08 Apr 2022
75
85th
There was a bit too much mugging to the camera for my taste and none of the comedy works but the pacing is fast and the violence is swift and plentiful. The biggest downsides are the heavy-handed scenes with the reporters and police. The last 10 minutes were disappointing.
Rated 08 Apr 2022
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 09 Apr 2013
81
80th
Highly watchable gangster classic which owes its success to the simplicity of its characters and the colourful portrayals of them by the cast. The story and character arcs unfold with comic-book-like directness; the cinematography is not the only thing which is black and white! There's a nice blend of dialogue and action and it's clear Hawks knows exactly what he's doing, even finding time for some artistic shots and effects to embellish his creation.
Rated 09 Apr 2013
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 29 Jan 2010
95
94th
The greatest of the early gangster films. Only flaw: Muni is a little too over-the-top.
Rated 29 Jan 2010
kramyessevKramYessev
Rated 17 May 2012
51
31st
It's strange how many people don't even know this (and the novel) exists, let alone that the 80s Pacino film was a remake. Maybe I just surround myself with morons. I've yet to see said remake so I was able to properly appreciate this, although it isn't anything particularly special. There are some good scenes, the humor hits the mark, the acting is decent (I love old mobster movies where everyone talks at high speeds and adds 'see?' onto the end of every sentence) but it's just...boring
Rated 17 May 2012
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
76
52nd
490
Rated 19 Dec 2008
clark_novaClark Nova
Rated 05 Mar 2011
100
97th
Raft packs more smoke with one little cigarette than that smoke bomb!!!
Rated 05 Mar 2011
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 29 Mar 2011
88
63rd
n a nutshell: whistle while you work ................................. ..............................your way up the organized crime ladder would have liked to have seen more karloff but muni is undeniably demonic as tony....i also thought the pre-code female characters were entertaining, particularly dvorak's and morley's.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
stainStain
Rated 09 May 2007
100
95th
Righteous. Actually much more exciting than the more famous De Palma remake, despite having a lot less violence
Rated 09 May 2007
heliophageHeliophage
Rated 26 Mar 2024
57
76th
Solid enough, though for as much as this is the picture so many think of at mention of the genre, I don't know that it particularly beats out the other prominent ones of the moment with its style (shadowy as it may be) or its script (which honestly isn't the hottest) so much as sheer determination to push the limits of what the censors would approve with all the violence and humdrum off-brand Capone nods they could muster. I think I found Vince Barnett's comic relief most memorable; so sue me.
Rated 26 Mar 2024
seryxaSeryxa
Rated 09 Apr 2009
100
93rd
Obviously modeled on Al Capone, with an incestuous sister thrown in, this was perhaps the most vivid film of the gangster cycle, and its reveling in its own sins was not obscured by the subtitle "The Shame of a Nation".
Rated 09 Apr 2009
hawkinsHawkins
Rated 27 Aug 2022
82
74th
Same deal as Public Enemy and Little Caesar (Gangster Icarus flies too close to American Dream) but with much sharper execution.
Rated 27 Aug 2022
kadrianKadrian
Rated 03 Dec 2011
60
72nd
This is a popular one for remakes since it's one crazy, violent gangster against the world at the end. The original is always one of the best.
Rated 03 Dec 2011
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 22 Feb 2016
16
88th
Star Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rated 22 Feb 2016
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 24 Feb 2019
89
69th
89.00
Rated 24 Feb 2019
bondyBondy
Rated 26 Sep 2019
6
46th
"Get outta my way Johnny I gotta spit!" -- Tony. Perhaps the best line in cinema history.
Rated 26 Sep 2019
glm01glm01
Rated 17 Sep 2013
89
97th
89.000
Rated 17 Sep 2013
evolutionEvolution
Rated 14 Mar 2011
91
96th
Blows the remake out of the water, even though that is a classic in itself. The alternate ending made to try to appease the New York censorship board was terrible, and also makes me wonder if the message at the start was done for this reason too.
Rated 14 Mar 2011
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 01 Oct 2013
75
74th
Amazing use of sound in this movie! Gunfire, killing, hollywood-Italian accents to the max :D. I love how Hawks places "X's" in scenes where people die or are going to die, makes Tony whistle and Little Boy flip a coin like a boss. Also good love story and a perfect ending to the unforgiving gangsterlife of Tony Camonte. "Look at them monkeys! They think they'll get Tony Camonte?!"
Rated 01 Oct 2013
derbarneyDer_Barney
Rated 19 Apr 2008
70
15th
I don't know why, but this movie bored the living sh*t right out of me (and it's not as if I didn't like a good b/w flick every now and then). The "remake" with Pacino is WAY better.
Rated 19 Apr 2008
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 14 Mar 2011
3
38th
A pretty solid mob flick that's weathered a bit with age but still packs a fair bit of punch. The shoehorned morality is pretty lame, but it's entertaining and moves at a nice clip. Muni is kind of ridiculous in the lead role, but the performance works despite (or because of?) his weirdness. Entertaining on the whole.
Rated 14 Mar 2011
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 03 Nov 2019
60
35th
A decent film that tries a little too hard in places. The moral is quite clear -- we get a few lectures on how bad organized crime is -- and the acting swings from "barely there" to "over the top." Ultimately, there's a weird mix of humor and drama, and there appeared to be some in jokes for the 1930s crowd that now seem rather stale. It generally moves fast enough to make it a pretty good movie.
Rated 03 Nov 2019
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 01 Oct 2019
90
96th
I was expecting a lot less, but this movie felt fresh, fast paced and very raw, it's a true crocked American dream story, extremely enjoyable. Also is interesting to see how similar are the Brian de Palma's version to this one.
Rated 01 Oct 2019
moncliviemonclivie
Rated 08 Nov 2015
86
91st
X
Rated 08 Nov 2015
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 20 Aug 2013
3
30th
a middling crime movie with a fairly gross political agenda.
Rated 20 Aug 2013
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 19 Feb 2007
95
95th
Scarface estreava há 90 anos na Argentina. Particularmente não sou muito fã da versão do De Palma, mas acho essa do Hawks um primor do pre-code. Do primeiro frame até o último é um show de mise en scène do Hawks, é um desfile de elegância contrastando com o exagero da narrativa, é brilhante. BlurayRip RARBG.
Rated 19 Feb 2007
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 27 Apr 2010
84
92nd
Holds up so well that it's still better than the remake (along with 90% of the other gangster films made in the past 80 years).
Rated 27 Apr 2010
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 08 Mar 2015
75
89th
Classic.
Rated 08 Mar 2015
jebJeb
Rated 10 Aug 2008
100
98th
I can't decide which one is better, the remake or the original!
Rated 10 Aug 2008
pieterpronkpieterpronk
Rated 25 Dec 2009
72
41st
The Mafia movie that set the standards for the genre. It's amazing how many of the storylines and tricks used in much newer mob-movies are already to be found in this movie. That said most of those tricks are now perfected in movies like the Al Pacino Scarface, Goodfellas and the Godfather series.
Rated 25 Dec 2009
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 19 Jul 2023
83
83rd
I'm pro pre-Code!
Rated 19 Jul 2023
glmglm
Rated 08 Jan 2011
88
87th
88.000
Rated 08 Jan 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 08 Dec 2008
83
93rd
Nice
Rated 08 Dec 2008
doyler29doyler29
Rated 12 Sep 2023
70
42nd
Basically ... a good gangster film almost ruined by it's central performance.
Rated 12 Sep 2023
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 27 Jul 2009
90
97th
Considering the time it was made, this is a masterpiece of stupefying magnitude. Through the understandable (and actually charming) naivety of an early genre movie shine its taut thrills and witty humor, Muni's, Karloff's and the female leads' outstanding performances, tightly paced, gorgeous and thoughtful directing from Rosson and Hawks. In a genre whose every convention has since been milked dry, Scarface remains unbelievably fresh and bubbly.
Rated 27 Jul 2009
pazuzuterrorPazuzuTerror
Rated 27 Jul 2010
80
50th
the original gangster classic that inspired the 1983 Pacino classic of the same name, this one was a good watch and really great for it's time
Rated 27 Jul 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 14 Jan 2010
77
54th
453
Rated 14 Jan 2010
macswellMacSwell
Rated 12 Jan 2017
80
80th
Scarface is more edgy and dissident than any other gangster film of the 1930s. Despite much interference from the Hays Office, it has a great offering of violence and criminal activity for its time, in addition to the hints of incest between brother and sister, while the inevitable moralising side takes away none of its power. Though over-the-top at times, Muni's performance really gives the film the fire it so needs.
Rated 12 Jan 2017
roofsrunnerroofs_runner
Rated 25 Mar 2012
86
76th
It is way better that the remake by De Palma. Scarface is a classic that formed the genre. It looks and feels genuine due its hard time.
Rated 25 Mar 2012
icarusIcarus
Rated 07 Mar 2018
84
75th
Hawks' use of shadow is most effective here, highlighting the ephemeral nature of these lives. That Scarface is introduced as a shadow speaks to the insubstantial nature of the kind of life he and those around him lead. Early on, we also realize that Scarface has eschewed his family for the alternative community of his gang. But while he is always surrounded by people, this is a path toward isolation and loneliness, a hell of his own making.
Rated 07 Mar 2018
punqPUNQ
Rated 24 Jan 2013
90
99th
Scarface really is the symbol of the gangster genre. While looking at it today it's kind of filled with clichés, but the violence in this movie was not that normal back in the early 30's. Not at this brutal level anyway. Paul Muni as the sluggish brute turned super mob boss is a real interesting transformation which really comes together for the ending when his world is in ruins. A dark moment in a grotesquely cold story.
Rated 24 Jan 2013
punchPunch
Rated 25 Jul 2009
60
28th
Interesting to watch as a comparison to Pacino's later work
Rated 25 Jul 2009
bentienbentien
Rated 01 Aug 2012
77
86th
A lot better than the overrated Al Pacino flick.
Rated 01 Aug 2012
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 22 Sep 2019
90
89th
Seen 2x
Rated 22 Sep 2019
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
75
50th
#507
Rated 30 Nov 2011
dinamitadinamita
Rated 10 Oct 2010
70
60th
muni's performance is electric, all garbage insert scenes and stupid cops be damned. his dominance of the frame and his sheer almost innocent joy just make this film very charismatic and striking.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 22 Nov 2009
59
28th
Scorsese fans should see this.
Rated 22 Nov 2009
amadeusAmadeus
Rated 04 Dec 2012
84
96th
still better than its remake. lakin final angels with dirty faces gibi temiz toplum mesajıyla ana karakterini korkağa çevirip inandırıcılığını kaybetmiş. kız kardeş motifi daha güçlü. angelo'daki (kara) mizah unsurunu da unutma. 48.40 civarı duvardaki gölgelere screen shot al. negzel lan buralara not düşerim artık notepad yerine.
Rated 04 Dec 2012

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