The original Scarface

The 1932 version of Scarface was original in the sense that is provided something new for American audiences. It showed gunfights, death, and an anti-hero who moviegoers were rooting for. It was one of the first films to show the dark side of the American Dream. But, most of all, it was one of the first gangster movies. Mob movies would go on to become immensely popular in the future, with such movies as The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Scarface the remake. They are the top names in the genre now, but it was the 1932 version that paved the way with its dark themes and edgy content.
When I watched it, the film surprised me because I was entertained by it. I would casually watch it today if I had it on DVD on rainy day and I had nothing to do. The film dealt with techniques that some action movies, or movies in general, have trouble dealing with today. This movie got it right without many other role model productions to learn from. The car chases, for example, even though they are going much slower compared to today's big budget special FX flicks, were fun to watch, as the main character, Tony, ran away from assassins or his henchmen chased down targets with guns blasting out of the window. Another example is the surprisingly intense gunfights. The scene where Tony and company are getting shot at by the rival Irish gang in the café by Tommy guns sees bystanders go down, the café decimated, and the characters pinned down. It is very entertaining to watch.
Another thing the movie dealt with really well is the complexity of the narrative. The Depression was just starting and many citizens were firm believers of the American Dream; to achieve a high status and live the good life with endless money. This film showed the dark side of that dream. It showed audiences one way to achieve the dream is through crime, where you become powerful at the cost of your own soul being corrupted. Also, the lighted sign that continually appeared that said, "The world is yours," spoke to many Americans. However, by the end of the film, the world that Tony believed was his had been destroyed. While it must have been cool for audiences to look into the exaggerated gangster lifestyle, it also served as a grim reminder for the country's state of being.
The main character, Tony, was a complex character that added to the narrative. He was the anti-hero. He was the villain in most other movies. This film saw audiences rooting for the bad guy in his quest for power. His dialogue was clever and his persona exalted swagger and intimidation. He had literal scars from past encounters; the "X" scar on his face that parallel the other "X's" in the movie when he "Xed" them out of the picture. That's tough character to put on screen, no matter what the time period. Tony Camonte was ranked number 47 on AFI's 100 years...100 heroes and villains.
The 1932 Scarface stands the test of time because of the new ideas it perfected and brought to the table. It would inspire not just gangster movies, but action movies alike. Anyone can watch it today and say it is well-put together picture.