7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An ambitious and near insanely violent gangster climbs the ladder of success in the mob, but his weaknesses prove to be his downfall.
Starring: Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley, Osgood Perkins (I), C. Henry GordonFilm-Noir | 100% |
Drama | 77% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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".
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).
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.
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.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1931
1931
1950
Warner Archive Collection
1938
1947
1958
Warner Archive Collection
1951
1948
Warner Archive Collection
1948
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1955
1927
1981
1937
1951
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1955
1951
Encore Edition | Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1953
1955
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1949