A complete summary and analysis of each scene in the Dark Knight as well as a summary of the Dark Knight Rises. These notes also include important points about the main characters. You will be thoroughly prepared for any questions on any of the two movies. These notes helped me learn both movies ba...
SCENE 1
Business as Usual in Gotham City
• Masked men are seen staging a bank heist (mob bank) in broad
daylight. As each criminal finishes his assigned task, he is killed
by one of his partners until only the Joker is left.
Scene opens with Long Shot of Gotham
Joker says, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Joker steals from criminals – he wants to cause chaos
Joker is strategic, confident, afraid of nothing
Colours are neutral except for the joker’s make-up and masks-
draw attention to the Joker
• That night, we find Lieutenant Jim Gordon on the Gotham Police
Department roof manning the Bat Signal. He comments that
Batman doesn't show up most times, hopefully because he is
busy.
The investigation into Batman is ongoing but they do not have
any leads
Gordan likes reminding everybody that he is out there
• Out in the wilds of Gotham, the Scarecrow is selling fear-based
hallucinogens to the Russian mob. The Russians are unhappy
with the product, having not read the "this product will bring
your nightmares to life" warning on the package.
• The altercation is interrupted by a small army of Batman
copycats, most of whom sport demonstrable paunches. It
doesn't go so well for them.
Copycats use guns
Batman chooses to go after the mob instead of the joker who
uses fear
• Then Batman makes an official appearance with the bat mobile
and the whole "pound the bad guys" thing gets real.
• He begins by rescuing his Mini Me's from some very scary dogs,
then dispatches the local gangsters and the Scarecrow. He
leaves everyone trussed up for the police to sort out.
SCENE 2
Big Harvey
• Alfred finds Bruce in an underground concrete chamber (serving as
his headquarters while his mansion gets rebuilt) where he is sewing
up an injury.
, • Bruce and Alfred discuss Rachel, and her hanging out with the new
DA, Harvey Dent. Alfred warns Bruce about his limits, though Bruce
maintains that the Batman can't afford to have any.
Rachel was his love interest but now she is with Harvey
• Over in the courthouse, Harvey Dent and Rachel cross-examine a
mob goon who tries to shoot him mid-sentence. The gun jams, and
Harvey knocks him flat with one mighty blow. Behold, the power of
justice! Harvey is trying to put away Salvatore Maroni
Harvey mentions his coin – He says he makes his own luck
Colours look washed out – sickly, corrupt
Harvey is a perfect polished person in court
Harvey is the district attorney
• Jim Gordon meets Harvey at the DA's office. Harvey insists on
meeting the Batman, and generally has his cranky pants on about
Gordon's Special Crimes Unit.
There is money laundering – the mob is getting its money out
Harvey investigated Gordon’s cops in internal affairs
(Corruption)
Gordan relies on Batman more than the police he works with
He calls Harvey the white knight of Gotham city – contrast
with the dark knight
• They make a passing joke about a nickname that GPD has for
Harvey, but don't tell us what it is – Two Face
SCENE 3
Let's Lock Up the Mob!
• Lucius Fox talks to the board of directors at Wayne Enterprises,
while Bruce catches some much-needed sleep at the other end of
the table.
Fox is a trusted ally of Batman
Alfred, Rachel Dawes and Lucius know Bruce is Batman
Mr Lau is proposing a joint Chinese venture with Lau Security
investments
• It's all a sham, however, and when the others leave, Bruce pops up
and tells Lucius to cancel the deal – revenue stream off the books
maybe even illegal
• Harvey and Rachel are at a fancy dinner when Bruce shows up to
crash their date with a Russian ballerina on his arm. The four
discuss Batman.
Harvey says, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough
to see yourself become evil.”
Bruce wants to throw Harvey a fundraiser
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