One would think that an actor has perhaps one, or maybe two great films of the same genre in their arsenal. But Al Pacino has three. After starring in The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II, Pacino headlined an entirely different kind of gangster movie under the direction of Brian De Palma. Released in 1983, the movie Scarface was based on a 1930 novel of the same name, which had previously served as the inspiration for a 1932 movie directed by Howard Hawks. Both the book and the pre-Code original film were said to have been inspired by the real-life gangster Al Capone, who, of course, was played most memorably only a few years after Pacino’s Scarface by Robert De Niro, in The Untouchables, also directed by De Palma.

A new generation of audiences will get to experience the maximalist charm of Scarface on Netflix as of October 1. The three-hour epic follows the rise of Cuban immigrant Tony Montana, who remains perhaps one of the most iconic movie characters of all time. Certainly, he’s among the most memorable characters that Pacino has ever played, just as he was transitioning into a more broad performance style. Scarface is also remembered for featuring quotable lines of dialogue, such as, “Say hello to my little friend,” which Montana yells in a gunfight scene that has been incredibly influential.

Also starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Scarface opened to positive reviews, although some concerns were raised about its graphic violence. The movie holds a “certified fresh” 79% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Director Brian De Palma and star Al Pacino take it to the limit in this stylized, ultra-violent and eminently quotable gangster epic that walks a thin white line between moral drama and celebratory excess.” Scarface grossed over $65 million at the global box office, against a budget that was reported to be as high as $37 million.

‘Scarface’ Was Controversial for Its Depiction of Violence

Scarface initially received the infamous X rating, which was usually reserved for pornographic films. The rating was turned to an R after a successful appeal. Written by Oliver Stone, the movie has been cited by Martin Scorsese as an influence, and has impacted pop-culture in ways that transcend cinema. It might exist briefly on Netflix, but it’ll live on forever on the walls of college dorms. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Release Date

December 9, 1983

Runtime

170 minutes

Director

Brian De Palma

Writers

Oliver Stone

Producers

Louis A. Stroller

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