Batman - The Dark Knight

Christian Bale ... Bruce Wayne / Batman

Heath Ledger ... The Joker

Aaron Eckhart ... Harvey Dent / Two-Face

Michael Caine ... Alfred Pennyworth

Maggie Gyllenhaal ... Rachel Dawes

Gary Oldman ... Lt. James Gordon

Morgan Freeman ... Lucius Fox

Monique Curnen ... Det. Ramirez
Ron Dean ... Detective Wuertz

Cillian Murphy ... Dr. Jonathan Crane / The Scarecrow

Chin Han ... Lau

Nestor Carbonell ... Mayor

Eric Roberts ... Salvatore Maroni

Ritchie Coster ... The Chechen

Anthony Michael Hall ... Mike Engel

See the IMDB Page of The Dark Knight
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We've been subjected to enormous amounts of hype and marketing for the Dark Knight. We've seen Joker scavenger hunts and one of the largest viral campaigns in advertising history and it culminates with the actual release of the movie.

Everything that's been said is pretty much spot on. This is the first time I can remember where a summer blockbuster film far surpasses the hype.

For as much action as there is in this movie, it's the acting that makes it a great piece of work. Between all the punches, explosions and stunt-work is some great dialog work. All the actors have their moments.

Bale's Batman is the definitive Batman because we see everything in this character finally on film. Martial arts skills, cunning, great tactical thinking, forensic application, technological genius to advance or improve Luscious Fox's inventions/technological breakthroughs, intimidating personality, and even a little swashbuckling.

As for Heath, yes he gets credit for his performance as the Joker. But you have to also recognize Jonathan and Chris Nolan for the writing and treatment of the character. It's not just the fact that Ledger makes the Joker so menacing, but the Nolans have given the character this great manifesto that drives its actions. The Joker's stance on chaos, order, anarchy, the morality of the average modern human being make the character so interesting psychologically. The Nolans drafted a complex character and only a perfect performance could've pulled something like this off. That's how difficult of a role this was, and that's why Ledger's performance is so great.

This isn't an action movie. It's a film that explores literary themes of the hero and villain, as well as order and anarchy. Yes, listen to the dialog because it's all in there.

10/10

Post source

BATMAN actor Christian Bale attended the blockbuster premiere of The Dark Knight with the shadow of arrest and an allegedly violent family row hanging over him.

Police decided to let him attend the glittering bash just hours after his mum Jenny and sister Sharon accused him of assault.

But yesterday the British-born star was arrested after he voluntarily went to a London police station.

Cops spent four hours grilling him over the assault claim before he was released on bail without charge.

He denies the allegation.

Bale, 34, had booked his relatives into the five-star Dorchester Hotel in London's West End so they could attend Monday night's premiere.

But they hurriedly left and returned home to Dorset on Monday morning, just hours after Sunday night's alleged bust-up.

A hotel insider said: "There were no problems in any public areas. The family left very hurriedly and without saying much to each other, but the news about this so-called assault was a shock. Nobody here had a clue."

Mum Jenny, 61 - a part-time clown - is said to have claimed she was pushed over during the row, which broke out in Bale's suite when they returned after a meal at a restaurant.

After Jenny and Sharon reported the alleged assault, police faced a dilemma over whether to arrest him before the premiere of the new Batman movie.

Bale was eventually allowed to walk down the red carpet with wife Sibi as adoring fans screamed his name.

Family ... Christian Bale with, from left, sisters Louise and Sharon, and mum Jenny

Family ... Christian Bale with, from left, sisters Louise and Sharon, and mum Jenny

SPLASH

He joined co-stars including Sir Michael Caine at the cinema in Leicester Square - but it is understood he knew that his relatives had fled and he faced arrest the next morning.

Detectives contacted his agent and Bale went to the police station in posh Belgravia just before noon yesterday.

The actor was given VIP treatment as his people carrier was allowed to sweep in through a back entrance, avoiding waiting photographers.

Fighting evil ... in Batman role

Fighting evil ... in Batman role

But once inside Bale had his photo, fingerprints and a DNA saliva sample taken.

After being questioned for more than four hours, the Los Angeles-based star was released on bail pending further inquiries.

He is due to report back to police in September.

His solicitors, London law firm Schillings, said in a statement: "Christian Bale attended a police station to assist with an allegation made against him by his mother and sister. Mr Bale, who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout."

Jenny, of Bournemouth, said: "There was a family situation but the police are handling it and I cannot say any more. We didn't call the police to the scene."

Sharon, of Wimborne, Dorset, said: "There was an incident but the police are dealing with it. It is an extremely sensitive situation."

Bale grew up in England until he was 13, when his parents split and he went to live in California with dad David.

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In an interview in 2005, Jenny spoke of her pride at her son's success and told how she was looking forward to attending the Batman Begins premiere.

She added: "Christian always receives me with open arms and has never shunned me."

The Dark Knight has smashed box office records in the US, but has been plagued by tragedy.

Heath Ledger, 28, who played The Joker, died from an accidental drug overdose shortly after filming finished, and a special effects technician was killed in an accident during filming.