The World Is Yours - by Glenn Kenny (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An unflinching confrontation of humanity's dark side, Brian De Palma's crime drama film Scarface gave rise to a cultural revolution upon its release in 1983. Its impact was unprecedented, making globe-spanning waves as a defining portrait of the gritty Miami street life. From Al Pacino's masterful characterization of Tony Montana to the iconic Say hello to my little friend, Scarface maintains its reputation as an unwavering game changer in cult classic cinema. With brand-new interviews and untold stories of the film's production, longtime film critic Glenn Kenny takes us on an unparalleled journey through the making of American depictions of crime. The World Is Yours highlights the influential characters and themes within Scarface, reflecting on how its storied legacy played such a major role in American culture." --

Book Synopsis

The behind-the-scenes story of the iconic film, featuring new interviews with the cast and crew.

An unflinching confrontation of humanity's dark side, Brian De Palma's crime drama film Scarface gave rise to a cultural revolution upon its release in 1983. Its impact was unprecedented, making globe-spanning waves as a defining portrait of the gritty Miami street life. From Al Pacino's masterful characterization of Tony Montana to the iconic "Say hello to my little friend," Scarface maintains its reputation as an unwavering game changer in cult classic cinema.

With brand-new interviews and untold stories of the film's production, longtime film critic Glenn Kenny takes us on an unparalleled journey through the making of American depictions of crime. The World Is Yours highlights the influential characters and themes within Scarface, reflecting on how its storied legacy played such a major role in American culture.

Review Quotes

"The genesis, creation and afterlife of 'Scarface' make for a fascinating, surprisingly complex tale, engagingly told...Kenny's book comes off as authoritative, the final word on the subject." -Washington Post

"Comprehensive, energetically written... Scarface fans should be sure to read this absolutely necessary book, and so should readers who enjoy a good book about moviemaking, even if they haven't seen this particular film." -Booklist

"Readers will be spellbound." -Publishers Weekly


"Glenn Kenny is not merely a tremendously skilled writer, he is, more importantly, an interesting one... The wild, weird world of film and filmmaking is where and what he lives and breathes." --Todd Hanson, The Onion, Aqua Teen Hunger Force

"This meticulous examination of Scarface is a wildly enjoyable ride... Kenny patiently outlines every moviemaking piece and shows how it fits in the bloody, brilliant Scarface puzzle." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[A] thoughtful study of Scarface's lasting impact on American culture... Fans of the film and moviemaking students will discover a new appreciation for the process of bringing Scarface to life (and death)."--Library Journal