Notes on Scarface

Notes for SCARFACE can be found in 25-34 of your revision ‘film noir’ booklet.

Here are some shortened notes to accompany the film which you will be watching this week:

• Gangsters in the film are always portrayed at ignorant and misogynistic, reflecting the treatment of women. 

• The film is not strictly recognised as film noir but certainly spurred the genre on. 

• The film was released in 1932. The film reflects the prohibition era, zoot suit riots and the Valentine’s day massacre. 

• It is said that Tony has a somewhat incestous relationship with his sister Francesca.

• The Hays code set ways to censor the film in the following ways: an apologetic/moral statement at the beginning of the film, various cuts and changes were made to the film and the voiceover, Tony’s mother was re-filmed to make dissaproving remarks to her son, although there are almost 30 deaths in the film blood is never shown and a second/more hopeful ending is shown.

• In the second/more hopeful ending.. Tony is left emasculated. 

• the film, despite all cuts and edits did not do well at the box office. This reflected that people weren’t quite ready for this new violent and horrific form of cinema.

• The Valentine’s Day massacre took place in 1929 and killed mob bosses during the prohibition era. Al Capone was the head of the gang.

• The film reflects racial segregation prevalent during this time. The Zoot suit riots occuring later also reflects this era.