More than four decades after its release, Scarface refuses to fade. In August 2025 a new take on the story was announced, with Danny Ramirez set to produce and star, and Al Pacino looked back on his career in his 2024 memoir, Sonny Boy.
Brian De Palma's 1983 crime epic divided critics on release, yet Tony Montana became one of the most recognisable characters in film history. Explore more cinema icons in our Movies collection.
Scarface Fact File
| Release | 1 December 1983 (New York premiere); 9 December 1983 (US) |
|---|---|
| Director | Brian De Palma |
| Writer | Oliver Stone |
| Producer / studio | Martin Bregman / Universal Pictures |
| Main cast | Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, F. Murray Abraham |
| Runtime | 170 minutes |
| Setting | Miami, from 1980 |
| Music | Giorgio Moroder |
Key Dates
| Year | Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Scarface (original) | Howard Hawks' gangster film, the basis for the remake |
| 1982–1983 | Filming | Shot mostly in Los Angeles, with scenes in Miami Beach |
| 1983 | Scarface | Released 9 December; three Golden Globe nominations |
| 2003 | Music Inspired by Scarface | Def Jam album celebrating its hip-hop influence |
| 2008 | AFI's 10 Top 10 | Ranked No. 10 among gangster films |
| 2025 | New version announced | Danny Ramirez attached to produce and star |
Scarface took around $66 million at the box office including re-releases, and its reputation has grown with every decade since.
A Remake With a New Setting
Producer Martin Bregman and Al Pacino set out to remake Howard Hawks' 1932 gangster film. Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay, moving the story from Prohibition-era Chicago to 1980s Miami.
Tony Montana arrives in Florida as a Cuban refugee during the 1980 Mariel boatlift and rises, then falls, in the city's criminal underworld.
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Pacino as Tony Montana
Pacino's ferocious performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama. Steven Bauer, as Manny, was also nominated, as was Giorgio Moroder for his synth-driven score.
Michelle Pfeiffer, as Elvira, landed one of her first major film roles.
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Where Scarface Was Filmed
Most of the film was shot in Los Angeles, with some scenes filmed in Miami Beach, including Ocean Drive and the Fontainebleau hotel. Tony's grand mansion was the El Fureidis estate near Santa Barbara.
The film also had a battle with censors: it was initially rated X, before an appeal secured an R rating.
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From Cult Film to Culture
Over the years Scarface found a huge audience, especially in hip-hop, where Tony Montana became a reference point. In 2008 the American Film Institute ranked it the tenth-greatest gangster film, and the "little friend" line made AFI's list of 100 greatest movie quotes.
Awards
Golden Globe Nominations
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Al Pacino)
- Best Supporting Actor (Steven Bauer)
- Best Original Score (Giorgio Moroder)
American Film Institute
- No. 10 gangster film in AFI's 10 Top 10 (2008)
- No. 61 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes
Behind the Scenes
Filming ran from November 1982 to May 1983, and much of it moved to Los Angeles after the production struggled to secure Miami locations. Al Pacino, born on 25 April 1940, is now 86, and his memoir Sonny Boy was published in October 2024.
FAQs
When did Scarface come out?
It was released in the US on 9 December 1983, after a New York premiere on 1 December.
Where was Scarface filmed?
Mostly in Los Angeles, with some scenes in Miami Beach. The mansion was El Fureidis, near Santa Barbara.
Who directed Scarface?
Brian De Palma directed it from a screenplay by Oliver Stone.
Is Scarface a remake?
Yes. It is a remake of Howard Hawks' 1932 film of the same name.
How old is Al Pacino?
Al Pacino was born on 25 April 1940, so he is 86.
Who played Elvira in Scarface?
Michelle Pfeiffer played Elvira Hancock.
Shop the Scarface Collection
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Scarface Men's Hoodie
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Al Pacino Men's Hoodie
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Top Film Directors and List of the 100 Most Popular Actors.
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