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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Scarface: The Shame of the Nation")

 

directed by Howard Hawks
USA 1932

 

My all-time favorite gangster film, put together like a macabre black comedy that eventually veers into something very close to Greek tragedy (complete with brother-sister incest), Howard Hawks’ uncharacteristic masterpiece beats out the Godfather features in at least one major respect: it is completely unsentimental about both crime and violence. (Among the half-dozen credited and uncredited hands who worked on the brittle script are Ben Hecht, W.R. Burnett, and Hawks himself.) The movie is in fact so blunt (Howard Hughes, the producer, always had a taste  for scandalizing his audience) that it had endless battles with censors, a few of which it lost, yet its anarchic spirit shines through triumphantly in spite of everything. (The only concession—a stupid dialogue scene among Concerned Citizens—clearly belongs to a different picture.) Paul Muni’s galvanic screen debut in the title role, Tony Camonte, a lout with a distinct resemblance to Al Capone, plays him like an innocent caveman, at once charming and terrifying. And the secondary cast—Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley, Boris Karloff, George Raft (another memorable debut, featuring his signature coin-flipping), Vince Burnett (as an illiterate secretary who makes Tony Camonte seem like an intellectual), Osgood Perkins (father of Anthony)—bristles with uncommon, manic energy. Note: every time some gets  bumped off in this movie, which is pretty often, an X appears somewhere on the screen, and the placements of these markers both ingenious and unnerving.

Excerpt from Jonathan Rosenbaum's article "30 Great Movies on DVD" located HERE


Posters

Theatrical Release: March  31st,1932 - USA

Reviews                                                      More Reviews                                     DVD Reviews

Comparison: 

Universal (lone edition) - Region  1 - NTSC vs. Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL vs. Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

Box Cover

 

BONUS CAPTURES:

Also available on Blu-ray from Universal in 2019:

 

Distribution

Universal

Region 1 - NTSC

Universal from Scarface (1983) Deluxe Gift Set

Region 1 - NTSC

Universal

Region 2,4,5 - PAL

Imprint - Spine #37 - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:33:30  1:33:30  1:29:42 1:29:42

Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.23 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 8.68 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 8.79 mb/s

PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,269,797,653 bytes

Feature: 28,337,344,512 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.06 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate : Universal

NTSC (lone)

Bitrate : Universal

NTSC (in Boxset)

Bitrate: Universal PAL

Bitrate: Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono)  English (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono)  English (Dolby Digital 1.0),DUBs: French, German, Italian, Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0)

LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit

Commentary:

LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit

Subtitles English (Closed Captions), French, or none. English (Closed Captions), French, Spanish or none. English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, None English. none
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Universal

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Robert Osborne Introduction (2:23)

• Alternate Ending

DVD Release Date:  May 22nd, 2007
Keep Case
Chapters: 18

Release Information:
Studio: Universal

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Alternate Ending
• Trailers

DVD Release Date: September 30, 2003
Keep Case in Collector's Box
Chapters: 18

Release Information:
Studio: Universal (Anniversary Edition)

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Alternate Ending
• Trailers

 

DVD Release Date: December 26th, 2005
Keep Case

Chapters 18

Release Information:
Studio:
Imprint

 

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,269,797,653 bytes

Feature: 28,337,344,512 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.06 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Audio Commentary with film historian Drew Casper on Theatrical Version (2020)
Video interview with film critic Matthew Sweet (2020) 22:27
Video Interview with screenwriter & film critic Tony Rayns (2020) 27:20
Theatrical Trailer (2:53)
Original Theatrical Version of the film
Alternate Censored Version of the film
Introduction by TCM Classic Movies host and film historian Robert Osborne (2:22)
Alternate Ending (10:38)
Limited Edition slipcase on the first 1500 copies


Blu-ray Release Date:
May 7th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray inside slipcase

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (May 2021): Imprint have transferred Howard Hawks' 1932 Pre-code Scarface to Blu-ray. It is cited as a "1080p high definition presentation from Universal Pictures". It immediately impresses with the richer black levels, heavy texture and significantly more information in the frame on the left and top edges - losing a sliver on the right. It is a significant amount and the image does seem to make the DVDs looks vertically stretched. The1080P  image is gorgeous with heavy grain but we may lose some detail (smoke) as compared to the negligibly brighter SD transfers. I don't know if this is a different source but some small damage marks appear removed. Without overly-nitpicking the image - I thought it looks extremely impressive on my system - especially for those who love thick grain. The heavier black levels seem to upgrade the presentation notably.

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!     

***

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.

***

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

 


DVD Menus

 

Universal (lone edition) - Region 1 - NTSC

 



(Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL RIGHT)

 

 
 

 

Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 


Subtitle Sample - Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 



 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

1) Universal (lone edition) - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Universal - 83' Deluxe Giftset - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Universal - Region 2,4,5 - PAL THIRD

4) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE


 

Report Card:

 

Image:

Imprint - Spine #37 - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Sound:

Imprint - Spine #37 - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Extras: Imprint - Spine #37 - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 
Box Cover

 

Also available on Blu-ray from Universal in 2019:

 

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution

Universal

Region 1 - NTSC

Universal from Scarface (1983) Deluxe Gift Set

Region 1 - NTSC

Universal

Region 2,4,5 - PAL

Imprint - Spine #37 - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

 

 


Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

 

 

 




 

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