Scarface

Scarface is the title of two American crime drama films released in 1932 and 1983. Each film centers on a ruthless immigrant-turned-gangster who climbs the ranks of the underworld, and both titles invoke the nickname Scarface historically associated with real-life mobsters such as Al Capone, though the stories are not direct remakes of one another.

The 1932 film Scarface, directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes, stars Paul Muni as Tony Camonte, a violent gangster in Chicago during Prohibition. Written by Ben Hecht, the movie is notable for its stark depiction of organized crime and its influence on the gangster film genre. Its controversial violence and themes led to censorship challenges and a complex reception, but it is widely regarded as a landmark in early American cinema and for shaping later crime dramas.

The 1983 film Scarface, directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone, reimagines the saga in a Miami setting during the 1980s cocaine boom. Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who builds a narcotics empire and falls under the weight of excess and retaliation. The film is known for its vivid violence, operatic style, and a highly quotable script, including lines such as “Say hello to my little friend.” Its soundtrack, comprised in part by Giorgio Moroder, and its intense visual direction contributed to its lasting cultural impact, despite initial mixed reviews and ongoing controversy over crime glamorization.

Both films have influenced later crime narratives and contributed enduring associations with the Scarface nickname in popular culture.