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Scarface: The Ultimate Guide
"I always tell the truth. Even when I lie."
- Tony Montana
Scarface is a powerful, stylized commentary on violence, materialism, excess, corruption and crime in America. Set during the drug-driven decadence of Miami in the 1980s, it is a rags to riches story about the rise and fall of an illegal immigrant from dishwasher to narcotics kingpin who is undone by greed and delusions of grandeur triggered by cocaine psychosis. It is both thrilling entertainment and a wicked, nightmarish parody of the American dream.
Scarface: The Ultimate Guide places the movie in its historical context and examines its origins, development, production, release, critical reception and current status in the culture. The highlight of the book is a detailed analysis of the movie from first frame to FADE OUT.
Everything there is to possibly know about the history of the 1983 gangster classic is here.
Who really came up with the idea? Martin Bregman or Al Pacino?
How many of the 18 creatures mentioned in the film can you name?
Did Pacino ad-lib the word 'yeyo'?
Why do rappers like the film so much?
How does music play a part in the movie?
Is Scarface anti-Semitic?
What is the relevance of the pelican?
Was it really dismissed by critics?
What did Quentin Tarantino steal from the movie?
Where does the line 'Don't get high on your own supply' come from?
Did you know the production was chased out of Miami and had to relocate to L.A.?
What is the significance of the name 'Elvira'?
Was Omar Suarez a stoolie?
Why are there so many background shots of US Presidents in the movie?
Is the chainsaw scene really violent?
Why are there so many errors in the movie?
Where was Sosa's estate shot?
What are Tony's true feelings about his sister?
Who exactly is Nick The Pig?
Sit back, grab a glass of gin, spark up a Cuban cigar, check the magazine in your M16 assault rifle with 40mm grenade launcher, find a mirror or clear a surface on your desk and let Scarface: The Ultimate Guide take you on an illuminating tour of your favorite movie.
"Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi. Get the yeyo."
- Tony Montana
Scarface is a powerful, stylized commentary on violence, materialism, excess, corruption and crime in America. Set during the drug-driven decadence of Miami in the 1980s, it is a rags to riches story about the rise and fall of an illegal immigrant from dishwasher to narcotics kingpin who is undone by greed and delusions of grandeur triggered by cocaine psychosis. It is both thrilling entertainment and a wicked, nightmarish parody of the American dream.
Scarface: The Ultimate Guide places the movie in its historical context and examines its origins, development, production, release, critical reception and current status in the culture. The highlight of the book is a detailed analysis of the movie from first frame to FADE OUT.
Everything there is to possibly know about the history of the 1983 gangster classic is here.
Who really came up with the idea? Martin Bregman or Al Pacino?
How many of the 18 creatures mentioned in the film can you name?
Did Pacino ad-lib the word 'yeyo'?
Why do rappers like the film so much?
How does music play a part in the movie?
Is Scarface anti-Semitic?
What is the relevance of the pelican?
Was it really dismissed by critics?
What did Quentin Tarantino steal from the movie?
Where does the line 'Don't get high on your own supply' come from?
Did you know the production was chased out of Miami and had to relocate to L.A.?
What is the significance of the name 'Elvira'?
Was Omar Suarez a stoolie?
Why are there so many background shots of US Presidents in the movie?
Is the chainsaw scene really violent?
Why are there so many errors in the movie?
Where was Sosa's estate shot?
What are Tony's true feelings about his sister?
Who exactly is Nick The Pig?
Sit back, grab a glass of gin, spark up a Cuban cigar, check the magazine in your M16 assault rifle with 40mm grenade launcher, find a mirror or clear a surface on your desk and let Scarface: The Ultimate Guide take you on an illuminating tour of your favorite movie.
"Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi. Get the yeyo."
- GenresNonfiction
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 7, 2018
Short, cheap, funny, good buy for the fans of one of the best ever made. Fly, pelican!!!
July 20, 2022
Excellent!
There are so many things, that I know I missed the first time I saw it. Will have to rewatch, with the knowledge gleaned from this.
There are so many things, that I know I missed the first time I saw it. Will have to rewatch, with the knowledge gleaned from this.
September 3, 2022
Describing this as a book is generous. I’d go with pamphlet. Hardly more than accumulated facts from the intranet. Two stars because it saves me googling.
August 26, 2013
"From Conception to Birth of Movie "Scarface, 1983"
This review is from: Scarface: The Ultimate Guide (Kindle Edition)
This guide is an awesome account of the remake of the 1932 movie "Scarface" directed by Howard Hawkes and produced by Howard Hughes, based on the 1929 novel by Maurice Coons writing as Armitage Trail. The 1983 version, starring Al Pacino, was promoted to Universal Studios by Marty Bregman. The first screenplay was written by Brian DePalma and David Rabe which met some dissatisfaction, and thus Sidney Lumet and Oliver Stone were their replacements. Sidney Lumet's idea was to feature Miami as the location and to address drug trafficking which was at an all time high at the time in southern Florida. This, in itself, came with some concerns by politicians which is a close-up-shot of just how difficult it would be to film it in Miami. The gangsters, rather than Chicago or New York types, are Latino, the first time ever for a major film. The two movies share the same plot, characters and both are incredibly violent. Author Stevenson states the 1932 version spewed more bullets, whereas the 1983 version spewed more bloody scenes. Much research was personally conducted by Oliver Stone with not only law enforcement agencies, but also actual drug runners. This guide reveals so many hurdles which filmmakers went through to get "Scarface" on the screen. The 1983 movie was the defining role for Pacino and launched him into a higher level of his career. The author also points out many faux pas throughout the film which are humorous; watch the movie again and see if you can catch all he points out. The guide also reveals the movie as a three-act play, giving brief highlights of each act, musical scores, and describing some props/effects. It is apparent the author has in-depth knowledge and research talents to write such a concise and awesome guide. Damian Stevenson is a brilliant writer, a master in his field, and very analytical. Having never seen the movie, I was inspired to do so. I bought and downloaded the HD version onto my Kindle Fire. You'll want to see the movie again after reading this great entertaining guide.
This review is from: Scarface: The Ultimate Guide (Kindle Edition)
This guide is an awesome account of the remake of the 1932 movie "Scarface" directed by Howard Hawkes and produced by Howard Hughes, based on the 1929 novel by Maurice Coons writing as Armitage Trail. The 1983 version, starring Al Pacino, was promoted to Universal Studios by Marty Bregman. The first screenplay was written by Brian DePalma and David Rabe which met some dissatisfaction, and thus Sidney Lumet and Oliver Stone were their replacements. Sidney Lumet's idea was to feature Miami as the location and to address drug trafficking which was at an all time high at the time in southern Florida. This, in itself, came with some concerns by politicians which is a close-up-shot of just how difficult it would be to film it in Miami. The gangsters, rather than Chicago or New York types, are Latino, the first time ever for a major film. The two movies share the same plot, characters and both are incredibly violent. Author Stevenson states the 1932 version spewed more bullets, whereas the 1983 version spewed more bloody scenes. Much research was personally conducted by Oliver Stone with not only law enforcement agencies, but also actual drug runners. This guide reveals so many hurdles which filmmakers went through to get "Scarface" on the screen. The 1983 movie was the defining role for Pacino and launched him into a higher level of his career. The author also points out many faux pas throughout the film which are humorous; watch the movie again and see if you can catch all he points out. The guide also reveals the movie as a three-act play, giving brief highlights of each act, musical scores, and describing some props/effects. It is apparent the author has in-depth knowledge and research talents to write such a concise and awesome guide. Damian Stevenson is a brilliant writer, a master in his field, and very analytical. Having never seen the movie, I was inspired to do so. I bought and downloaded the HD version onto my Kindle Fire. You'll want to see the movie again after reading this great entertaining guide.
August 27, 2013
Wow! This is an amazingly informative and readable guide. If you love, like, or are just curious about the movie Scarface, this guide is for you. It provides a thorough, detailed, and extremely well-researched analysis of the movie, complete with a comparison of the original 1932 version and its 1983 remake. I loved this line that Mr. Stevenson writes in his comparison, "There are more bullets in the 1932 movie and more blood in 1983."
He follows up this point with an insightful analysis of the use of violence in movies, and the differences in suggested violence (think the shower scene in Psycho) and violence shown on the screen. Suggested violence, writes Mr. Stevenson, "is still shocking and disturbing."
This guide doesn't leave a single aspect of the movie untouched: themes, music, critical reception, selection of actors, historical background, cinematic techniques and parallels between Scarface, Psycho, Pulp Fiction and even Macbeth, it's all here. Movie buffs are sure to love this ultimate guide.
He follows up this point with an insightful analysis of the use of violence in movies, and the differences in suggested violence (think the shower scene in Psycho) and violence shown on the screen. Suggested violence, writes Mr. Stevenson, "is still shocking and disturbing."
This guide doesn't leave a single aspect of the movie untouched: themes, music, critical reception, selection of actors, historical background, cinematic techniques and parallels between Scarface, Psycho, Pulp Fiction and even Macbeth, it's all here. Movie buffs are sure to love this ultimate guide.
July 19, 2016
A strong 5***** Fantastic!!!
Scarface: The Ultimate Guide by Damian Stevenson
A superb book for cult die-hards of the film Scarface - a highly informative read, which will bring back many memories from this super film!
Stevenson has crafted something special with this classic and is certainly not one to pass by. A great writer of novels such as, Operation Armada (Book 1 of The Ian Fleming Files) and The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Parsifal - so, no surprise to see this comprehensive guide.
The details are very well put together, capturing the essence of the characters, the movie and the film-making aspects throughout the pages. Good in-depth research is included defining the role of Pacino and the rest of the cast - Stevenson presents this very well indeed.
An all-time gangster hit - any fan of the film or movie buff should now grab the book!!!
A strong 5***** Fantastic!!!
Scarface: The Ultimate Guide by Damian Stevenson
A superb book for cult die-hards of the film Scarface - a highly informative read, which will bring back many memories from this super film!
Stevenson has crafted something special with this classic and is certainly not one to pass by. A great writer of novels such as, Operation Armada (Book 1 of The Ian Fleming Files) and The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Parsifal - so, no surprise to see this comprehensive guide.
The details are very well put together, capturing the essence of the characters, the movie and the film-making aspects throughout the pages. Good in-depth research is included defining the role of Pacino and the rest of the cast - Stevenson presents this very well indeed.
An all-time gangster hit - any fan of the film or movie buff should now grab the book!!!
A strong 5***** Fantastic!!!
November 16, 2013
I have a unique perspective as a 20 something because this is not a movie I grew up with, this was not a defining film of my lifetime. I heard about this book and decided to give it a try and I am thrilled that I did. Not only did Stevenson ignite in me a deeper understanding of Hollywood he brought a movie to life for me. Often I have heard of Scarface as a classic and a must watch but I never heard or saw true passion until I read this guide.
This guide covers all aspects of this film including music, lighting and wardrobe. Stevenson really compels us to think further on subjects that we may not have otherwise considered about movies and life. For example, he talks about on and off camera violence and concludes (teaches) that even violence we can't see in detail has a huge impact. I loved this book. I learned a lot about the making of movies and about this movie. I am now a huge Scarface fan.
This guide covers all aspects of this film including music, lighting and wardrobe. Stevenson really compels us to think further on subjects that we may not have otherwise considered about movies and life. For example, he talks about on and off camera violence and concludes (teaches) that even violence we can't see in detail has a huge impact. I loved this book. I learned a lot about the making of movies and about this movie. I am now a huge Scarface fan.
January 6, 2014
The shower scene in the original Psycho remains my favorite terrifying movie memory, but the shower scene in Scarface was a pretty close second. Though not typically a movie aficionado, there are a few films that have captured my attention. Scarface is one, which is obviously the reason Damian Stevens's book caught my eye. I've watched and enjoyed both the original movie and the remake, and I believe Al Capone would have approved both. I also believe he would have appreciated the detailed analysis and thoughtful comparison made by Mr. Stevens that brought Scarface to life in both films. The book takes you through the background, as well as the movie, and highlights details that I would never have recognized. I loved it!
August 26, 2013
This is a brilliant book regardless of whether or not you are a huge Scarface fan. I enjoyed the book as a big film fan and it did have me reaching for the DVD. The book is encyclopedic in its wealth of information about the film and is well-organised and very engaging.
I look forward to reading other film books which the author promises.
I look forward to reading other film books which the author promises.
February 2, 2015
"Scarface: The Ultimate Guide" by Damian Stevenson is a very informative and competent book about one of the most influential movies of all times. Written with sound knowledge and an obvious love for the genre and the film, this is a must have and must read for students, teachers and film buffs alike.
Excellent.
Excellent.
April 30, 2015
Scarface ~ The Ultimate Guide does what the name suggests, it gives the reader the ultimate guide to this 1983 movie thriller. If you ever wondered anything about this film and how it was made, this is the book for you. Any serious movie lover will love this book about the classic move Scarface.
September 25, 2013
It is exactly as the title says. This is the comprehensive guide to the film Scarface (1983). A fan of the film would love this.
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February 3, 2014Enjoyable
read about a movie that is as relevant today as when it first came out..... the World is yours, the American dream is a goal with pitfalls
read about a movie that is as relevant today as when it first came out..... the World is yours, the American dream is a goal with pitfalls
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews