Scarface (1932)

As the prohibition era suffocates America, a flourishing underworld of illegal alcohol paves the way for ruthless ambition and unbridled power. In Chicago, the city is carved into territories, each controlled by different gangs. The equilibrium of illicit power is maintained as long as each gang keeps to its district. However, this balance shatters when Tony Camonte, a brutish bodyguard, orchestrates the murder of his boss, Louis Costillo, aligning himself with another rising gangster, Johnny Lovo. Lovo, now at the helm of the south side bootlegging syndicate, basks in power, guided by Tony's ruthless ambition and relentless drive. Together, they daringly encroach on territories of rival gangs, eliminating their leaders and forcing pubs to pledge their loyalty. Their audacious exploits ignite a city-wide war amongst the gangs, the streets of Chicago becoming a chessboard for their deadly game. But Tony is restless playing second fiddle to Lovo. His aspirations are grander, his fearlessness more pronounced, and his disregard for the rules, more blatant. He disobeys his boss, brazenly oversteps into the north side, a realm controlled by an Irish gang led by the formidable O'Hara, and stokes the flames of a brewing power struggle. Meanwhile, Tony's romantic interests complicate the already volatile situation. He is irresistibly drawn to Poppy, Lovo's glamorous girlfriend, and his protective obsession over his eighteen-year-old sister, Cesca, reveals a softer side of his otherwise hardened exterior. As Tony's power grows, so does his audacity, leading to a deadly turn of events that sees him eliminate Lovo and claim the throne for himself. Now the king of Chicago's underworld, Tony is seemingly invincible. Yet, his Achilles heel lies in his overprotective nature towards Cesca. His sister's rebellious streak and her growing realization of their similar traits, coupled with Tony's wrathful response to any perceived threats to her innocence, make him vulnerable to attacks from rival gangs and law enforcement. Scarface (1932) is a riveting tale of ambition, power, and downfall set against the backdrop of the prohibition era, revealing the volatile dynamics of gang warfare and the perilous journey of a man who would be king.

Scarface is a crime movie featuring Paul Muni.

Scarface is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Scarface on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.