Scarface (1983) Scarface
A crime epic directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone, starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who rises from the Mariel boatlift to become Miami's most powerful drug lord before his empire — and his humanity — collapse under the weight of paranoia, cocaine, and violence. The film reimagines Howard Hawks's 1932 Scarface and Al Capone's rise-and-fall arc through the lens of Reagan-era excess and the Miami cocaine wars.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Director | Brian De Palma |
| Writer | Oliver Stone |
| Stars | Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia |
| Composer | Giorgio Moroder |
| Cinematographer | John A. Alonzo |
| Production | Universal Pictures |
| Budget | ~$25-37 million |
| Box Office | ~$66 million |
| Release Date | December 9, 1983 |
| Running Time | 170 min |
| MPAA Rating | R (after three X ratings overturned on appeal) |
| Based On | Scarface (1932) / loosely inspired by Al Capone |
Key Pages
- Plot Summary (Scarface)
- Cast and Characters (Scarface)
- 40 Beats (Scarface)
- Themes and Analysis (Scarface)
- Production History (Scarface)
- Critical Reception and Legacy (Scarface)
- Physical Media Releases (Scarface)
- The Chainsaw Scene
- The Final Stand
- The Babylon Club
- The MPAA Battle
- Hip-Hop and Scarface
- The American Dream as Gangster Rise-and-Fall
- Structure Graphics (Scarface)