Scarface: the moments that made the film with Al Pacino a jewel of cinema

Without a doubt, one of the most internationally recognized films of the eighties is ScarfaceFrom Brian DePalma. The classic protagonist Al Pacino is considered one of the greatest productions of all time, which helped to solidify the genre of organized crimewhich had lost some popularity during that decade.

The script was responsible for Oliver Stonean acclaimed film director and director of films such as Natural born killers, platoon AND born on July 4th. However, the story It’s not an entirely original plot of yoursbut is inspired by a Film from 1932of the same name.

This previous feature film, directed by Howard Hawksit was based on the 1929 novel of the same name, which sought to portray the life of a gangster Al Capone. The idea of update this story and taking him out of the 1920s, as had originally happened, was a joint decision by the producer Marty Bergman and the director Sidney Lumetwho offered the address to De Palma.

The decision that gave Scarface enormous popularity

One of the fundamental factors of the film is the moment in which it takes place. During early eightiesit happened great exodus of Cubans to the United States; these people were given the nickname “marielitos” (because they left the port of Mariel).

The makers of the film decided to move the original story to that point to give it a more modern look. Thus, the character of Anthony “Tony” Montana, a Cuban ex-con who comes to the United States and builds a drug trafficking empire. This decision managed to capture the public’s attention, with a modern proposal and away from the older gangsters.

Likewise, this has had some consequences. The film is set in the city of You love mebut many scenes they were to be filmed in Los Angelesdue to pressure from some sectors of the Cuban trade unions, who felt that the feature film would unfairly show them as mobsters or drug dealers.

Another detail that few know about the film is what is the substance that mimics cocaine. After the premiere of Scarface, it was rumored that Pacino actually used this drug, but it was finally revealed what it is: InositolA vitamin B complexwhich has a cocaine-like appearance and is easier to handle than other products, such as flour or powdered sugar.

Finally, although little is known about it, the production itself risked not taking place. The study that produced it, Universal imagesthere was a tough debate between accepting Pacino’s proposal and De Palma or a project presented by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese. Finally, for the energy of Pacino and the tragic history of ScarfaceThey decided to choose her.