Batman: The Movie (1966)

The Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.

Director:

Leslie H. Martinson

Writers:

Lorenzo Semple Jr., Bob Kane (based upon the characters created by)

Stars:

Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Adam West	...	Batman / Bruce Wayne
Burt Ward	...	Robin / Dick Grayson
Lee Meriwether	...	The Catwoman / Kitka
Cesar Romero	...	The Joker
Burgess Meredith	...	The Penguin
Frank Gorshin	...	The Riddler
Alan Napier	...	Alfred
Neil Hamilton	...	Commissioner Gordon
Stafford Repp	...	Chief O'Hara
Madge Blake	...	Aunt Harriet Cooper
Reginald Denny	...	Commodore Schmidlapp
Milton Frome	...	Vice Admiral Fangschliester
Gil Perkins	...	Bluebeard
Dick Crockett	...	Morgan
George Sawaya	...	Quetch

Storyline

The arch-villains of the United Underworld - the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler and the Catwoman - combine forces to dispose of Batman and Robin as they launch their fantastic plot to control the entire world. From his submarine, Penguin and his cohorts hijack a yacht containing a dehydrator, which can extract all moisture from humans and reduce them to particles of dust. The evildoers turn the nine Security Council members in the United World Building into nine vials of multicolored crystals! Batman and Robin track the villains in their Batboat and use Batcharge missiles to force the submarine to surface.

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Plot Keywords:

batman character | parody | campy | tongue in cheek | world domination | 

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Taglines:

MEN DIE! WOMEN SIGH! Beneath that Batcape - he's all man!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Jetpack Umbrellas were intended to be smaller in design and worn like backpacks. This was changed likely due to budgetary and practical issues.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 30 mins) During the fight on top of the submarine, at one point Batman swings his arm to punch someone, but there is no one at all in front of him.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: This yacht is bringing a revolutionary scientific invention to Gotham City. On a peaceful afternoon motor ride, millionaire Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward Dick Grayson have been summoned back to Wayne Manor by an urgent but anonymous call for help; the invention *and* its custodian are reported in grave danger aboard the yacht! Never ones to shirk responsibility, Bruce and Dick, with characteristic speed and resolve, descend promptly into The Batcave, and then, as they have done...

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Crazy Credits

The film ends with THE END, then it suddenly changes to THE LIVING END.....?

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Alternate Versions

Some TV prints cut Penguin's final line in the scene in which he dehydrates the pirates ("Every one of the them has a mother!").

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Connections

Version of The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

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Soundtracks

Plaisir D'Amour
(uncredited)
Written by Johann Martini
Sung by Julie Gregg

User Reviews

Cheesy, a great comedy.

I seriously hope that the director intended this film to be a comedy and didn't want the audience to actually take Batman seriously, because after a few minutes of this film, all seriousness is thrown out the window.

When I was young, I used to watch the old Batman TV series, so I kind of knew what to expect, but it has been quite some time since I've seen any of those episodes. The film was far cheesier and sillier that I expected. With all that said, I actually liked the film. I didn't think it was an excellent film, but it was worth my time.

Adam West and Burt Ward are hilarious in this film. The way they say things just cracks me up. The cast of evil-doers are quite good and funny as well: Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, and Frank Gorshin. The rest of the cast pulls off a good performance as well.

I don't know that I would recommend this film to everyone, but if you're a fan of superhero films or just like old campy movies, then this is the film for you. If you do see it, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for reading,

-Chris

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Batman: The Movie

Filming Locations:

Gateway East Building - 1800 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,377,800 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marvel Enterprises, William Dozier Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1