Scarface (1983 film)

Scarface is a 1983 epic crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana. Based on Howard Hawks' original 1932 film of the same name, the film tells the story of a fictional Cuban refugee who comes to Florida in 1980 as a result of the Mariel Boatlift. Montana becomes a gangster against the backdrop of the 1980s cocaine boom. The film chronicles his rise to the top of Miami's criminal underworld and subsequent downfall in tragic Greek fashion.

The film is dedicated to Howard Hawks and Ben Hecht, who were the writers of the original 1932 film.

The critical response to Scarface was positive even though the film received criticism for its violence and graphic language. Despite this, it did well at the box office and has since gathered a phenomenal cult following. The film has become an important cultural icon, inspiring posters, clothing, and many other references. The film's grainy black and white poster is a very popular decoration and is still in production, and as a result of its popularity has been parodied many times.

The opening scenes show Cuban Tony Montana (Al Pacino) as one of the 125,000 Cubans who immigrated to Miami, Florida in the Mariel Boatlift of 1980, and one of at least 25,000 who has a criminal record. He is interrogated by three tough-talking immigration officers over his life in Cuba. He and his best friend and former Cuban Army buddy Manolo "Manny" Ribera (Steven Bauer) are met with resistance, particularly because of their criminal records, and are placed in "Freedom Town", a camp under the Interstate 95 freeway where Cuban refugees without green cards are kept. A month later, Manny makes Tony aware of a deal in which a wealthy man named Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia), can give them access to the cards needed, in exchange for the murder of a former Cuban security agent named Emilio Rebenga who once tortured and killed Lopez's brother. Tony happily complies, stabbing and killing Rebenga during a riot, and they receive their residency.