Batman: The History and Evolution of the Bat on Film (1943-2012)
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- čas přidán 4. 09. 2024
- In 2012, Christopher Nolan concluded his Dark Knight Trilogy. We then had Batman v Superman rake in the dough and spark controversy from true Bat fans. Even Suicide Squad, one of the last appearances of Batman in the recent DCEU split audiences.
But now, with Justice League in theatres, and the Snyder Cut of Justice League available at home, let's take a look at how the Batman has evolved over his 75 year history.
From the 1940's serials, all the way to The Dark Knight Rises, this is a special look at the evolution of Batman on the silver screen.
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#HistoryofBatman #TheBatman #BatmanMovies #ReelSchool #ChristopherNolan #ZackSnyder #ZachSnyder #Batman #Batfleck #ChristianBale #AdamWest #GeorgeClooney #MichaelKeaton #ValKilmer
My favourite one is The Dark Knight Rises, but I have a ton of respect for the others. Schumacher, not so much, but Burton, definitely.
Batman returns is one of the best batman films...
I agree
More like one of the best Superhero films of all time.
I agree as well.
+KyleRayner3GR i agree
yes. batman returns is probably my favorite batman movie
Couldn't agree more with this guy. Michael Keaton was the best Batman.
I like Christian Bale better from the Nolan trilogy
yeah michael keaton was the best batman
I agree with this Batman Returns is a great looking movie
Batman Returns is one of my favorite.. Catwoman & Penguin concept are badass
You forgot "Mask of the Phantasm". In my opinion, it is the definitive presentation of the character.
greenmonsterprod Didn't forget - just omitted. I only did the live action films. (otherwise it would be a REALLY long video). But any Bruce Timm work with DC animation is amazing (perhaps a special episode all on it's own).
Agreed. Thanks for the response!
Kevin conroy....best batman voice ever
Mark hamill......best joker voice ever
That is all
Sometimes when I watch batman returns I can't let someone watch with them because that scene where penguin bit the guys nose off
really great video! i enjoyed it a lot :) most people skip over the 1940's batman, and it deserves recognition! you did a great job on this!
That was good.
ccg1171 Thanks for watching!
I'm kinda hoping the next trilogy has Batman primarily as a detective
I find it funny how Bale threatened to walk if Robin was put into his Batman Universe consider he auditioned to be Robin for Batman Forever. Anyway, GREAT video!
I think in our post-Avengers decade we've reached a point where people are more accepting of truly comicbooky stories and characters without having to make it campy. So the next progression for the character is to turn away from hyperrealism into taking fantasy more seriously bringing back characters like Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Clayface, or even a bleached face flamboyant Joker.
Great comment! Amazing observation, although the only part I disagree with is grouping the Riddler with the other villains. The Riddler could be done VERY realistically, and doesn't need a superfluous treatment.
ReelSchool Thank you. You really perked my curiosity into what the next progression for Batman could be. Wanted to put a bit more thought into it than simply what specific story I want told and I'm one of the firm believers in that the Avengers (no matter what your personal opinion of the movie itself may be) completely changed the game when it comes what filmmakers can do with comic book movies from here on out. And yeah now that you mention it, you are right about the Riddler but regardless my point still stands that now I feel we can use ALL these characters to their full potential.
ReelSchool I think Mr. Freeze could be done realistically. It would take the right director and actor to pull it off just right, though. I can't imagine Clayface being put into reality though.
" What's the difference between you and me?!" "I'm not wearing hockey pants." LOL :)
I revisit this video every few years for the time capsule appeal. Its surprising how much the cinematic landscape has changed in that time - we've had two new Batman actors since, and EVEN the return of previous actors. It's such a fascinating contrast honestly, if only we knew what would happen in following years with superhero media.
Controversial take perhaps, I think the Schumacher era films have aged surprisingly well - I for one quite enjoy a variety of takes on Batman. I love serious, I love grounded, but I also love camp, and sillier, goofier takes. I don't think either of those films are bad, merely not what audiences wanted at the time of their release. I find them vaguely refreshing in today's era, ESPECIALLY with the advent of something like The Flash feeling far more insincere in it's delivery. Whereas the Schumacher films are UNDENIABLY Schumacher's films - they're not serious, but they're fun.
Anyways yeah! I enjoy this video quite a lot.
Michael Keaton as Batman < Christian Bale as Batman < Kevin Conroy as Batman
Jack Nicholson as Joker < Heath Ledger as Joker < Mark Hamill as Joker
Chris Rodriguez he's still the best
People wonder why B&R had Schwarzenegger as Mr./Dr. Freeze. Two words; The Suit. Joel's vision for the villain's suit was meant to be believable. Down side was that the suit was so heavy that Arnold Schwarzenegger was the only one who had the strength to wear it. This is why you don't let studios make ALL the calls.
+Joe Saunders I'm glad. Arnold is the best Mr. Freeze!
superitgel1 Sorry, but Arnold is not a very good dialogue actor. Great action, but not really for classical acting. My question is how did the writer get away with that many cold and ice puns?
+Joe Saunders i guess the actor who would be able to fit himself as mr. freeze would also be a good martian manhunter!
Your videos are great and you deserve more subscribers.
+Sebastian Fitzpatrick Thanks Sebastian I appreciate that. All I can say is, tell your friends! Spread the word about Reel School!
Batman Returns is my favourite Batman film. It's a dark and gloomy masterpiece.
100%
Another awesome video!
Batman Returns is the best. What an awesome movie. It's dark, poetic and bittersweet.
Batman Forever is by no means the 'debacle' that this video makes it out to be. It's a solid follow-up to both Batman and Batman Returns, maintaining the gothic noir/macabre undertones of those films while simultaneously lightening things up from the controversial darkness that permeates Batman Returns and that turned off some portions of the audience.
It also serves as the perfect 'cap' to Bruce's character journey as depicted in both Batman and Batman Returns, providing an in-depth analysis of and explanation for his behavior in those two films, with Val Kilmer stepping into Michael Keaton's shoes incredibly well.
Jim Carrey's Edward Nygma/Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones' Harvey Dent/Two-Face also fit very much into the same vein as Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier/The Joker, Danny DeVito's Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, and Michelle Pfeifer's Selina Kyle/Catwoman, with their over-the-top antics actually making them rather formidable adversaries.
I think he was just referring to Schumacher as the debacle, but I still disagree with you. I would not call Batman Forever Noir or Macabre. That was the beginning of the end of that tone. That goes for the villains too… Two-Face and Riddler were WAY more over the top than the first three antagonists. And to compare them to Nicholson's Joker… c'mon… really?
Blunova I dunno. You're not being a troll about this, so I appreciate your argument. But I just don't see it. Sure, a lot of people didn't like Returns, and Forever made more money… but I don't think people saw Burton's films, and when they saw the Vegas-decorated Forever said "That's the Batman I wanted!!".
You forgot the times of terror which has Batman in our culture right now in the Dark Knight Trilogy.
I Wish they would be able to admit that Bob Kane was a co-creator of Batman along with Bill Finger who also helped creating Batman he came up with the idea for the cowl, cape,gloves, Belt and many other things, if it was up to Bob Kane Batman would look like this this is the original Bob Kane Bat-Man design www.dialbforblog.com/archives/389/kane_arlen2.jpg so do you think that's fair i don't one thing i like that Bob Kane himself after Bill Finger passed away admitted that both of them created the Batman we all know and love together. Like one man said the past can't be buried forver the truth will always find it's way up.
A bit like the old Stan Lee/Steve Ditko debate. The writer always seems to get all the glory, but I agree with you by saying the designer is very much a co-creator and should be acknowledged the same way. I'll tell you if Bob really went with that original costume I really don't think Bats would have lasted 5 years let alone 70. So Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Batman. There you have it folks!
***** I've been looking for that picture for ages!
Aaron O'neil what Picture ?
The original Batman.
Well i'm not sure exactly how much popularity the car gained in CA in regards to the car craze at that time but i would think that the Batmobile was a very popular introduction to a great deal of car shows and different types of Hollywood events once the Batman TV show ended in 1968
I think Batman Returns is the BEST and I agree that Keaton is the definitive BATMAN
I liked the first one better but Returns had a better variation of the costume. Or at least the cowl was more form fitting.
Rocco Borghetti I have always said that, I think the costume was near perfect (although, any actor who has worn a pre-dark knight costume has said how much they can't move in those things) But you're so right, the sculpting on the cowl was great. Allowed Keaton to really express himself.
Michael Keaton is the only true Batman and Bruce Wayne
U might like him better but bale is the definitive version
i would have added mask of the phantasm. lots of great character development and it was the first batman origin story in theaters.
Burton gained insertion from the Dark Knight Returns(the first good Frank Miller Batman graphic novel)
Loved the Batman in Keaton/Jack N. The best!!!
Thanks so much! Keep an eye out for my History of Superman video coming this week!
For other long-lasting cinematic characters, I'd argue that Superman, Dracula, Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Zorro could be included in a group with Batman.
You can say whatever you like about Batman and Robin, BUT, Batman Forever really did Robin's origin well. I loved how they showed him trying, and failing, to deal with the death of his parents. I also loved how Bruce kind of felt like Batman was consuming his life as Bruce Wayne and really started to feel doubts, but then realized that he could be both personas at the end of the film. Yes, Two-Face and Riddler weren't done right, but at least in Forever we got to see a deep storyline for Bruce and Dick, unlike Returns were it was all about Penguin and Batman felt like a side character.
'Descent into Mystery" to conclude this amazing and very interesting video...Awesome !
Congratulations from a french fan of the Bat ;)
I remember watching this years ago. Now all I'm wondering is, what's your opinion on Affleck and Pattinson as batman?
I enjoyed both for VERY different reasons. I would have loved to have seen Batfleck in his own film. He felt like the only one invested in those Snyder films if I’m to be honest.
Wasn’t a massive fan of ‘The Batman’ but the characterization of Penguin, Batman and Riddler were all impeccable.
By the way dont forget about my dude Bill Finger.
Eh
I'd argue that Kevin Conroy is my idea of the definitive Batman, but tv versions of batman could take up two videos.
I'd also add that say what you will about "Batman Forever", Val Kilmer did a great job with what he was given. He was just unlucky to be cast after Tim Burton had left the franchise.
That Batman movie in the 60's was fire and I was born in 1980!! LOL
I think Clooney played Batman pretty well, in my own opinion. and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr Freeze was just hilarious LOL but he played it well!
wow! didn't realize i was watching a 4year old video. this is so good :)
tim burtons batman films are my favourite and batman returns is my favourite batman film
very well researched (as always!)
Fantastic! How have I missed this video for so long (I love your channel)
I appreciate Schumacher's films mainly for how they redesigned Gotham City, completely over-the-top mixture of gothic meets neon that otherwise might only have existed in the comics themselves. If we ever move away from this "realism" trend all the movies are on now, I want to see cities look more like that in future movies
I pledge allegiance, to the cap, hanging miserably from the lamppost.
This was a really great video! I'm also all about Keaton!
The batman forever and batman and robin is a good franchise in my openin
Whats an "openin"? And they are really bad movies.
A Pretty Cool Bloke I enjoyed them...
John dignerds They sucked ass. Evidence: 1). Click activated skates 2).Whatever the hell Schwarzenegger was supposed to be 3). Bat nipples
smh
I Sort of agree with Batman forever but Batman and Robin *what*
very good video, thanks
JB Beale Thanks for watching! I hope you also caught my History of the X-men, Spider-man and Superman on film videos too!
I wanna see Deadshot. Deathstroke, and Blackmask in the next one
Burton's Batman Returns is indeed a great film. It's hard to pigeon hole, the visuals were, in parts, beautiful to look at. A sharp script from Daniel Waters (Heathers), and memorable set pieces, made this one the best of the Burton/Schumacher reign. Another scary creation of Christopher Walken was the psychotic capitalist Max Schreck (who horror fans would know was the titular actor's name of 1922's Nosferatu). This is the black sheep of the franchise, as all the rest were utter over-budgeted crap. Batman Returns was the definite apex of that period ,for me. Nice one.
You forgot to mention Batman's Co-Creator Bill Finger.
EXACTLY, you can't have campy, then go dark and then go back to campy again. The best Batman movies are: Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight & The Dark Knight Rises. Gotta love the Elfman score though!
Batman Returns is Greatest Batman Movie with The Dark Knight and is my Favorite Batman Movie
I love Poison Ivy, Cat Woman, and Bat Girl
Coolest videos with solid homework.
Always gotta one up me, don't you Steller? ha ha. When I did this, I definitely thought of Dracula, and Zorro (although Zorro only really had 3 phases, and has disappeared again.) I'd also say Frankenstein is 'spotty'... but certainly your suggestions are iconic!
Love this series of videos!
the drak knight trylogi my fav..
brilliant vid Mike. And i totally agree that Batman Returns is a great film. And a great Burton film.
Totally agree with u! I mean, Batman is my favorite superhero ever, and I got all the movies (and a few comics), my personal favorites are the ones directed by Burton, I think that he really where THE guy for the movie. As the Nolan series...yeah, the movies are okay I guess..haha! Kidding! Fuckin legendary!
I didn't had the time lately for check your videos, so I'm catching up on them! Love Them so much!
Greetings from Mexico (sorry for my lame English writing, I'm not the best one in grammar 😩)
Batman is the greatest Character in all Comics and the greatest on screen hero in film !
I'm a huge fan of Adam west batman I mean not even 12 hours ago I got that bat symbol tattoos on me. But Keaton puts it down and of course Jack as the Joker Is one of a kind.
That was a pretty good analysis.
MegaVolcano Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out my other 'History of... on film' videos.
70 years in 2011 wow now he’s been around for 79 years
jaime rodriguez christain bale was in the nolan trilogy
I know this sounds like madness, but I'd like to see another shot at a Catwoman movie. A good one, this time, of course.
I liked the Batman Forever. Because the Tim Burton' Batman gave me nightmare's. I watched them just after graduating kindergarden. But I liked the Tim's version more when I rewatched it when I was in university.
really enjoyed this video.
Awesome! Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out my other 'History of...' videos... I'm sure you'll like them too!
Bat fans hated on Keaton when they heard he was to play Batman and now they're hating on Affleck! Give it a chance before you bash is all I'm saying.
Very well done sir!
The only characters with a longer cinematic history are Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, I think. Anyway, great overview, did not know the Batcave came from the serials, that's pretty cool that wartime propaganda gave us something so enduring.
Don't forget Superman who's first animated shorts came out in 1941.
David Lee Kersey I hope you watched my History of Superman on film tutorial as well! It touches on that! Cinematic Superman: The History of the Man of Steel on Film
ReelSchool Yep saw it right after I posted the comment, and ended up watching a bunch of your stuff. You do good work. One small critique thou, have you thought about investing in a lav mic it would help greatly with your audio inconsistency.
there will be a batman VS superman moie
It's currently called Superman vs Batman
Varunno2O it is batman vs superman
I'm looking forward to your take on Ben Affleck being the next Batman (if you haven't done so already).
good video dude
คริสเตียน เบลเป็นแบทแมนที่หล่อเย็นชา ขี้เก็กมากมาย แต่ก็ชื่นชอบตอนเล่นหนังมาก
Say what you want, but Batman Returns is my favorite Batman movie
Batman is not even a fucking superhero, he is a god damn detective with bat ears. He belong in the same category as Watchmen. But of course he is going to win in the Batman vs Superman movie because batman fans always have to have it their way.
Shut up, butt hurt superman fan.
ur dumb its not the fans decide if batmans should win. it was a cartoon and before dat it was in the comics.
Oh, come on. Yeah, it's true, he's not "super" in the biological, emotional, and racial (by that I mean species like how Sup's was Krypto-baby), but what makes him super is that his genius is so perfectly combined with his natural physical strength, and skills in stealth, added with bonuses on combat skills, gear arsenal, and his 'methods'.
And yes, I don't know if people will hate me for this or not, but he's just not a perfect hero. By the facts, I count him as an anti-hero (but I like him!! I like anti-heroes more than heroes, because it's that dark side that really throws me in the wine-pool) due to his dark methods, and a recent number of occasions whenever he interrogated someone, he would present a death threat (though they never really happen, since he doesn't really kill, THOUGH, he did slam a guy's face into a live circuit breaker, sticking a flashlight into his mouth), and the fact that his motivations were because of his parents' deaths.
But, over all, though I never really read the comics (part of a mediocre childhood growing up), though Superman was my childhood superhero, Bat's just glides over him on a landslide. His form does not depend on some given power, but what power a single human being has- the mind, the hand, the heart, and the shadows.
Shut up if he is not a hero then he is not in DC comics nub
The only good thing about the Joel Crapmaucher films was good casting of Robin. I liked Chris O'Donnell as Robin.
People hated on Michael Keaton before he became batman, then on Heath Ledger before he became the joker, people hated on Anne Hathaway before she became catwomen, and now on Ben Affleck. Damn people.
nolan's batman is really the dark knight he's the only one the got it right
Batfleck cometh!!
And now I would say Lego Batman rivals Batman return for it surreal nature of known how to make a good Batman movie
BATMAN FOREVER IS GOOOD >:(
4:31 isn't that yellow and purple
one word Batffleck!
Great Review.
1. Kevin Conroy = Christian Bale
2. Michael Keaton = Adam West
3. Kilmer
4. Clooney
This guy is my art teacher
Keaton are Legend, just like Christopher Reeve (God Bless Him, R.I.P) They were born to be Batman and Superman. Bale is phenomenal, new look, new rides, new attitudes, darker than ever. Batman And Robin was a disaster, just like you said, "they almost killed the Batman!" . And then the villains; Jack nicholson was superb, who could forget his smiles as the joker? Come on.. It was awesome!! Heath Ledger (R.I.P - God Bless Him) take the joker into a whole new level. He was a genius actor. Ledger's Joker was totally insane, scary but also funy at the same time!! "Why So Serious...son!!??" . Love this review, man! Great Job!! Respect!
Well said.
I don't know... liking Val Kilmer is like enjoying Timothy Dalton as Bond.
Now we have batfleck to lead the next generation of the dark knight
***** i hope he does perform well it feels the movie itself is getting a little over crowded tho
afleck is a great actor im not bashing him for nada im just hoping he doesnt disapoint and gives the batman character a strong performance since he willl be the future potray of him for a while
***** Has he actually gone on record saying he regretted that film (or his performance)? I had no idea...
***** I've said it before, I didn't MIND Daredevil, and I don't blame him… I like a lot of his work (Some is awful) So I personally can't wait to see what he'll do with Bruce and Batman. I'm not excited, but I'm not pessimistic either.
spykeso9 It does seem that way - yes.
I want a Batman Beyond movie!
My top 3
1.Christian Bale
2.Ben Affleck (early choice)
3.Michael Keaton
I thought Batman & Robin was ok when I was a kid, not as good as Burton's. As I got older and more familiar with Batman comics, I grew to hate B&R and found it unwatchable (Batman Forever was still ok). BUT recently, I caught B&R on TV at a hotel (after a long flight, was too tired to go out at night) and I ended up watching the whole thing and enjoyed it! I guess with the Nolan Trilogy completed, I'm now satisfied knowing that a really good Batman movie have been made. So I'm over the whole B&R hate and just learn to enjoy it for what it is. I enjoyed Arnold not as Mr. Freeze but Arnold being Arnold with his one liners. I just like to assume Uma Thurman Poison Ivy is intentionally bad to highlight how powerful her potion dust spell thing that makes people really really dumb enough to fall for her. And the Bat Credit Card? Of Course Batman has a credit card! He's Batman, he has everything! That Superman reference? Schumacher Superhero Cinematic Universe!
Tbh I prefer b&r over forever as it is actually watchable as it doesn't have awkward dialogue between a mashed together cast and doesn't completely copy and paste joker over both its villains
Did the TV show of the 60's give us the bat mobile? I saw clips from the 40's serial, and he just had a car.
well it all depends on looks when Batman first came out he had a "batmobile" but that was a car then later on it changed
Alexander Sack Yes check out "1966 Batmobile" here on youtube
Alexander Sack it seems to me that the '66 Batmobile would have been part of the big custom car craze in CA at the time.
+Alexander “Xander” Sack The comics always had the Batmobile almost from the beginning, even before the time of the serials. The serials just couldn't afford to make a custom car.
Batman forever was good it was the sequel that needed a BIG improvement
1. Christian Bale, Kevin Conroy, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, other animated bats
2. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer(hear me out, had potential, but script and suit sucked)
4. Adam west
5. George Clooney
but it's my opinion
Enjoyed cheers
Batman Forever was not that bad. Batman and Robin was atrocious however! Except for the Batmobile. That Clooney Batmobile was a work of art!
Superman has been on the screen for almost the same amount of time
Which is why I made this video about a year later! - czcams.com/video/ZqoAyownaOc/video.html
I know this was while ago and I agree that Michael Keaton IS the best Batman, you forgot Mask of the Phantasm, it was released in theaters.