Scarface
Al Pacino is responsible for for two of the most iconic gangsters in cinema story . His career has seen deal of high gear and lows ( mostly highschool ) and plenty of characters , but none stand up out so well as Michael Corleone and Tony Montana . One is the loath new man that is put in charge of a criminal imperium when his father dies , and the other is an outspoken Cuban immigrant who build a cocain empire .
It would be impossible to putThe Godfatherup againstScarface , but a battle between their lead men almost seems inevitable . There are a few element to consider , though , when determine a winner .
Intelligence: Michael Corleone
Having attended college and successfully taken over a vicious imperium at a young historic period , Michael Corleone bring home the bacon in this family . Despite harassment from his brothers , Michael never wanted a life of crime . He went to college , fought in the war , and then returned to college . After the untimely death of his Church Father , Vito Corleone , Michael quickly took over and confidently began run a massive , already established criminal conglomerate . Tony Montana also ran a sizable arrangement , but he built it himself and was capable to learn along the manner . Michael was thrown in headfirst and had to adapt right off the bat .
Brutality: Tony Montana
The ability to kill indiscriminately is jolly of import in a living of offence , and Tony Montana surely comes out on top here . He drink down friends , strangers , bosses , and henchmen , without blinking an centre . Michael ’s work force were by no means fresh , but he had more of a conscience and typically had others do his kill for him . Michael might ’ve had his escort quietly suffocate a traitor , but Tony would murder his friend for dating his sister or pip a guy in the street in all-encompassing daylight .
Style: Tony Montana
The in force gangster are the ones that fit out the part and Tony ’s swagger was undeniable . Between the white suits , satin shirts , designer sunglass , and floral mark , Tony Montana was like Don Johnson on a cocaine - fueled runway . Michael ’s fresh , three - piece suit were admirable , and he even throw in an ascot every once in a while , but there ’s no incertitude that Tony wins here . Even his demise saw him light into a epicurean fount as he bled through his air hole square , whereas Michael just quietly slumped over in his hot seat .
Partners: Michael Corleone
Tony ’s circle was fairly loose and belittled when compared to Michael ’s connection . The Corleone family had friends all over the universe , and they were some of the most loyal people to take the air the Earth . Tony had a few protagonist and employee , but things quickly crumbled for him as his genial body politic deteriorate . Michael , on the other handwriting , had a inclination of bodyguards , lawyers , and jurisprudence enforcement officials that he could count on at all times . Despite some issues with double-crosser , Michael sure as shooting wins this one .
Money: Tony Montana
This one is a bit more difficult to judge since finance tend to take a back tail end when it come to cinematic storytelling . Plus , The Godfatherand its sequels never really mention the Corleone Family ’s net worth . InThe Godfather Part III , Michael made some generous contribution to the Vatican and owned a goodly share of Immobiliare farm animal , totaling almost $ 1 billion , which intend his last worth must have been at least $ 1 - 2 billion . Tony Montana , on the other hand , was deplumate in $ 10-$15 million per calendar month at his peak .
Considering the fact that Michael had several decades to accumulate his riches , if Tony was give that much prison term while making that much per month , his wealth would most belike surpass that of Michael ’s , making Tony the succeeder here .
Political Power: Michael Corleone
This one can easily be give to Michael . Tony had a couple of pocket-size connections , but most of them were corporate trust and Cuban mafia - related . Michael , however , was in the pockets of multiple sinewy people across the worldly concern . He was friends with several senators , met with the president of Cuba , had money in the Vatican , and conducted batch with the Pope . Tony may have been able-bodied to schmooze or shoot his way out of trouble , but Michael could ensure that trouble never even reached him .
Patience: Michael Corleone
A true mafioso knows that there is the right time to strike and a wrong clock time . Being able to find that staring moment is a attainment that only a few gangster have , and Michael was one of them . While Tony would fly off the hold and pour down his friend after regain him with his sister , Michael would wait tomake his move . He was give away by his brother , and he did n’t take retaliation until years later after their mother had passed away . Even then , his move was calculated , careful , and clean .
Charisma: Tony Montana
Michael ’s father , Vito Corleone , had a very potent and modestly charismatic nimbus about him . Michael inherited the modesty , but not so much the charisma . He tended to be the strong silent type , giving stiff order from behind closed doors . Tony , on the other paw , screamed charisma . He smoothed over drug muckle , seduce his boss ’s married woman , gave inspirational speeches in the backs of convertibles , and precede mercenaries to his " small friend " before blowing them up . Even coke out of his mind and plump for into a street corner , he confidently severalize his foeman to give him their best shot .
Family: Michael Corleone
When it comes to being a mobster , family line is pretty important . They are the ride - or - die citizenry . Business partners and employee can come and go , but family sticks around no matter what . Tony had his broadly supportive sister and a female parent who was ashamed of him . Michael , though , had his parents , Vito and Carmela , his buddy , Sonny and Fredo , and his babe , Connie . On top of that , he had Tom Hagen , who acted as the mob ’s lawyer , right - hand man , and was largely consider to be a penis of the family , his wife , Kay , and his Kid .
Of naturally , this list dwindles as the trilogy build up , but Michael still comes out on top as the victor here .
Overall: Michael Corleone
It ’s a nigh fight . If Michael Corleone and Tony Montana were interlace in a room together , Tony might have a fortune . He could make a move without even think about it and would belike be numb to any counter - attack . In a typical , big scurf family battle , however , Michael would always come out victorious . He was the brain of the biggest crime kinsfolk in history , with globose magnate . He made a hundred - million - dollar mark commercial enterprise deal , operated for decades , and knew exactly what to do and when to do it . He had the reason , resources , power , connectedness , and support to make moderately much anybody disappear , even the legendary Tony Montana .
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