How Silver Screen Changed Dark Knight

Times looks at how Batman has evolved from first flick in 1940s
By Green Point,  Newser User
Posted Jul 15, 2008 5:31 PM CDT
How Silver Screen Changed Dark Knight
In this image released by Warner Bros., Heath Ledger starring as The Joker, is shown in a scene with Christian Bale, starring as Batman in "The Dark Knight."    (AP Photo)

With The Dark Knight set to open in the US at midnight Thursday, Batman will see another reinvention in the series of makeovers that accompanied the character to the silver screen beginning in 1943. The Times of London takes a look:

  • Low-budget Batman (1943) and Batman and Robin (1949) lacked flair and special effects.
  • Tim Burton's Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) came complete with supervillains such as the Joker and Catwoman.

  • Looking to attract younger audiences, Batman Forever (1995) and Batman and Robin (1997) used a more colorful and campy approach, using villains such as the Riddler (Jim Carrey), and reintroducing sidekick Robin.
  • Batman Begins (2005) shows how the man came to be, evolving from childhood hatred of crime and love of bats.
  • And now, The Dark Knight (2008), with emphasis on the dark, featuring Heath Ledger as a psychopathic Joker.
(More lists stories.)

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