Dark Knight Title Sequence

'Dark Knight' (Directed by: Christopher Nolan)


Part 1 of title sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0


Part 2 of title sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rkpgchJOA&feature=related




Two other students analysed the title sequence of Dark Knight as they thought it was an effective title sequence.

Badman Sign Fading


This image of the Batman logo fading tells the audience straight away that the film is based on Batman.  There is no title of the film shown however this fade of the Batman symbol is so well known internationally that the audience dont need to see the title of the film.  

Clown Masks

In the title sequence we see a bank robbery take place.  The robbers are all wearing clown masks which makes them look cunning and devious.  This may suggest that the robbers find the robbery a joke as clowns generally symbolized as funny.  It also suggests that the robbers want to hide their identity as they are robbing a Mafia Bank.

Genre

In the title sequence we see the robbers explode the window of a building and we also see them using guns, which conveys the genre of action.  The music used in the title sequence is deep and intense which establishes the genre of horror.

Dialogue

When the robbers enter the bank, the bank manager takes matters into his own hands by trying to kill the robbers with his gun.  "You don't know who you're messing with", "You don't steal from us or we will get you".  The bank manager says this as he is referring to the Mafia Bank, who the robbers are trying to steal from.  

Shots

A close up shot is used when one of the robbers takes off his clown mask to reveal that he is the Joker.  The close up shot emphasises the clown make-up on his face, which may suggest that he lives his life as a joke and takes nothing seriously.  This may also explain his signature quote "Why so serious?"

Character Information

In the title sequence we see the robbers killing one another.  

Then we see him shooting the other robber who opens the safe.

One of the robbers then tries to shoot another robber who was the Joker

However he doesnt succeed, as the Joker had already told one of the robbers to kill him with the bus

Then the Joker kills the robber who drove the bus in

The final robber left is the Joker.  The robbers killing each other one by one suggests the robbers are all greedy and want the money all for themselves.  As the Joker is the last robber alive, he may be the protagonist of the film. 

Enigmas Established

Whilst watching the title sequence some enigmas are established, such as: 'Why are the police so slow?', "Why did the bank manager not call the police, but take matters into his own hands', and most importantly "wheres Batman?'.