The Sunglasses of Scarface (1983)

Scarface Sunglasses: A Look Back at the Shades that Defined a Generation

The 1983 Critically acclaimed film ‘’Scarface’’ (1983) is one of the most beloved gangster films of the past half a century. Starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a wanna-be drug lord, the movie follows him as he ascends and builds his criminal empire.  With over-the-top violence, stylized visuals, and a star-studded cast, the movie remains popular to this day almost 40 years later.

One of the most iconic scenes from the film takes place in the final moments of the film and is often cited as one of the best action sequences in movie history. Tony Montanas is confronted by a group of hitmen sent to kill him in his own home. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Tony manages to turn the tables on his attackers by using a variety of weapons, including an M16 assault rifle. In the climactic moment of the scene, Tony utters the iconic line “Say hello to my little friends,” as he sprays the room with bullets, killing all of his attackers.

This article is going to go into detail regarding the pair(s) of sunglasses worn by Al Pacino in Scarface. Look into the different brands and discover whether these glasses are still available to purchase today. Let’s just straight in!

The Importance of Tony Montana’s Sunglasses

Al Pacino’s sunglasses play an important role in establishing his personality and character in the film. They are worn throughout the film to convey his confidence and swagger, as well as to symbolize his success, wealth, and power. The sunglasses also represent his desire to project a carefully crafted image of himself to the outside world while concealing his true self. This is shown throughout as his style continually changes as he rises to power and his choice, of clothes, and sunglasses, reflect this.

Scarface Sunglasses: Brands and Model of the Sunglasses

During the film Scarface, Al Pacino’s character Tony can actually be seen sporting two different pairs of glasses. The first is seen in the scene where Tony & Manny (played by Steven Bauer) are hitting on women at the beach (see video clip above) These glasses are actually a pair of Linda Farrow 6031. They are a distinctive pair, again with an 80s asthetic, These sunglasses seem to be exceptionally rare. At present, the Vintage sunglasses shop is selling a pair for a staggering $26,250. The closest sunglasses we can find from Linda Farrow that look similar to the 6031s is their Newman Aviators.

The second pair of glasses are worn during the scene when Tony meets with Elvira (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) by the poolside. Tony is telling Elvira that With the right woman, there’s no stopping me. I could go right to the top. He is expressing his love and gratitude towards her and how much she motivates him to achieve greater success in his criminal activities. The sunglasses in this scene are the Carrera Porsche Design 5622. These glasses are iconic for their folding design. One of the first of its kind on the market at this time.

The Carrera Porsche Design 5622 sunglasses are luxury, sport-inspired sunglasses designed by Porsche Design, manufactured by Carrera. They feature a sleek, minimalist design with a lightweight, semi-rimless frame, and a distinctive Porsche Design logo on the side. The lenses are usually made of polycarbonate, providing 100% UV protection. They are available in different colors and lens tints including tan, and gray.

The most distinctive and unusual feature of the Carrera 5622 Sunglasses is their folding design. These glasses were actually a low-production variation of a ‘none’ foldable pair of Sunglasses available in the early to mid-80s. Due to the small number of these glasses that were produced, original and authentic pairs now sell for anywhere from $500.00+ (depending on quality).

Who is Carrera Eyewear?

Carrera is a brand of eyewear that was founded in 1956 by Wilhelm Anger in Austria. The brand started off as a manufacturer of sports sunglasses, primarily for use in skiing and other outdoor activities. Over the years, Carrera has expanded its product line to include a wide range of eyewear, including prescription glasses and fashion sunglasses. In the 1970s and 1980s, Carrera sunglasses became particularly popular among celebrities and trendsetters, and the brand gained a reputation for being stylish and high-quality. Today, Carrera is a well-established and respected brand in the eyewear industry, known for its innovative designs and high-quality materials.

Today, Carrera is still producing a wide variety of eyewear keeping to its distinct style. Although they no longer produce the Foldable Porsche Design 5622, you can purchase sunglasses that still retain the style of glasses from the film. Such examples include:

• VALLON – Howlin: (£105.00)
• Ray-Ban Bill: (£137.00)
• Carrera Champion 65: (£79.00)

Linda Farrow Eyewear?

The LINDA FARROW brand of luxury eyewear, established in 1970, quickly gained acclaim. Linda, a fashion designer herself, was one of the first to treat sunglasses as a fashion accessory, always staying on trend. Through her experimentation, she pioneered many styles still popular today. Her unique use of shape helped elevate eyewear to high-fashion status, with celebrities like Yoko Ono wearing her designs. Linda also collaborated with notable brands like Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Sonia Rykiel. After a 20-year hiatus, the brand was revived in 2003 by Linda’s son Simon, after he found a large archive of vintage sunglasses in a family warehouse in London.

Because of the 20 years in which Linda Farrow ceased to exist, there’s a remarkable difference between vintage frames and those of the new relaunch in 2003. Vintage frames were not the best quality, yet still are sort after due to their scarcity and popularity at the time. As with the previous pair of glasses, any vintage glasses can be expensive to purchase. Below are some alternative sunglasses, in a similar style to the Carrera Porsche Design 5622, for you to consider:

• Newman Aviators: (£760.00)
• Carrera 1007/S: (£61.71)

Scarface Sunglasses: Alternatives & Recommendations

Many of the shades mentioned in this article are either discontinued or currently sell for crazy prices on the second-hand market. Because of this, we wanted to write a section on some affordable alternatives that have the same fit and feel as those worn in the film. Below are just a few of these recommendations all at amazing prices.

Freckles Mark: These are some chunky frames and with the vintage array of colorways they’re available in I think they’re the perfect look for that 70s-inspired feel. Not only this, but they also come with UV Protection and a composite frame for that added durability. These come in at the low price tag of $19.98. 

Feisedy Retro: Probably the most out-there choice among all the recommendations here. These are definitely vintage-inspired but include a clear/brown acetate frame with razor-thin arms in a complementing accent colorway. They still retain that oversized aviator look and have a fantastic feel on the face. These are the cheapest here coming in at just $16.99.

Vanlinker Oversized Aviators: These are the closest I could find to the aforementioned Linda Farrow. They incorporate both the flat top, black tinted lenses, and the signature white accent that flows from the top of the frames across. These are perfect for a Scarface look and feel and come in at just $19.99.