This film about the Chicago gangster era during Prohibition was made in 1931 and thus better reflects the times than any modern remake.  It shows the various gang wars for control of Chicago's bootleg trade and the role of Italian and Irish immigrants as well as their descendants.

The street and car scenes do a good job of showing how things looked back then.  The characters also are probably more realistic depictions of what people were like back then.  It seems that all the gangsters liked to dress in suits to impress.  Their favorite gun was the famous "Tommy Gun" and the police had them too.

While the characters are mostly grim, the lead character of Scarface (modeled after Al Capone) has a somewhat comic element.  His male "secretary" would be at home in any Three Stooges movie.  The lead detective has a thick Irish brogue and adds another comic element.  These elements are exceptions to an otherwise violent story.
This film about the Chicago gangster era during Prohibition was made in 1931 and thus better reflects the times than any modern remake. It shows the various gang wars for control of Chicago's bootleg trade and the role of Italian and Irish immigrants as well as their descendants. The street and car scenes do a good job of showing how things looked back then. The characters also are probably more realistic depictions of what people were like back then. It seems that all the gangsters liked to dress in suits to impress. Their favorite gun was the famous "Tommy Gun" and the police had them too. While the characters are mostly grim, the lead character of Scarface (modeled after Al Capone) has a somewhat comic element. His male "secretary" would be at home in any Three Stooges movie. The lead detective has a thick Irish brogue and adds another comic element. These elements are exceptions to an otherwise violent story.