I rewarded my efforts in completed a research paper a couple days ago with a viewing of Batman: The Dark Knight, my first viewing of it since I saw it originally in the theaters. I had a couple posts brewing at that time, but they were lost amidst the pace of life at the time. I can’t say this is my favorite movie or that it’s a movie I can watch over and over again. It’s frankly too dark and too intense for me to “enjoy” on a semi-regular basis. I did find it brilliant though and I will from time to time watch this in the future because of some of the depth that is captured in the themes and character development.
My favorite scene is the end though. Don’t read any further if you haven’t watched it or if you don’t want it spoiled for you.
This movie is one of the top 5 movies I’ve seen I believe that capture in powerful or creative ways some of the fundamental dynamics of family or organizational systems. You can check back through the blog on some of my previous thoughts on this area using the “systems” category link on the right of the blog in the drop down category menu. I may compile a list of movies in the future that have really enriched my understanding of or perspectives of organizational systems.
Today I’m just going to post the script from the final scene of the movie (link to full script below). Take a read through it or watch the tale end of the movie if you have it and think about how many themes pertaining to systems and leadership are present. What does this reveal about communal anxiety? The dynamic of scapegoating? The character requirements of leadership in the face of despair and anxiety? I’ll share some of my thoughts in a day or two on some of these themes because the way that this movie concludes continues to capture my imagination and points us to some fairly deep waters.
As a primer: (V.O.) = voiceover; Action on the screen is described in parenthesis. Direct quotes are immediately under the character’s name. James is Commissioner Gordon’s son who Batman just saved.
————-
GORDON
Harvey’s prosecution, everything he fought for, everything Rachel died for. Undone. Whatever chance Gotham had of fixing itself… whatever chance you gave us of fixing our city… dies with Harvey’s reputation. We bet it all on him. The Joker took the best of us and tore him down. People will lose all hope.
BATMAN
No. They won’t. (looksat Gordon) They can never know what he did.
GORDON (incredulous)
Five dead? Two of them cops? We can’t sweep that under-
BATMAN
No. But the Joker cannot win. (Batman crouches to Dent’s body.)
BATMAN
Gotham needs its true hero.
(Gently, he turns Dent’s head so the good side of his face is up. Gordon looks from Dent’s face to Batman. Understanding. )
GORDON
You? You can’t-
BATMAN
Yes, I can. (Batman stands. Faces Gordon. )
BATMAN
You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I can do those things because I’m not a hero, like Dent. I killed those people. That’s what I can be.
GORDON (angry)
No, you can’t! You’re not! (Batman hands Gordon his police radio. )
BATMAN
I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.
(INSERT CUT: GORDON STANDS AT A PODIUM AT DENT’S FUNERAL. BEHIND HIM IS A LARGE PHOTOGRAPH OF DENT SMILING. )
GORDON
…a hero. Not the hero we deserved-the hero we needed. Nothing less than a knight. Shining…
GORDON (V.O.)
They’ll hunt you.
BATMAN (V.O.)
You’ll hunt me.
INSERT CUT: GORDON, ON THE ROOF OF GOTHAMCENTRAL, AXE IN HAND, WATCHED BY AN ASSORTMENT OF COPS AND REPORTERS…
BATMAN (V.O.)(CONT’D)
You’ll condemn me, set the dogs on me…
GORDON TAKES THE AXE TO THE BAT SYMBOL- SPARKING, SMASHING…
BATMAN (V.O.)(CONT’D)
…because it’s what needs to happen.
INSERT CUT: ALFRED HOLDS THE LETTER FROM RACHEL. THINKING.
BATMAN (V.O.)(CONT’D)
Because sometimes the truth isn’t good enough…
BATMAN (V.O.) (CONT’D)
…sometimes, people deserve more.
(Batman hurries off. LIMPING into the shadows. )
JAMES
Batman?!
(James RUNS down the stairs to join father- )
JAMES (CONT’D)
Why’s he running, Dad?!
(Gordon stares after Batman. )
GORDON
Because we have to chase him…
JAMES (James looks at his father, confused. )
He didn’t do anything wrong!
(Gordon stares after the Batman. The sound of the dogs becoming louder and more ferocious. )
JAMES (CONT’D)
Why, dad? Why?!
GORDON
Because…
(The Batman LURCHES between shipping containers. STUMBLING. BLEEDING. He makes it to the bat-pod… )
GORDON (V.O.)
…he’s the hero Gotham deserves… but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero…
(The bat-pod streaks through Gotham’sunderground streets, the Batman’s cape fluttering behind. A wraith… )
GORDON (V.O.)
…he’sa silent guardian, a watchful protector… a dark knight.
(The Batman races up a ramp into a blinding light- )
CUT TO BLACK. CREDITS. END.
Full Script can be downloaded here: http://warnerbros2008.warnerbros.com/assets/images/TheDarkKnight_Script.pdf
