Scarface Guide Questions

1. Note the stylized use of black and white cinematography. What are some effective examples of this cinematography?  Note in particular a few examples of the use of the ‘X’ symbol to symbolize murder in the film.
1. The stylized use of black and white cinematography created a shady film noir vibe which allowed for a constant feeling like terror was hiding in the shadows ready to steal its next victim through mob violence. Very interestingly whenever a character was about to die a “X” symbol was displayed in the shot by using the black and white shadows of either darkness or light to emphasize the eminent fate of the character, acting as a recurring symbol for murder throughout the film.
2. How does the movie attempt to position itself as condemning gang violence and the government’s response to it?
1. The movie attempts to position itself as condemning gang violence and the government’s response to it by showing the intense violence between the mob and government, and showing how both sides suffer many meaningless deaths, specifically be making Tony die a coward rather than in a blaze of glory as they had originally wanted to).  
3. What specific actions must Comonte take to ascend the ranks of power in the mob?
1. To ascend the ranks of power in the mob Comonte has to betray his superiors, those he had pledged to protect, and take power by killing those who stand in his way and scare and bribe others to follow his new lead.
4. What moment indicates Tony’s passions getting the better of him while simultaneously taking his penchant for excessive violence too far?
1. The moment that indicates Tony’s passions are getting the better of him while simultaneously taking his penchant for excessive violence too far is when Tony is yelling at his sister for dressing in a revealing dress and letting other men look at her that way, when he rips her dress revealing her brassiere.
5. Note the repeated use of the phrase, “expensive, eh?”. Why is this important to Camonte’s character?
1. The repeated use of the phrase, “expensive, eh?” is important to Camonte’s character because it emphasizes the importance he puts on being able to afford and be the best, the idea that he doesn't want anything to be to expensive for him to acquire.
6. Identify TWO of Camonte’s trademarks as a mobster. How does he use this trademark to strike fear into his opponents?
1. Two trademarks of Camonte as a mobster are his thirst for power, money, and respect. Camonte begins his rise to power by using force to bully the bar owners to buy his booze, giving him more money and therefore more power to wield over his opponents and strike fear into their hearts. Camonte also strives to gain respect as he gains more power and the increase in respect for him correlates with the increase in fear of him.  
7. Many critics have noted the bizarre and somewhat perverse relationship between Camonte and his sister. What are some examples of this relationship?  Why was this included in the film?
1. Some examples of the bizarre and somewhat perverse relationship between Camonte and his sister are when he won’t let her date men, he won’t let her dress in any way that makes her attractive to other men because he doesn’t think she should be letting them look at her, basically he is a over controlling brother who wants to micromanage all of his sister’s life so that no other man can come between them. This is included in the film to further fight against glorifying the gangster, by making the viewer grossed out by Camonte and how he treats his sister then the viewer is less inclined to look up to Camonte as someone they want to be.
8. Were the censors correct in contending that the film glorifies violence or glorifies the mobster too much? Explain your opinion with specific examples.
1. No, the censors were incorrect in contending that the film glorifies violence or glorifies the mobster too much because it doesn’t idealize Camonte or make him a character you want to follow or become because they make him gross with his relationship with his sister and his ultimate destruction and death as a direct result of the mistakes he made, and the people he crossed, due to his thirst for power and wealth.
9. What message is on the sign outside Camonte’s window and what is ironic about its inclusion in the final scene?
1. The message on the sign outside Camonte’s window that says, “The World is Yours,” is ironic due to its conclusion in the final scene because once he finally amassed enough power to believe that the world is his, that is the turning point of his downfall because he becomes cocky and lazy and it results in him being vulnerable and weak and ultimately easily defeatable, showing that no one can truly gain or hold the control of the world.
10. Contrast the real ending to the alternate ending of the movie. Which ending is more satisfying and why? Which is more consistent with Camonte’s character?  Finally, consider the final moments of the DePalma version as well. Why does the filmmaker decide to make his version of the movie differently and how does it change the feelings of the viewer at the conclusion of the movie?
1. The alternative ending is more entertaining to watch because watching Camonte die in a blaze of glory is the iconic ending of Scarface, although I think regardless of the ending neither glorifies the gangster enough to make Camonte a character that viewers should want to embody or follow because regardless he dies.
2. The alternate ending is more consistent with Camonte’s character because he is in it for the glory so he would rather go out with a bang than as a coward, though either way he was cowardly in his approach to power, such as when he killed his sister's husband to keep control over her.
3. The final moments of the DePalma version follows the alternate ending of the original movie, keeping with the version in which Camonte dies in a blaze of glory while fighting off a ton of gangsters and police. The filmmaker decides to make this version of the movie differently by having him almost succeed and then when he gets too sure of his own success someone comes from behind and kills him point blank, thereby changing the feelings of the viewer at the conclusion of the movie because it shows that no matter how on top of the world he feels he can be taken down like any other man, therefore counteracting the glorification of the gangster.