Batman: The Movie

My young teen boys get a kick out of these. One of the best values around if you’re into the classic Batman tv series. Lots of episodes! Good quality picture. Fun blast from the past.

Detective Comics from the late 30s and 40s portrayed Batman as a crime fighting detective / vigilante. The nonsensical and totally absurd TV series / movie was based on what the books had become by the 50s and early 60s. A low point in sales for DC at the time. Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). The character was originally written in the style of the pulps and this influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals and was not above using firearms. Batman proved a hit character, and he received his own solo title in 1940. By 1942, the writers and artists behind the Batman comics had established most of the basic elements of the Batman mythos. In the years following World War II, DC Comics adopted a postwar editorial direction that increasingly de-emphasized social commentary in favor of lighthearted juvenile fantasy. The impact of this editorial approach was evident in Batman comics of the postwar period; removed from the bleak and menacing world of the strips of the early 1940s, Batman was instead portrayed as a respectable citizen and paternal figure that inhabited a bright and colorful environment. It has also been suggested by scholars that the characters of Batwoman (in 1956) and Bat-Girl (in 1961) were introduced in part to refute the allegation that Batman and Robin were gay, and the stories took on a campier, lighter feel. In the late 1950s Batman stories gradually become more science fiction-oriented, an attempt at mimicking the success of other DC characters. By 1964, sales on Batman titles had fallen drastically; Bob Kane noted that as a result DC was planning to kill Batman off altogether. Editor Julius Schwartz was soon assigned to the Batman titles and presided over drastic changes. Beginning with 1964s Detective Comics #327 (May 1964) - cover-billed as the New Look - Schwartz introduced changes designed to make Batman more contemporary and return him to more detective-oriented stories. And then came the TV series and movie. Although both the comics and TV show were successful for a time, the camp approach eventually wore thin and the show was canceled in 1968. In the aftermath the Batman comics themselves lost popularity once again. As DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz noted, When the television show was a success, I was asked to be campy, and of course when the show faded, so did the comic books. Starting in 1969, writer Dennis ONeil and artist Neal Adams made a deliberate effort to distance Batman from the campy portrayal of the 1960s TV series and to return the character to his roots as a grim avenger of the night. ONeil said his idea was simply to take it back to where it started. I went to the DC Comics library and read some of the early stories. I tried to get a sense of what Bob Kane and Bill Finger were after.ONeil and Adams first collaborated on the story The Secret of the Waiting Graves (Detective Comics #395, Jan. 1970). Few stories were true collaborations between ONeil, Adams, Julius Schwartz, and inker Dick Giordano, and in actuality these men were mixed and matched with various other creators during the 1970s; nevertheless the influence of their work was tremendous. Giordano said, We went back to a grimmer, darker Batman, and I think thats why these stories did so well . . . Even today were still using Neals Batman with the long flowing cape and the pointy ears. In essence, DC Comics hated the way the Batman TV series / movie butchered their crime-fighting detective. The proper and most accurate point of reference that one should subscribe to are the original comic books - Tim Burton it seems did to a degree and Christopher Nolan has most definitely given us the best portrayal of the classic Batman. At the end of the day, if you like the campy style, thats fine. I just like keeping up with all the historical facts of a fictional character spanning almost 70 years. For reference, parts of this commentary was accessed from Wikipedia and yes I do have a comic book collection into the thousands with several hundred Batman books dating back to the early 60s. Its interesting that a lot of people seem to think that comic books are for kids only and that they should just provide slapstick entertainment, devoid of intelligent dramatic dialogue and social commentary. In fact comic books have been a great study resource because of their anthropological reflections. Look at what Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and many other great storytellers and artists did in the early 60s at Marvel Comics. Super hero comic books that were wonderfully entertaining, incredibly scripted, dialogue that was realistic, dramatic, fun, quirky, serious and occasionally touching on social commentary. What a great balance. Its little wonder Marvel Comics has remained at the top of its field and even better that DC Comics in the late 60s returned to faithfully representing the true classic Batman ethos.

Hilarious movie- especially if you prefer Frank Millers harsher version of the character- but its the commentary tracks that really make it enjoyable even if youve already seen the movie. Recommended if you grew up on it- or want to mock it to no end. Either way this movie is gold.

Adam West is the best Batman ever. Sadly, these days the only version of Batman that you see is the dark one, which is inappropriate for young children. Batman has had so many interpretations throughout the years and the 1960s series is a great representation of his cheesy years. This movie captures all of the silliness of the show in one fun narrative that includes 4 major villains. I love dark Batman, especially Michael Keaton, but if your in the mood for a refreshingly lighter take that you can enjoy with your small kids or goof on with your nerdy comic book friends, then Adam West is your Batman.

A bit much, right? Sorry about that, but this Batman incarnation is silly and fun and serves as a nice occasional break from the dark knight of todays movies. Actually, I didnt watch this Batman too much when it was on TV way back then. My 10 year-old daughter saw a PBS special about super heros on TV in the old days and wanted the pic and, being an old coot, now, I indulged her and ordered it. Surprisingly, I find it much more fun, these days. The video was used, very inexpensive, but in fine condition. The vendor got it to us in a timely manner. I am happy with this order, as I tend to be will all of my amazon purchases.

If you grew up in the 60s like I did, then you likely tuned in to the Batman TV series twice a week. In my estimation Adam West and Burt Ward portrayed the only Batman and Robin that matters. The series was chocked full of arch enemies, camp, humor, wit, vivid color, killer fight scenes w/words such as... POW, WHAM, ZOW, BAM... seemingly coming at you thru your TV screen, a wonderful Batcave set with all the bells and whistles including, but not limited to the Giant Lucite Map of Gotham City. And the series featured, of course, the only Batmobile that matters. If you loved the series... then Batman: The Movie is no disapointment. It has all the same wonderful qualities as the series... the only difference... it runs 105 minutes... and is seen in 1.85:1 widescreen. Now it comes at you on DVD in Brilliant Blue Ray which brings out those vivid colors even more. Ive never seen the Batmobile, so sharp, the Batcave so crisp and clear. An entirely NEW viewing experience for a 46-year-old film. And the extras on the Blue Ray version are BATastic! You will get a close-up interactive tour of the Batmobile from nearly every angle. Its almost as if youre opening the door to the real Batmobile and sitting inside. There are several other extra features as well. I love everything Batman... including the newer darker Batman films, but I do not compare them to the TV series or the film from 1966. Its kinda like comparing apples to oranges. But because they played a huge part of my childhood... Adam, and Burts Batman and Robin are my favorites... and Batman: the Movie (1966) is the only BATMAN Movie that matters.

The film adaptation of the popular ABC TV series from 1966-68 has it all, action, adventure, romance, danger and comedy. Adam West and Burt Ward were excellent in the roles of Batman and Robin. Lee Meriwether(who replaces Julie Newmar due to a prior commitment)was at her sexiest as the Catwoman, and Frank Gorshin, Burgess Meridith and Cesar Romero were hilariously enjoyable as the villains. The special features contains a featurette with Adam and Burt talking about the behind the scenes stories, also there is a tour of the Batmobile with its creator, George Barris. This movie is a treat for kids as well as adults, it may not be the TV series we hope for, but it is close enough!

The TV series that remains the definition of camp lead to this time capsule of 60s popculture. Its fun, especially for those of is old enough to have watched out as children. The subtle nods and fantastic first start performances were lost on me then... Today the show would be impossible to get made [unless Amazon out some such created it as a internet show] as the innocence that permeated the pop culture it came from odd long gone. The closest we can come is the digital punk send up Scott Pilgrim vs. the World which skates a comic big feel minus the innocent fun factor and funny edges [although it tries for both] that Batman has in bucket loads.

Almost all the fun of the Batman TV Show without the commercials (sadly, no Batgirl)! Take the entire regular cast of the TV Show, add in the best villains, stir in a romance between Bruce Wayne and Catwoman with a heavy dose of camp and you have Batman: The Movie (1966). ***Spoilers May Occur Below*** When the Joker (Ceasar Romero), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and Catwoman (Lee Meriwether) join forces to steal a device that will dehydrate anything in order to kidnap the entire United World Central Committee, you know that only Batman and Robin can save the day! Not only do B&R get outwitted a few times, but Bruce Wayne falls for (and almost converts) Catwoman (disguised as Kitka). The regular hi-jinks occurs ending with, you guessed it, Batman and Robin saving the day and the world in the end--even though we do find out that Batman is not perfect in the final return of the Central Committee. Whip out the buttered popcorn, get that giant slurpee, sugar yourself up with a large movie-sized Raisinettes and Milk Duds and lay back in your easy chair to remember what it was like to go to the movies or watch Batman on the daily serialized TV Show. Same Bat Time! Same Bat Channel!

I always liked the Batman TV show and I think it was a very smart move to make this movie with the 4 most known villains. Each one had nice parts. Ive always liked the Riddlers laugh and the Jokers as well. I sure wished that Julie Newmar had been in the role of Catwoman. Theres no other Catwoman like Julie Newmar. All in all the movie has its laughs and great moments. This movie is a must have for all Batman fans of the 60s.