NOTE: Imprint offer the option of both the original theatrical version of the film and alternate censored version (approx 2-minutes longer) - seamlessly-branched with the HD quality duplicated for both versions.      

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original English language. It still suffers from its production age and limitations but has more depth in the lossless. The DVD sound was always a bit hollow. Dialogue was audible if weaker in the high end but the Thompson submachine gunfire packs a more surprising wallop. The score by Adolph Tandler is augmented with St. Louis Blues played by Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra as people dance in the club, Some of These Days danced to by Ann Dvorak and Warner Richmond, Karen Morley and Paul Muni and other couples , Wreck of the Old 97 sung by Ann Dvorak to George Raft and, lastly, Gaetano Donizetti's, now chilling, Sextet from 'Lucia di Lammermoor' whistled by Muni's Tony before he kills Costillo and Lovo. It all sounds very supportive in the uncompressed transfer. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Dr. Drew Casper. He did the commentary for the Blu-ray of Raoul Walsh's White Heat and is the author of Postwar Hollywood: 1946-1962. He's a delight to listen to discussing Howard Hawks and writer Ben Hecht extensively. His analysis and observations are explored wonderfully and he still provides a great, informative, commentary that builds appreciation in the film. There is also a new, 22-minute, video interview with film critic Matthew Sweet who talks about censorship, the figure of Al Capone and crime as a business "Gangster Capitalism". There is also a new interview, shy of 1/2 hour, with screenwriter and film critic Tony Rayns. He discusses Hawks, Howard Hughes, the director's adoration by French critics, Hawks' self aggrandizement - made up stories - Hecht, the unofficial censorship at the time, local restrictions, the eventual adoption of the Haynes Code and much more. Imprint repeat the 2-minute introduction by TCM Classic Movies host and film historian Robert Osborne, 10-minutes of the alternate ending and theatrical trailer. This has a limited edition slipcase on the first 1500 copies.

What a pleasure to revisit this classic with a new revealing commentary, insightful interviews and in the richness of a 1080P transfer with uncompressed sound. 19032's Scarface has the rise and fall of 'Tony', courting Poppy, protectiveness of his sister Cesca (wonderfully played by hypnotic Ann Dvorak), coldly wiping out anyone who opposes him or that he deems as a threat; seeing young, but impacting George Raft, Boris Karloff and how the film ushered in a new era of Gangster/crime genre films, plus the harshness and lack of sentimentality... Hawks brilliance created a work we discusses 90-year later. This is a masterpiece and so great to finally have on Blu-ray. Thank you Imprint - this is strongly recommended!     

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ADDITION: Universal - lone edition - May 07': It is different, but not discernibly. I suspect that the blacks and possibly brightness have been very slightly enhanced. Trouble is when that is done it sometimes brings out the damage marks a bit more prominently. Sometimes the artifacts are more visible than the other two. It includes the alternate ending and adds the perennial Robert Osborne introduction. I hoped for a lot more (commentary, supplements or how about just being dual-layered) but realistically I new this is what we would get. Still for the price it is a must-have if you don't own it already.

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One of the greatest crimes associated with Howard Hawks 1932 Scarface is that the only available DVD for region one locked viewers is in the super ostentatious 1983 (De Palma) Scarface Deluxe Giftset (compared HERE). Come one Universal! It truly is a crime to force Noir die-hards to spend $50 for something that multi-region users can get for about 1/5 of the price.

If there is any difference between the NTSC and PAL editions it is very slight. Both are progressive, have rich black levels (possibly boosted) and some digital noise. Light scratches and infrequent damage marks are visible on both - in the same spots. The PAL edition is region coded to sell as extensively as possible with multiple subtitles and DUB options. Both have the alternate ending sequence and some trailers as an extra. The R2 is dual-layered where the NTSC is single-layered - perhaps for all the extra DUBs and subs - I'm not sure.

If you are not yet capable of viewing all regions yet, and are a fan of this Hawks masterpiece we suggest buying a reasonable-priced player and buying the European edition rather than succumbing to the extravagant 83' Giftset packaging (truly ridiculous). Of course, once you open the region-free door you have really taken the blinders off and will undoubtedly purchase other great cinema previously unavailable to you.

Bottom line: If you own the 83' version Deluxe Giftset there is no reason to buy the PAL, otherwise we suggest a great savings by purchasing one of the European editions (which basically are all the same to my knowledge). Calling Scarface (1932) a classic film is almost an understatement.       

 - Gary Tooze