Key Takeaways:
– Despite its lackluster initial performance in 1983, Scarface won fame over time, particularly in the rap community.
– About 20 years post-release, Universal Pictures and Def Jam Records planned to replace the film’s original score with hip-hop music.
– Lead star Al Pacino and producer Martin Bergman were open to the idea, but director Brian De Palma vehemently opposed it.
– Due to De Palma’s persistent opposition, the film’s original score remains unchanged, idolizing the essence of Miami in the early ’80s.
The Original Scarface Score Escape Hip-Hop Overhaul
If you’re a fan of Brian De Palma’s Scarface, you might know how the film began its journey. Not notably successful at the time of its release in 1983, it managed to become an unrecognized classic over the years. One significant factor in its rise was its elevated status among rap artists – many of whom regularly sample the movie‘s iconic soundtrack and lines in their songs.
About two decades after the movie premiered, Universal Pictures and Def Jam Records conceived an idea to remodel Scarface’s soundtrack. Instead of Giorgio Moroder’s vintage score that perfectly reflected the vibe of Miami in the early ’80s, they planned a hip-hop score. Interestingly, Al Pacino, the lead star, and producer Martin Bergman were not against this idea.
The Impassable Wall: Brian De Palma
However, Brian De Palma, the film’s director, wouldn’t have it. In Glenn Kenny’s new book – “The World is Yours: The Story of Scarface,” De Palma revealed his strong resistance against the notion of altering a film’s soundtrack, likening such a move to a form of vandalism.
In his firm stand, De Palma stated, “No one changes the scores on movies by Marty Scorsese, John Ford, David Lean. If this is the ‘masterpiece’ you say, leave it alone. I fought them tooth and nail and was the odd man out; I have final cut, so that stopped them dead.”
Though Def Jam succeeded in releasing a compilation album filled with hip-hop tracks inspired by the film, the original movie stayed intact.
Challenges and Tenacity
In a past interview, De Palma expressed how Universal Pictures “continually” wanted to alter the soundtrack, admitting that the production house was “very unhappy” with his decision. Their disappointment was rooted in the potential money-making opportunity, which De Palma thwarted with his conviction, saying, “That score’s not being changed.”
Many applaud De Palma’s determination to maintain the authenticity of the original film score. After all, the movie is a reflection of the early 1980s Miami – and a contemporary hip-hop score might not fit the ambiance as commendably as Moroder’s music does. Today, the question lingers; would any other director have demonstrated the same steadfast dedication to preserving the original soundtrack? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
The story of Scarface’s soundtrack is a unique reflection of the controversies and debates that often surround artistic projects. As much as change and evolution can be an integral part of the film industry, the value of preserving originality cannot be discounted. De Palma’s stance is a testament to this, leaving us with the Scarface we know and love.
