The Darkening of the Cinematic Batman

Abstract

The aim of my essay is to demonstrate how the cinematic Batman has been shaped over the time and transformed from a superficial superhero into a highly-philosophical hero. For my study I am going to rely not only on the movies, but also on secondary sources, such as film reviews and literature on film aesthetics. The first two chapters offer the cultural background of heroism and superheroes, then the third part discusses the place of Batman‘s character in this cultural matrix. The following chapters are dedicated to the portrayal of the cinematic Batman: each concerned with the works of three directors – Tim Burton, Joel Schumacher and Christopher Nolan. In the end, the reader can get acquainted with my conclusions and personal notions of the topic.