IMDb > Batman (1989)
Batman
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Batman (1989) -- The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker.
Batman (1989) -- Here's a clip from the movie Batman.
Batman (1989) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   103,126 votes
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Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Bob Kane (Batman characters)
Sam Hamm (story)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Batman on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 June 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being the clownishly homicidal Joker. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 16 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(397 articles)
User Comments:
Good attempt to translate the comics to the big screen more (642 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
126 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Paul Birchard, who has a minor role in this movie, would also have a tiny role in The Dark Knight (2008). more
Goofs:
Continuity: Bruce Wayne pauses the video with Joker's eyes closed, but the next time we see the paused scene, his eyes are open. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Passenger: Excuse me.
Tourist Dad: I'm sorry, this is my cab.
Passenger: Sorry.
Tourist Dad: Listen, I was here first!
[as the cab drives away]
Tourist Dad: Oh, God! Oh, taxi? Taxi!
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Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight more

FAQ

Why did Bruce Wayne choose to immortalize himself as a giant bat?
Why did the Joker not return in other Batman movies?
What's the name of the flight vehicle that Batman flies in?
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35 out of 49 people found the following comment useful.
Good attempt to translate the comics to the big screen, 28 January 2002
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

In a Gotham City overrun by crime a new menace exists. In the shadows and rooftops a giant bat is terrorising the criminals who live in the night. Elsewhere crime boss Grissom's right hand man Jack Napier is trapped in a chemical factory by police. With Batman's intervention Napier is accidentally dropped into a vat of chemical. Considered dead he later turns up, scarred and twisted with a new sense of humour. Calling himself the Joker he takes over the city's gangs and begins to terrorise the city. Millionaire Bruce Wayne begins relationship with reporter Vicky Vale and finds himself personally drawn into conflict with the Joker as both himself and his alter-ego.

This was very much a huge blockbuster and had a great deal riding on it in terms of merchandising and a possible franchise. As such Burton always seemed like a risk - although his dark toned work and complex characters probably made him a great choice. The film starts promisingly, many questions are asked - is Wayne totally balanced? What drives him to become the bat? etc - and the tone of the movie is darker than a friendly blockbuster. This is continued by the investigation by reporters Vale and Knox, but starts to wane (pardon the pun) with the development of Vale as a love interest and the hamming of The Joker. At some point the film loses the character complexities and decides to become a straight up good v's evil with plenty of effects and gadgets. That said it's still very dark and the set pieces are well handled. In fact it's the best of the Batman franchise so far.

The problem is that it lacks a bite for Batman fans. I've always felt that Batman was always a few steps away from the criminals he's chasing, surely he can't be totally balanced and right in the head? Here these questions are half touched but never developed.

Keaton is an unlikely Batman, but is the best so far. He deals well with Wayne's past when it is brought up, but is an unlikely action hero. Nicholson is pure ham, but is good for it. He hogs all the best lines and is clearly enjoying himself - the only downside being that he regularly eclipses Keaton's Batman. Basinger's Vale is built up far too much and should have been cut out of the story rather than become a key part of it. The rest of the cast are good and I always like to see Tracey Walters in a big screen film!

Overall this is a good stab at the Batman legend. It's dark tone gives it the feel of the comics without the characterisation, but at the end of the day it comes down to good guy v's bad guy.

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What is there such a divide between the Nolan fans and the Burton fans? v_goggo
theory about TDK/Bat 89 rainbowbrite93
Soundtrack - opinions! tee_dot_jay
Why villian and not a hero bojan-bobinac
Memorabilia from the film. Who remembers the board game? matwsussx
The Bag'O'Laughs cackle roximunro
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