Scarface (1932) Incoming on Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Brent Reid]

The standalone US BD is due on Nov 5, 2019; it was released in Spain today, October 25,. Here's the Spanish Universal artwork; the US will probably be the same but in English:

As per the norm for Universal, all releases will be region free and look like having similar, if not identical, sub and dub options. Extras are the same as the re-released US Universal Cinema Classics DVD: an Introduction by TCM host Robert Osborne (2:23) and an alternate ending (8:19) that was shot for the censors but ultimately unused.

For the record, the original uncensored cut no longer exists, but the original uncensored ending does. That's the way the film was first released and is the version on all home video editions. I saw the restored film when screened at Il Cinema Ritrovato a couple of years ago and wondered why it wasn't released sooner. I assume they've been holding it back to tie in with the remake's UHD release, but either way I'm glad Tony Camonte's finally free!

 

[StarDestroyer52]

Superb news. Now it just needs to go up for pre-order and I will be pulling the trigger. No waiting on this one, already been waiting a long time.

 

[roxy1927]

How that ending wasn't censored I have no idea. It is as sexually and violently shocking today as it was then.

 

[RICK BOND]

Finally ! I have not seen it in years. Thanks for the Great news Brent ! : )

 

[skylark68]

This is good news. One of my favorite films of the era. I like it better than the Pacino film

 

[RICK BOND]

This is good news. One of my favorite films of the era. I like it better than the Pacino film

I Love Al Pacino. But never cared for the 1983 version. I always liked the original 1932 version better.

 

[david hare]

I have the BD of the 32 Hawks picture from the 83 Scarface edition. I first saw this restoration on 4K DCP in 2017 at Bologna. It was sensational. People I know in the biz were coming out of the cinema raving about how beautiful this new 35mm print it was. It wasn't what they thought but never mind.

The disc is slightly, very slightly not at that level. Grain, general grading, black levels, stability etc are superb but in a lot of medium shots detail seems to go a bit soft. Yet it isn't the grain, or DVNR or anything I can put my fingers on it. And I'm taking into account DP Lee Garmes' few soft focus shots of Ann Dvorak and Muni. The encode is strong with a max bitrate over 37 mbps. I haven't yet projected it yet but I was playing it back with 4K uprez on the 60 inch Teev. I will be interested to hear others' reactions. My quibble is extremely minor, indeed if Universal could put out all its 1932 releases including Paramount titles) at this level I would say I'd died and gone to heaven.

 

[Ray H]

Nice. Was hoping they’d release this outside that 4K set.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I have the BD of the 32 Hawks picture from the 83 Scarface edition. I first saw this restoration on 4K DCP in 2017 at Bologna. It was sensational. People I know in the biz were coming out of the cinema raving about how beautiful this new 35mm print it was. It wasn't what they thought but never mind.

The disc is slightly, very slightly not at that level. Grain, general grading, black levels, stability etc are superb but in a lot of medium shots detail seems to go a bit soft. Yet it isn't the grain, or DVNR or anything I can put my fingers on it. And I'm taking into account DP Lee Garmes' few soft focus shots of Ann Dvorak and Muni. The encode is strong with a max bitrate over 37 mbps. I haven't yet projected it yet but I was playing it back with 4K uprez on the 60 inch Teev. I will be interested to hear others' reactions. My quibble is extremely minor, indeed if Universal could put out all its 1932 releases including Paramount titles) at this level I would say I'd died and gone to heaven.

David,

Is there any mention of a 4K restoration on the disc itself or during playback?

 

[HawksFord]

This is excellent news!

 

[compson]

I’ve watched the BD of the ‘32 film that came with the limited edition of the 4K. It’s received good reviews on line, so I’m in the minority: to me, the picture is so soft it looks like uprezed SD.

 

[david hare]

David,

Is there any mention of a 4K restoration on the disc itself or during playback?

Yes it's the 4K performed by Universal ca. 2016.

 

[david hare]

Some screens. The image looks worse in screeencaps than in motion.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The Amazon link still hasn't gone active yet for the November 19th release date.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Some screens. The image looks worse in screeencaps than in motion.

Very nice, Thanks. I'll bite.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Mine arrived Saturday in “The World Is Yours” limited edition. For some reason I thought it has 2 versions of the 1932 in the set. I will be watching tonight- great film.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Mine arrived Saturday in “The World Is Yours” limited edition. For some reason I thought it has 2 versions of the 1932 in the set. I will be watching tonight- great film.

It does have two versions of the 1932 film, according to two reviews I've seen.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

It does have two versions of the 1932 film, according to two reviews I've seen.

Yes and an additional alternate ending?

 

[david hare]

Alternate ending plus longer version.

 

[Traveling Matt]

Amazon U.S. linked above lists this as "Universal MOD." Does that mean BD-R or does Universal press their BDs like Warner Archive?