Some might think that releasing older films onto the high-def spec is just another way of getting film lovers to dip ever deeper into their pockets. And to a certain extent that is true. But some films deserve to be re-visited, and what better way than in 4K UHD. Scarface is one such film.

Brian De Palma had already had a chance to cut his directing teeth on the likes of Carrie, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out, before he teamed up with Al Pacino in the early eighties. The result was to be one of the seminal films of the decade.

Having arrived fresh off the boat from Cuba, a young and eager Tony Montana (Pacino) is keen to make a name for himself in colourful Miami, any which way.

Opportunities soon start knocking, all on doors with criminal activities on the other side. Tony doesn't hesitate however, when it comes to getting his hands dirty with drugs and murder.

A wealthy drug dealer Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) takes Tony and his best bud Manny (Steven Bauer) under his wing, and allows the pair to prove themselves within his organisation. With his first step on the ladder, Tony soon shows that he's prepared to go all the way to the top. But as anyone with a head for heights knows, the higher you get, the further you can fall.

Everything about this film is excess. To begin with, it's difficult to ignore the near three hour duration; De Palma was clearly self indulgent with the film's length, as it could easily have been trimmed to at least two and half hours long without losing anything. But despite its lengthy time, the film flows with real pace from start to finish.

Another aspect of it that is excessive is the now infamous profanity. Tony Montana makes Gordon Ramsey sound like a man of the cloth. But as one of the extras on the Blu-ray proves, if you take all the bad language out, as some brave soul did for the TV version, you have a completely different film altogether.

And then there's the location itself; Miami is gloriously awash with colour, making it both vibrant and garish. Yes it's a little over the top, but it makes for such an entertaining back drop that you wouldn't want it any other way.

Finally there's Pacino's performance. It's the kind of role where subtly gets thrown out of the window fairly early on, and Pacino just ramps up his character more and more. It may not be pretty, but it's one hell of a tour de force. Pacino had already two Godfather's under his acting belt, and it was perhaps the experience he gained from them that he pours everything that he's got into Montana. In a way it's a shame that the film is often remembered for just the one line where Montana is keen to introduce his diminutive 'friend' to a group of passers-by, because so much energy has gone into both the film and his performance for the entire film up until this famous scene.

But it's not just Pacino who should get all the plaudits; not only does De Palma direct with an almost arrogant flair, the likes of which is so seldom seen these days, but it has a script by Oliver Stone that just delivers a gripping story from beginning to end. Even composer Giorgio Moroder deserves a nod for his completely over-the-top soundtrack; his electro beats don't necessary fit in that well with the rest of the film, but they are certainly memorable.

This Gold edition, released to tie-in with the film's 35th anniversary, features the kind of extras that you would expect, including a previously unseen conversation with cast members and director, discussing their memories of working on the film.

it helps that the film itself looks absolutely stunning, and has scrubbed up nicely for the ultra-high definition format.

The only bad news is, is that serious cinephiles will most certainly have to open up their wallets to be re-acquainted with this old friend. But as Tony would probably agree, it's a price worth paying.