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Dark Knight Analysis

The extract from the Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, uses various techniques to create a

sense of mystery surrounding the Joker. This is done to build suspense and develop a sense of

confusion, as to who this character is. This is done through various shot types and the use of diegetic

and non-diegetic sound.

A significant early shot in the extract shows the Joker with his back to the camera as it slowly zooms

on a clown mask he is holding; this is made important through the blend of camera work and non-

diegetic sound used to create mystery as to his identity. Firstly, the film does not tell us the

character but heavily implies it based on the audiences fore knowledge. This is done by the slow

low-angle zoom coupled with a slow drum beat, as the character is mysteriously introduced. This

shows the character is totemic to the narrative, as well as hinting he is a possible antagonist. That is

complimented by a building sound to create suspense at his identity, as the audience cannot see the

face of this mysterious character. To contrast this he is presented through the use of an intimidatingclown mask which the audience may identify with the widely known figure of the joker.

Mise-en-scene in a long shot is also used to add to the mystery of the character by juxtaposing his

unusual stance (back to camera and power stance) and dark clothes with the generally bright

atmosphere and people representing the status quo. This is also of significance within the context of

the scene as the audience knows he is about to commit a robbery of sorts, which makes him appear

even more audacious as to try this in the middle of the day.

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Another revealing moment of the Jokers character comes later on wherein an employee of the

bank, presumably with mob connection, fires a shotgun at the joker and the other bank robbers

causing a temporary halt in their plan. There are 2 major shots contributing to this scene, one is a

tracking shot of the bank teller striding toward the Joker with his shotgun. The other is a second

tracking shot of the Joker attempting to flee under the desks in the bank. The former is very effective

in placing the bank tellers character as a legitimate threat with the tracking used to mirror his pace

and impending wrath as well us a slightly low angle to make him appear more intimidating and a

threatening presence to the Joker. The low angle may also be used to connote a moral superiority

when compared to the Joker. This is edited to coincide and contrast with a similar tracking shot of

the joker fleeing the gunman within the same scene; however the shot of the joker is from a high

angle which would thusly represent the opposing views from the gunman, stating that the joker is

morally dubious and cowardly. This is also how by the fact he is shown fleeing under the desks and

allowing one of his fellow robbers to be shot down, which tells us he has no moral code and feels no

obligation of loyalty, which foreshadows his characters future actions significantly.

Editing and sound also play key roles in this scenes impact as while the tension builds as the bank

teller stride towards the robbers with a shot gun so does the score, which increases in speed and

volume with drums being beaten heavily to create an air of danger for the robbers, whose plan

appears to be failing, the music then disappears to be replaced only by the diegetic sound of the

bank tellers voice threatening them which build tension and stops the release of tension that music

can be. This mood is increased through parallel editing which cross-cuts the shots of the robbers in

the banks front of house with the thiefs trying to break in to the bank vault, this builds a sense of

doom as Nolan cuts between the joker on the bank floor being shot at with the safe-cracker being

shocked, and seemingly defeated, by the vault. This give the audience the impression the robbery

will fail and the joker will be arrested or killed thus building suspense as to the outcome of hisquestionable plan.

Lastly, the shots which arguably reveal the most about the jokers character come in the final

moments of the scene, in which there seem to be only 1 robber and the joker left alive, through the

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jokers actions to kill this last remaining robber . This shows him to be amoral and cunning as it tells

us he is disloyal to those who trusted him as well as very strategic in his every move, which is shown

as he slowly gets the final robber to move in to the path of the bus.

This reveals to the audience that the Joker is perhaps more organised and prepared than he appears

later in the film. This scene shows his careful timing and planning of the heist, it also foreshadow the

dark humour in his complicated character in the way he, somewhat humorously, kills the other

robber.

The Camera work also plays into this cunning perception of the Joker as it gradually turns with him

and follows his every step as he fools the other into standing in the path of the bus, this builds

suspense as the audience knows that he is planning something but it is not clear what. There is also

minimal music accompanying the scene as it quietly builds allowing focus on the dialogue and

actions that foreshadow his betrayal. The long shot also reveals the jokers somewhat awkward and

ungraceful stance and unconventional features, thus foreshadowing problems in his later character