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Best Movie Ever: Scarface

Al Pacino, Brian De Palma and Oliver Stone joined forces in 1983 for a quiet, subtle, personal film about the dreams of immigrants. Funny how a mountain of cocaine on a desk will change things.

By Jordan Hoffman March 28, 2012
  

It's the classic American story. A man works hard and eventually the world will be his. Sure, he might suffer setbacks, like having his associates chopped up with a chainsaw before his eyes, but chances are that if you keep at it you'll one day be wealthy enough to have your own armed security force and pet tiger.

These are the lessons put forth by Brian De Palma's overblown criminal masterpiece Scarface, now available for the first time on Blu-ray. How you can see every grain of Bolivian powder on Al Pacino's nose in crystal clear high definition.

To celebrate, let's take a look back at all the kills, F-bombs and dancing-Pfeiffer moments that make Scarface the Best Movie Ever.

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Scarface

Interior Design

Brian De Palma is never satisfied with a simple camera set-up.

Even moments of domestic bliss like this are actually split-focus shots - meaning they are two takes with different focal points overlaid in post-production.  This way we can see both Michelle Pfeiffer blasting coke and the back of Pacino's head as he tells the pelicans to fly away with total clarity.

Scarface

Framed For Death

Anticipating wall-hanging flatscreens by twenty-five years, the baddies (well, relative baddies) project their (taped!) television programs onto a screen that is framed on the wall.

It's a nice touch!

This is the guy Tony will have to kill outside the United Nations - even if the wife and kids are in the car - unless he wants trouble.

Scarface

Gina's Hair

Here's a little known fact: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio's hair in Scarface was actually constructed to represent the feeling one gets from snorting cocaine.

Originally the filmmakers hoped to shoot it practically, and designers from major architectural firms were consulted. Ultimately, it was decided that it would need to be done with special effects in post-production and De Palma hired Industrial Light and Magic.

Scarface

Not A Healthy Lifestyle

Tony Montana forgot one of the most important rules of the game: don't get high on your own supply.

Now, when this rule was created, everyone understood that, sure, yeah, when you've got cousins in town, okay, maybe you'll get a little high on your own supply. Like, you know, a thimble's worth. But an Alpine mound on your desk? No, that's not so good.

Scarface

Say Hello To *His* Little Friend

While Tony is showboating and mowing down his foes from on high, he leaves himself wide-open from an attack from behind. Such a novice move.

Are we really "fuc*ing with the best?" This is open to debate. I mean, not only does this guy creep up right behind him, but he's even wearing sunglasses at night in a smoky room. Most of us would miss the broadside of a barn in those condition.

 

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See More: Best Movie Ever | Scarface | Al Pacino | Brian De Palma | Greatest Movie Ever | Oliver Stone