It's not just that SCARFACE is far superior to the remake; it's also the fact that it was one of the most daring and controversial movies of its era (though there were compromises: the scene in the editor's office, where the "moral" is spelled out, was added after the film was completed, to appease the various censor boards), and it's still a fast, often startlingly funny, and vicious gangster movie. It doesn't ask you to feel sorry for the characters: rather, the movie assumes that you're fascinated because these characters live fast, hard, dangerous lives. Paul Muni was never better than in this movie (certainly, it's one of his toughest, most direct, least mannered pieces of work), and he's matched by a wonderful supporting cast, especially Ann Dvorak's sly, insinuating performance as his sister. Howard Hawks's direction is amazingly kinetic, and Lee Garmes's cinematography is dazzling (as layered and beautiful as his work for von Sternberg). Simply one of the great American classics!
Review of Scarface
