Questions
Who directed Scarface and when did it come out?
Brian De Palma directed it, and it premiered December 1, 1983.
Who wrote Scarface, and where?
Oliver Stone, who moved to Paris to write it while battling his own cocaine addiction, believing he could not quit while in the States.
Did Scarface get an X rating?
Yes, on October 28, 1983, for violence and language. An appeals board overturned it to an R by a 17 to 3 vote.
Did Al Pacino get hurt filming?
Yes. He burned his left hand on the hot muzzle of a gun after tripping during a fight scene, halting production for more than a week.
Was Scarface actually filmed in Miami?
Mostly no. The Miami Tourist Board refused to allow filming, fearing the drug-and-gangster story would hurt tourism, so most of it was shot in Los Angeles.
Is Scarface a remake?
Yes, of the 1932 Howard Hawks film, itself based on Armitage Trail’s novel, updated here to 1980s Miami during the Mariel boatlift.
How did Al Pacino prepare for Tony Montana?
He worked with boxer Roberto Duran to build the character’s physicality.
Was Michelle Pfeiffer the first choice for Elvira?
No. Glenn Close was the original pick, and both Pacino and De Palma argued against Pfeiffer, but producer Martin Bregman fought to cast her.
Did the chainsaw scene really upset people?
Yes. It was one of the most talked-about violent scenes, and authors Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving reportedly walked out of a screening after it.
How did critics react at first?
Harshly. New York magazine called it an empty, bullying, overblown B-movie. It was largely panned in 1983.
How is it seen now?
As a classic gangster film and cult favorite, praised by the likes of Martin Scorsese and endlessly referenced in hip-hop.
How much profanity is in Scarface?
The article notes the f-word is used 226 times, among the most of any film of its era.
What’s the most famous line?
Say hello to my little friend, which ranks 61st on AFI’s list of great movie quotes.
Did real criminals admire the film?
Apparently. In a 2012 raid on a Mafia figure’s home near Naples, police found a life-size porcelain bust of Tony Montana.
