A Filmmaker's Guide to: "The Dark Knight" (2008)

In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we are going to explore some of the films that have changed our outlook of the possibilities in cinema in some way, shape or form. These can include, but are not limited to: revolutionary cinematography, narratives that challenge the social structure and the common view, trademark styles of auter cinema, brilliant adaptations of novels and other works, films of philosophical value and films that touch our hearts and souls with their incredible underlying messages and morals. Within each of the films in this chapter there is a certain something that makes them special and a certain something that makes them linger long after we have watched them for the first time. Lasting impressions are difficult to create, but I think that the films we will briefly touch on in this chapter are some of the films we will never ever forget.

The Dark Knight (2008) dir. by Christopher Nolan

Everyone around here remembers when the second instalment to the “Batman” series by Christopher Nolan came out. Many of us remember the delayed release caused by the untimely and upsetting demise of actor Heath Ledger who portrays the Joker in the film. Many of us also remember watching the film numerous times in the cinema because we were so sure that this was going to be a modern classic. Today, just over twelve years later, this film has become one of the most respected superhero movies of all time and comes very close to the Batman previously directed by Tim Burton in 1989. It is a modern masterpiece of chaos and retribution.

Released during the mid to end of July 2008, this film was released and was possibly a first for many superhero film accolades and types - including the Best Supporting Actor Oscar won posthumously by Heath Ledger for his terrifying portrayal of the Joker.

The movie was filmed between late 2006 and late 2007 with its release stunted slightly by the death of the supporting actor, Heath Ledger. One thing you have to concentrate on though is that this is the first ever Batman film to be filmed in 70mm - and as a director, Christopher Nolan made his choices meticulously. For the scenes in Hong Kong, Nolan filmed in the early days of November, 2007 for around a week in order to get the correct sequences and sets from the beautiful location.

Empire Magazine’s 500 Greatest Movies of All Time rated “The Dark Knight” (2008) at number 15 and the 2008 list of the greatest characters ranked Heath Ledger’s Joker as third. Whilst in 2012, Total Film Magazine ranked “The Dark Knight” (2008) as the sixth biggest and most accomplished film of the last decade and a half with Empire Magazine then rating it the third best film of the 21st Century.

I think everyone can appreciate the soundtrack to this film. Like many of Nolan’s soundtracks, he not only wins awards for them, but they also depict something within their larger cultural history. As music that is normally shrouded with darkness, brass instruments and makes a point of being almost ‘heavy’ and ‘brooding’ in its nature, its easy to say that Nolan knew exactly what he wanted for making this film and the legendary Hans Zimmer made it come true. Having previously worked on “Batman Begins” (2005), Hans Zimmer became the key ingredient for creating the incredibly dark and psychotic atmosphere that today we associate so closely with Batman that it has become difficult for other directors of the series to move away from it. On the 8th of February, 2009, the soundtrack won the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media and then, a few months later, the Classic BRIT Award for Best Soundtrack as well. Known as Nolan and Zimmer’s greatest effort, it would come to influence many of Nolan’s films including the eardrum-obliterating “Inception” (2010) soundtrack two years’ later.

“You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when things go "according to plan"... even if the plan is horrifying. If, tomorrow, I tell the press that, like, a gang-banger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will be blowing up, nobody panics, because "it's all part of the plan". But I say that one little old mayor will die... well then everyone loses their minds! Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos. Oh, and you know the thing about chaos? It's fair.”

- The Joker, ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)