The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, from a screenplay co-written with his brother Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is the sequel to Batman Begins (2005), and the second installment in The Dark Knight trilogy. The plot follows the vigilante Batman, police lieutenant James Gordon, and district attorney Harvey Dent, who form an alliance to dismantle organized crime in Gotham City. Their efforts are derailed by the Joker, an anarchistic mastermind who seeks to test how far Batman will go to save the city from chaos. The ensemble cast includes Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman. Warner Bros. Pictures prioritized a sequel following the successful reinvention of the Batman film series with Batman Begins. Christopher and Batman Begins co-writer David S. Goyer developed the story elements, making Dent the central protagonist caught up in the battle between Batman and the Joker. In writing the screenplay, the Nolans were influenced by 1980s Batman comics and crime drama films, and sought to continue Batman Begins' heightened sense of realism. From April to November 2007, filming took place with a $185 million budget in Chicago and Hong Kong, and on sets in England. The Dark Knight was the first major motion picture to be filmed with high-resolution IMAX cameras. Christopher avoided using computer-generated imagery unless necessary, insisting on practical stunts such as flipping an 18-wheel truck and blowing up a factory. The Dark Knight was marketed with an innovative interactive viral campaign that initially focused on countering criticism of Ledger's casting by those who believed he was a poor choice to portray the Joker. Ledger died from an accidental prescription drug overdose in January 2008, leading to widespread interest from the press and public regarding his performance. When it was released in July, The Dark Knight received acclaim for its mature tone and themes, visual style, and performances—particularly that of Ledger, who received many posthumous awards including Academy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe awards for Best Supporting Actor, making The Dark Knight the first comic-book film to receive major industry awards. It broke several box-office records and became the highest-grossing 2008 film, the fourth-highest-grossing film to that time, and the highest-grossing superhero film. Since its release, The Dark Knight has been assessed as one of the greatest superhero films ever, one of the best movies of the 2000s, and one of the best films ever made. It is considered the "blueprint" for many modern superhero films, particularly for its rejection of a typical comic-book movie style in favor of a crime film that features comic-book characters. Many filmmakers sought to repeat its success by emulating its gritty, realistic tone to varying degrees of success. The Dark Knight has been analyzed for its themes of terrorism and the limitations of morality and ethics. The United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2020. A sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, concluded The Dark Knight trilogy in 2012.
Sit down. The public likes you. That's the only reason that this might fly. But that means it's on you. They're all gonna come after you now, and not just the Mob. Politicians, journalists, cops. Anyone whose wallet's about to get lighter. Are you up to it? You'd better be. Because they get anything on you... ...and those criminals are back on the streets, followed swiftly by you and me. Jesus!
The Dark Knight
I think your fundraiser will be a great success, sir. And why do you think I wanna hold a party for Harvey Dent? I assumed it was your usual reason for socializing beyond myself... ...and the scum of Gotham's underbelly: To try to impress Miss Dawes. Very droll, but very wrong. Actually, it's Dent. Police released video footage found concealed on the body. Sensitive viewers, be aware. The image is disturbing. Tell them your name. Brian Douglas. And are you the real Batman? No. No? -No. -No? Then why do you dress up like him?
The Dark Knight
Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Because he's a symbol that we don't have to be afraid of scum like you. Yeah. You do, Brian. You really do. Huh? Yeah. Oh, shh, shh, shh. So you think Batman's made Gotham a better place? Hm? Look at me. Look at me! You see, this is how crazy Batman's made Gotham. You want order in Gotham... ...Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in. Oh, and every day he doesn't, people will die. Starting tonight. I'm a man of my word.
The Dark Knight
Harvey Dent, scourge of the underworld... ...scared stiff by the trust-fund brigade. -I'll be back. -Rachel. A little liquid courage, Mr. Dent? -Thank you. Alfred, right? -That's right, sir. Rachel talks about you all the time. You've known her her whole life. Not yet, sir. Any psychotic ex-boyfriends I should be aware of? Oh, you have no idea.
The Dark Knight
I'm sorry that I'm late. I'm glad to see that you all got started without me. Now, where is Harvey? Where--? Harvey Dent, the man of the hour. Where's Rachel Dawes? She is my oldest friend. Come here. When Rachel first told me she was dating Harvey Dent, I had one thing to say: "The guy from those God-awful campaign commercials?" "I believe in Harvey Dent." Yeah, nice slogan, Harvey. But it caught Rachel's attention. And then I started to pay attention to Harvey...
The Dark Knight
You know that day that you once told me about... ...when Gotham would no longer need Batman? -It's coming. -Bruce. -You can't ask me to wait for that. -It's happening now. Harvey is that hero. He locked up half of the city's criminals, and he did it without wearing a mask. Gotham needs a hero with a face.
The Dark Knight
Lieutenant, that joker card pinned to the body? Forensics found three sets of DNA. -Any matches? -All three. The DNA belongs to Judge Surrillo, Harvey Dent and Commissioner Loeb. The Joker's telling us who he's targeting. Get a unit over to Surrillo's house. Tell Wuertz to find Dent. Protective custody. Where's the commissioner? -City hall. -Seal the building. -No one in or out till I get there. -Got it.
The Dark Knight
Gordon. What are you up to? We're secure. I want a floor-by-floor search of the entire building. We believe the Joker's made a threat against your life. These are dangerous people. -You're not giving me a lot of information. -Even we don't know where you're going. Take the envelope, get in, open it. It'll tell you where you're headed.
The Dark Knight
You can't leave me alone with these people. The whole Mob's after you and you're worried about these guys? Compared to this, the Mob doesn't scare me. Gordon, you're unlikely to discover this for yourself, so... ...take my word, the police commissioner earns a lot of threats. I found the appropriate response to these situations a long time ago. Them gunning for you makes you see things clearly. Yeah, I bet. Yeah. It makes you think about things you couldn't stand losing... ...about who you wanna spend your life with. -That's a pretty big commitment. -Not if the Mob has their way.
The Dark Knight