Great Scene: “Scarface”

October is Great Scene month at Go Into The Story whereby we put a spotlight on notable movie scenes, then analyze and discuss them. Their structure, themes, character dynamics. Why do they work? What are their narrative elements that elevate them to greatness? Let’s face it: In a fundamental way, screenwriting is scene-writing, so the more we learn about this aspect of the craft, the better.

Today’s suggestion is by Dino Sijamic: The 1983 movie Scarface, screenplay by Oliver Stone. IMDB plot summary:

In 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel while succumbing to greed.

After a face-plant into a mountain of cocaine, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) sees an army of his rival gang assaulting his compound.

The movie version of the scene:

Grenade launcher. ‘Nuff said.

To read all of the entries in the Great Scene archive, go here.

If you have an idea for this Great Scene series, check out the responses people have made so far here.

If you have a different scene in mind you think would be worthy of analysis, please post it there or in comments for this post. Thanks!