IMDb >
Batman (1989)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBatman (1989) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 68 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Release Date:
23 June 1989 (USA)
more
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
Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 7 wins
&
16 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(397 articles)
Toy Story 3 Official Movie Trailer 3
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 12:46 AM, PST)
Diablo, Zombieland at Italy's Noir in Festival (and I Can't Figure out Why)
(From Icons of Fright. 25 November 2009, 9:57 AM, PST)
(From ShockYa. 28 November 2009, 12:46 AM, PST)
Diablo, Zombieland at Italy's Noir in Festival (and I Can't Figure out Why)
(From Icons of Fright. 25 November 2009, 9:57 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Good attempt to translate the comics to the big screen
more (642 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Michael Keaton | ... | Batman / Bruce Wayne |
 | Jack Nicholson | ... | Joker / Jack Napier |
 | Kim Basinger | ... | Vicki Vale |
 | Robert Wuhl | ... | Alexander Knox |
| Pat Hingle | ... | Commissioner James Gordon |
 | Billy Dee Williams | ... | Harvey Dent |
| Michael Gough | ... | Alfred Pennyworth |
 | Jack Palance | ... | Carl Grissom |
| Jerry Hall | ... | Alicia |
 | Tracey Walter | ... | Bob the Goon |
| Lee Wallace | ... | The Mayor |
 | William Hootkins | ... | Lt. Eckhardt |
 | Richard Strange | ... | Goon |
| Carl Chase | ... | Goon |
| Mac McDonald | ... | Goon (as Mac Macdonald) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
126 min
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Mexico:A |
Malaysia:U |
South Africa:PG (DVD rating) |
Spain:13 |
Netherlands:12 |
Netherlands:6 (re-rating) |
South Korea:15 |
USA:TV-14 |
Brazil:Livre |
Germany:12 |
West Germany:12 (f) |
UK:15 (video rating) (1990) |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:PG |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-14 |
France:U |
Israel:PG |
Norway:15 |
Peru:14 |
Singapore:PG |
Sweden:15 |
UK:12 (original rating) |
USA:PG-13 |
Iceland:12 (video rating) |
Iceland:12 |
Iceland:10 (original rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
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!
more
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!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Leverage: The Lost Heir Job (#2.9)" (2009)
more
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?
more
more (642 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Batman (1989) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Dark Knight | Batman Begins | Batman Returns | Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Batman Forever |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
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.