Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Batman (1989)
Batman
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 74 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
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.

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   98,605 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 12% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tim Burton
Writers (WGA):
Bob Kane (Batman characters)
Sam Hamm (story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Batman on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 June 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Action | Crime | Thriller 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
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 16 nominations more
User Comments:
Good attempt to translate the comics to the big screen more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During filming, a young Tim Burton was having trouble shooting a scene with Jack Palance. An irritated Palance asked Burton, "I've made more than a hundred films, how many have you made?" Burton said, years later, that it was a "whiteout" experience he would never forget. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: During the final confrontation with The Joker in the bell tower Batman says "you killed my parents, you say I made you, you made first", then Joker says "I was just a kid when I killed your parents". There is some argument as to how The Joker could respond in that way, given that he doesn't know that Batman is Bruce Wayne. 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
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Mallrats (1995) more
Soundtrack:
There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight more

FAQ

What process occured between Bruce witnessing his parents' murder and the events of this movie?
Why did the Joker not return in other Batman movies?
What are differences between the comic books' canon and this film?
more
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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Batman (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What is there such a divide between the Nolan fans and the Burton fans? v_goggo
Burton's Remark on Batman '89 Nicky-Tembo
Top 5 Things You Like Better About 'Batman '89' Than 'The Dark Knight' bjjones909
Batman vuelve galcrackmediatico
Anyone has recollections? visualflare89
My Favorite Batman Movie Screencritic
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
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:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.