Batman(1966 film)

"Batman: The Movie" redirects here. For the video game, seeBatman (1989 video game).

Batman(also known asBatman: The Movie) is a 1966 Americansuperhero filmdirected byLeslie H. Martinson.Based on thetelevision series,and the first full-length theatrical adaptation of theDC Comicscharacter of the same name,the film starsAdam Westas Batman andBurt WardasRobin.The film hit theaters two months after the last episode of the first season of the television series. The film includes most members of the original TV cast, with the exception ofJulie NewmarasCatwoman,who, in the movie, was replaced byLee Meriwether.

Batman
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Leslie H. Martinson
Written by	Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Based on	Batman by Bob Kane(credited) and Bill Finger(uncredited)
Produced by	William Dozier
Starring	Adam West Burt Ward Lee Meriwether Cesar Romero Burgess Meredith Frank Gorshin
Cinematography	Howard Schwartz
Edited by	Harry Gerstad
Music by	Nelson Riddle
Production company	Greenlawn Productions
Distributed by	20th Century-Fox
Release date	July 30, 1966(1966-07-30)
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.378 million
Box office	$3.9 million(rentals)

Plot

When Batman and Robin get a tip that Commodore Schmidlapp, owner of the Big Ben Distillery, is in danger aboard his yacht, they launch a rescue mission using theBatcopter.As Batman descends on the bat-ladder to land on the yacht, it suddenly vanishes beneath him. He rises out of the sea with a shark attacking his leg. After Batman dislodges it with bat-shark repellent,the shark explodes. Batman and Robin head back to Commissioner Gordon's office, where they deduce that the tip was a set-up by the United Underworld, a gathering of four of the most powerful villains inGotham City:the Joker,the Penguin,the Riddler,andthe Catwoman.

The four criminals equip themselves with a dehydrator that can turn humans into dust until they are rehydrated (an invention of Schmidlapp's, who is unaware that he has been kidnapped), escape in a war-surplus, pre-atomic submarine made to resemble apenguin,and recruit three pirate-themed henchmen (Bluebeard, Morgan and Quetch). Batman and Robin learn that the yacht was really a holographic projection and return viaBatboatto a buoy concealing a projector, where they are trapped on the buoy by a magnet and targeted by torpedoes. They use a radio-detonator to destroy two of the missiles, and aporpoisesacrifices itself to intercept the last one. Catwoman, disguised asSovietjournalist "Kitayna Ireyna Tatanya Kerenska Alisoff" (acronymed as Kitka) of the MoscowBugle,helps the group kidnap Bruce Wayne and pretends to be kidnapped with him, as part of a plot to lure Batman and finish him off with another of Penguin's explosive animals (of course unaware that Bruce Wayne is Batman's alter-ego).

After Bruce Wayne fights his way out of captivity, he again disguises himself as Batman, and the Dynamic Duo returns to the United Underworld's HQ, only to find a smoking bomb. Batman is met with frustration rushing all over the docks unable to locate a safe place to dispose of the bomb but finally does so in the nick of time. The Penguin disguises himself as the Commodore and schemes his way into theBatcavealong with five dehydrated henchmen. This plan fails when the henchmen unexpectedly disappear intoantimatteronce struck: the Penguin mistakenly rehydrated them with toxicheavy waterused to recharge the Batcave'satomic pile,leaving them highly unstable. Ultimately, Batman and Robin are unable to prevent the kidnapping of the dehydratedUnited World Organization's Security Council,consisting of ambassadors from Japan, the U.S, the U.S.S.R., Israel, France, Spain, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria. Giving chase in theBatboatto retrieve them (and Miss Kitka, presumed by the duo as still captive), Robin uses a sonic charge weapon to disable The Penguin's submarine and force it to surface, where a fist fight ensues.

Although Batman and Robin come out on top, Batman is heartbroken to discover that his "true love" Miss Kitka is actually Catwoman when she loses her mask. Commodore Schmidlapp accidentally breaks the powdered Council members' vials and sneezes on them, scattering the dust. Batman sets to work, constructing an elaborate Super Molecular Dust Separator to filter the mingled dust. Robin asks him whether it might be in the world's best interests for them to alter the dust samples so that humans can no longer harm one another. In response, Batman says that they cannot do so, reminding Robin of the fate of the Penguin's henchmen and their tainted rehydration, and can only hope for people, in general, to learn to live together peacefully on their own.

With the world watching, theSecurity Councilis re-hydrated. All members are restored alive and well, but continue to squabble amongst themselves, totally oblivious of their surroundings; however, each of them now speaks the language and displays the stereotypical mannerisms of a nation other than their own. Batman quietly expresses his sincere hope to Robin that this "strange mi xing of minds" does more good than harm. The duo quietly leavesUnited World Headquartersby climbing out of the window and descending on their bat-ropes.

Cast

• Adam WestasBruce Wayne / Batman
• Burt WardasDick Grayson/Robin
• Lee MeriwetherasThe Catwoman,Kitka
• Cesar RomeroasThe Joker
• Burgess MeredithasThe Penguin
• Frank GorshinasThe Riddler
• Alan NapierasAlfred
• Neil HamiltonasCommissioner Gordon
• Stafford ReppasChief O'Hara
• Madge BlakeasAunt Harriet
• Reginald Dennyas Commodore Schmidlapp
• Milton Fromeas Vice Admiral Fangschleister
• Gil Perkinsas Bluebeard
• Dick Crockettas Morgan
• George Sawayaas Quetch
• Teru Shimadaas Japanese Delegate
• Maurice Dallimoreas United Kingdom Delegate
• Gregory Gayeas Soviet Delegate
• Albert Carrieras French Delegate
• Van Williams(uncredited voice) as PresidentLyndon B. Johnson

Production

Development

William Dozierwanted to make a big-screen film to generate interest in his proposedBatmantelevision series by having the feature in theaters while the first season of the series was rolling before the cameras. The studio,20th Century-Fox,refused because it would have to cover the entire cost of a movie, while it would only have to share the cost of a TV series (a much less risky proposition).

The studio acquiesced after a 1965 screening ofColumbia Pictures' 1943The Batmanserial inNew York Cityrenewed interest in the character and after the television series became phenomenally successful. The project was announced in a March 26, 1966, issue ofVarietymagazine.

The film features many characters from the show. It was written by series writerLorenzo Semple Jr.and directed byLeslie H. Martinson,who had directed a pair of the television series season one episodes: "The Penguin Goes Straight"and"Not Yet, He Ain't".Semple Jr. completed the screenplay in 10 days. Principal photography began on April 28, 1966, and concluded within 28 days, with a further three days to complete second-unit photography.

Casting

The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and the Joker (Cesar Romero) in 1966. These actors also played the television roles.

Lee Meriwetheracted as Catwoman in the film (pictured), replacingJulie Newmar,who played Catwoman in the first two seasons of the television series.

The film includes most members of the original TV cast: the actors for Batman, Robin, Alfred, Gordon, O'Hara, Aunt Harriet, the Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler all reprised their roles. ThoughJulie Newmarhad at this point playedCatwomanin two episodes ofseason onein theTV series,she had other commitments at that timeand was replaced byLee Meriwetherin the film. According to theBiographyspecialCatwoman: Her Many Livesaired on July 20, 2004, Newmar was unable to reprise her role because of a back injury.Catwomanwas nonetheless played by Newmar once again in the following eleven episodes ofseason twoof the series;Eartha Kittwould then playCatwomanin three episodes ofseason three.

Jack LaLannehas a cameo as a man on a rooftop with bikini-clad women.

Tone and themes

Even though it is often described (like many contemporary shows) as a parody of a popular comic-book character, some commentators believe that its comedy is not so tightly confined. They felt the film's depiction of the Caped Crusader "captured the feel of the contemporary comics perfectly".The film was made at a time when "the Batman of theGolden Age comicswas already essentially neutered ".

Certain elements verge into direct parody of the history of Batman. The movie, like the TV series, is strongly influenced by the comparatively obscure 1940s serials of Batman, such as the escapes done almost out of luck.The penchant for giving devices a "Bat-" prefix and the dramatic use of stylized title cards during fight scenes acknowledge some of the conventions that the character had accumulated in various media. However, the majority ofBatman's campier moments can be read as a broader parody on contemporary mid-1960s culture in general.

Furthermore, the movie represented Batman's first major foray intoCold Warissues, paying heavy attention toPolaris Missiles,war surplus submarinesand taking a poke atthe Pentagon.The inclusion of a glory-hunting presidential character and the unfavorable portrayal of Security Council Members marked Batman's first attempts to poke fun at domestic and international politics.

Vehicles

The Batmobile as seen in the 1960sBatmanTV series (photo 2003)

Besides theBatmobile,other vehicles used by The Dynamic Duo include:

• Batcyclewith side car
• Batboat,provided byGlastron
• Batcopter

Of the three new Batvehicles which first appeared in theBatmanfilm, only theBatcycleproperly crossed over into theTV seriesas the budgetary limits of the TV series precluded the full use of the others. While theBatcopterandBatboatfrom the movie appeared briefly in episodes (including a use of the Batboat in the conclusion of the first post-film two-parter: "Walk the Straight and Narrow"), they primarily did so in the form of stock-footage scenes from the film intercut into the series.

Music

Nelson Riddle's original score toBatman the Moviewas released in 2010 by La-La Land Records andFox Music.The album contains the entire score as heard in the film in chronological order as well as an unreleased cue. This limited edition includes a lavishly illustrated color booklet which features exclusive liner notes by Brian Baterwhite. This Limited Edition was of 2000 units.

It was newly re-issued in 2016. While the program and master of this release is identical to the 2010 release, this reissue features all-new exclusive liner notes by John Takis and art design by Jim Titus. This new Limited Edition is of 2500 units.

Release

Theatrical

Batmanpremiered at theParamount TheatreinAustin, Texas,on July 30, 1966 (between the first and second seasons of theTV series); it was moderately successful at the box office. TheBatboatfeatured in the film was created by Austin-based companyGlastron,whose payment was in having the film premiere in their hometown. In conjunction with the premiere, Jean Boone of Austin CBS affiliate stationKTBCinterviewed the film's cast, includingLee Meriwether,Cesar Romero,andAdam West.

Television

ABC, the network which previously aired theBatmantelevision series,first broadcast the film on the July 4, 1971, edition ofThe ABC Sunday Night Movie;the film was quickly rebroadcast on ABC September 4 of that year.

Home media

The film debuted on home video via formatsVHSandBetamaxrelease in 1985 byPlayhouse Video,then apparently re-released (after aBlockbuster Videoexecutive asked why itwouldn'tbe repackaged on the heels of the successfulBatmanfilm of 1989)in 1989 byCBS/Fox Video,and in 1994 byFox Video.

The film was released on DVD in 2001, and re-released July 1, 2008, onDVDand onBlu-rayby20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Reception

Box office

According to Fox records, the film needed to earn $3.2 million in rentals to break even and made $3.9 million (equivalent to $36.6 million in 2023).

Critical response

Batmanholds an 81% rating onRotten Tomatoesbased on thirty-six reviews. The site's consensus states: "Batman: The Movieelevates camp to an art form -- and has a blast doing it, every gloriously tongue-in-cheek inch of the way. "Metacritic,which uses aweighted average,assigned the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

Bill Gibron of Filmcritic gave the film 3 out of 5 stars: "Unlike other attempts at bringing these characters to life...the TV cast really captures the inherent insanity of the roles".Varietystated in their review that "the intense innocent enthusiasm of Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith and Frank Gorshin as the three criminals is balanced against the innocent calm of Adam West and Burt Ward, Batman and Robin respectively".

Sequels

Main articles:Batman: Return of the Caped CrusadersandBatman vs. Two-Face

West and Ward reprised their roles inBatmananimated movies for the show's 50th anniversary along with Julie Newmar returning.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaderswas released on Digital HD and digital media on October 11, 2016, and on DVD and Blu-ray November 1.

A sequel toBatman: Return of the Caped CrusaderscalledBatman vs. Two-Facewas released on October 10, 2017. The film starredWilliam ShatnervoicingTwo-Faceas the main antagonist.Adam Westcompleted his voiceover work, but died ofLeukemiain June 2017, before it was released.

See also

• List of American films of 1966

External links

• BatmanatIMDb
• BatmanatRotten Tomatoes
• Batmanat theTCM Movie Database
• Batman The Movieat BYTB: Batman Yesterday, Today and Beyond (archived 2006)
• BATMAN(1966, U.S.)at kiddiematinee (archived 2010)
• Jean Boone – Interview with the cast ofBatman: The Movie(1966)(archived 2008)