Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Scarface Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 1, 2024

Howard Hawks' "Scarface" (1932) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Megan Abbott and actor and comedian Bill Hader; new program with film scholar Lea Jacobs; and alternate ending. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

It is interesting to see how similar yet very different the two popular Scarface films are. For example, they are both fully aware that what they do partially glamorizes the gangster lifestyle and express concern. However, they dive into the gangster lifestyle with such unbridled enthusiasm that by the time their final credits roll it becomes awfully difficult to tell whether the concern is not just a necessary protective façade. If it was meant to be, it makes perfect sense why both films became so popular. Their messaging is very similar, too. The world is yours, so claim it. It is the timeless philosophy of life that all ambitious gangsters embrace. In the original film, it is spelled out. In the second film, Tony Montana carefully explains it to his best pal Manny Ray.

Very little separates the profiles of the characters Paul Muni and Al Pacino play, too. Both have foreign accents and are quickly carving a niche for themselves in a country that respects bullies. Initially, they become friends and start working for the right people, then they use their knowledge and strength to take their bosses out. Both are womanizers and psychopaths. Both can never have enough money and power. Muni’s character is not hooked on something, but only because the right drug is not around and it would have been too risky to reveal his addiction before the camera. Pacino’s character has buckets of coke around him. They have friends, but even the closest ones are expendable.

The two films direct and observe these characters differently, but it is not only because they come from drastically different eras. Howard Hawks places Muni’s character in a less glamorous environment that at times feels right for a documentary. There are only a few sequences where Muni’s character and his boss (Osgood Perkins) are seen among the privileged and they all look slightly out of sync with the rest of the film. Muni’s character becomes comfortable being in this elite environment but remains an outsider, which is a crucial detail. Brian De Palma unleashes Pacino’s character in South Florida and it does not take long before he blends in. In fact, he becomes so comfortable there that at the right time decides to claim ownership of it. Also, the demise of Pacino’s character is initiated by his delusions of grandeur, while the demise of Muni’s character begins after a terrible misjudgment of his righthand man’s (George Raft) intentions for his young sister (Ann Dvorak). So, while at the top, and on the way down, the two gangsters look very different.

Which is the better film? Both hit hard. The original film must have shocked many people because its grasp of organized crime and the men that dominated it is spot on. Visually it is not as striking as the second film, but this is entirely understandable considering that it was completed in 1932. The second film is more dangerous because its grasp of organized crime becomes a promotional campaign for it. (This is the very reason why so many R&B artists love it). It is more violent and disturbing, but it has plenty of eye candy that makes it more effective.

Ben Hecht, who adapted the original material from Armitage Trail’s novel, was apparently confronted by enforcers working for Al Capone. Hecht was asked whether Muni’s character was in any way related to their boss in Chicago.

After Hawks completed Scarface, the Chicago Police Department banned it, and theaters in the city were unable to screen it. Following successful runs in other markets nationwide, the ban was lifted and Scarface finally opened in Chicago in 1941.

Richard Rosson earned a co-directing credit for shooting an alternate ending for Scarface. Earlier, Hawks had refused to revise his film, as censors had requested.

Scarface Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Scarface arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet provided with this release:

"This new 4K restoration was created from a 35mm duplicate negative. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered from a 35mm nitrate composite fine-grain provided by the Cinematheque quebeqoise.

Restoration: NBCUniversal StudioPost, with additional processing by MTI Film."

The release introduces a 4K restoration of Scarface, which is also available on 4K Blu-ray. I have viewed it native 4K, and now in its entirety in 1080p as well.

I think that the 4K makeover is wonderful. Yes, there are areas of it with small density fluctuations and some other inconsistencies that can affect delineation, sharpness, and depth. However, given the age of the film, the overall quality of the visuals remains very, very good. Darker areas in particular look terrific, which is something that surprised me because it is where I expected to see the most obvious signs of aging. Initially, while preparing our review of the 4K Blu-ray release, I was able to only sample the 1080p presentation and then compare various areas. Now, I have seen the entire film in 1080p and again liked what I saw a lot. I would say that on a large screen the native 4K presentation is preferable because it easily creates the impression that certain parts of the film look more vibrant, but the discrepancy is not caused by one big and obvious improvement in a key area. Rather, it is a mix of smaller improvements that trained eyes will notice and appreciate. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Scarface Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The comments below are from our review of the 4K Blu-ray release.

The quality is difficult to critique because it has a lot of limitations introduced by the recording equipment. For example, in some areas the audio becomes quite thin and in the upper register light hiss makes its presence felt. The thinning and the hiss are not introduced by aging. They are on the original soundtrack. Also, the music can be quite thin and uneven, which is another inherited limitation. Generally speaking, the dialog is easy to follow, but there are a few lines here and there that are easier to get with the volume turned up slightly more than usual.

Scarface Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Megan Abbott and Bill Hader - in this new program, critic Megan Abbott and actor and comedian Bill Hader discuss the unique qualities of Scarface. In English, not subtitled. (38 min).

• Lea Jacobs - in this new program, film scholar Lea Jacobs examines Howard Hawks' innovative techniques for editing the sound and dialogue in Scarface. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Alternate Ending - the alternate ending for Scarface was mandated by the Hays Office censors. Unwilling to revise his film, Howard Hawks delegated the shooting of these scenes to Richard Rosson, who consequently earned a co-director credit. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith and technical credits.

Scarface Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Even now, many decades later, it is immediately obvious why Howard Hawks' Scarface troubled a lot of people and was banned in Chicago. It can easily be misinterpreted as a film that does a lot to promote gangster culture. This is why it is very similar to Brian De Palma's Scarface. However, these films visit unique criminal environments and explore them differently, so they are effective for different reasons. Criterion's release introduces a wonderful 4K makeover of the original film, which will also be available 4K Blu-ray. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.