Batman / Joker scenes - Live action

[Mandon Knight]

After the ZSJL, we now have 3 films with 4 very different scene 'takes' on the Batman - Joker relationship / dynamic that goes back years, in a live action format.

Not including Suicide Squad (2016) as they didn't meet but where in same scene together.

Also TDK as two entries to choose from, given it has two scenes, an advantage possibly, but am just representing what is correctly available as choice.

Which is your favourite scene of the choices and why do you think & feel that is the case?

I was mightily impressed by Leto in ZSJL and dynamic between he and Affleck was incredible for me, given they weren't in the same room when filming together and although a relatively short scene, the performances and tension and the fact you could tell they'd been doing it for years was present.

 

[SupermanFan]

It’s up there, I actually thought the deleted scene was even better aswell although I heard he was told he couldn’t use that by WB.

 

[Captain Tired]

I'll go with '89 because it's got my favourite Batman and second favourite Joker in it. Feels exactly like the classic chemistry they had in the comics from that period, i.e., the stolid Batman beating the snot out of a weaselly and cowardly playful Joker. And also because I like the whole 'I made you, you made me first' interplay they've got going on.

 

[Schlosser85]

Heath Ledger to me is easily the best live-action Joker, so I have to go with TDK.

 

[Filmfreak]

The interrogation scene is quite possibly the best scene in any superhero film and among the best in cinematic history.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I really can’t take anyone who voted for the Knightmare scene seriously, I’m sorry but not sorry.

It will always be the Interrogation scene for me though.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Yeah, I'm not even considering the Knightmare scene. It was... not for me.

I'm torn on the Cathedral and Interrogation scene. For atmosphere and the sheer pulp factor I want to say BATMAN 89, but the acting/chemistry is undeniable in THE DARK KNIGHT.

I'll throw a bone to the Cathedral scene, only because I expect the Interrogation sequence to win this hands down. Both great in their own way.

 

[Mani-Man]

Interrogation scene all the way when it comes to live action.
The worst is definitly the knightmare bull**** scene that on every corner is so forced edgy and empty.

 

[Schlosser85]

The interrogation scene is quite possibly the best scene in any superhero film and among the best in cinematic history,

Silence of the Lambs vibes.

 

[The Joker]

The interrogation room scene for sure. Its not only superbly acted and shot, its such a wonderful character piece showing the insight on what Joker was all about regarding Batman.

From revealing he doesn't really want to kill Batman because he's too entertaining and "completes him", to flipping the script and revealing he has Rachel hostage as well as Dent, to laughing hysterically in an enraged Batman's face as he beats the hell out of him showcasing Joker is not responsive to the fear/brute force tactics that works on regular criminals. It just doesn't get any better than this.

"You know for a while there I thought you really were Dent. The way you threw yourself after her". Chills.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

As an honorable mention, that last Batman/Joker scene in TDK was chilling too. Gave me one of my favorite quotes:

Heath truly deserved every bit of that Oscar.

 

[Schlosser85]

As an honorable mention, that last Batman/Joker scene in TDK was chilling too. Gave me one of my favorite quotes:

Heath truly deserved every bit of that Oscar.

Makes it all the more bittersweet when he says "I think you and I are destined to do this forever", knowing it was actually a one-and-done.

 

[Mandon Knight]

I've included as an option, if people wish to use it.

 

[Babillygunn]

The Knightmare epilogue scene was...nauseating.

What a waste of 2 talented actors. Between the reach___nd sexual reference to the stupid f bomb and Batman saying he would kill the Joker, they were trying too hard to be edgy. Comparing this to the interrogation scene is like comparing Count of Monte Cristo to 50 Shades of Gray.

 

[Boom]

Pretty much every interaction they have in TDK is gold.

 

[RokMeAmadeus]

I just wish I could pick both TDK scenes. They both sum it up perfectly.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

I ****ing love all of these scenes. But the interrogation scene is clearly the best.

 

[Jim-El]

No doubt about it. The interrogation scene!

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I honestly love every interaction on the poll, but gotta go with the TDK Interrogation Room scene.

 

[Zarex]

 

[Captain Tired]

I prefer the deleted scene from the '66 film, where Batman erotically shaves off the Joker's moustache.

 

[Langstrom Karlo]

For me I’d rank them as follows

1. TDK Interrogation scene: High stakes/very tense. 0-100 in no time flat. A no nonsense Batman done playing games and even scaring the police into thinking he’s going to go too far, thus adding another layer of them trying to get into the room to intervene. Great acting, score is fantastic and tense. Only thing I don’t like is Bale’s ridiculous suit (a problem with the film though) and the way it’s shot/lit in this scene.

2. Batman 89 Cathedral Scene: Technically speaking, this feels more like classic Batman and Joker in terms of serious Batman and goofier/more playful Joker. It’s lit and shot extremely well, mood/atmosphere is perfectly gothic. The whole scene is incredible. Highlight for me is the Joker’s voice echoing through the cathedral as Batman looks around intensely with really only his eyes being lit.

3. TDK Upside Down ending: The Joker laughing whilst falling to his death is epic. His speech is chilling, revealing he’s not as insane and fly by night as he appears to be. He’s a lot more calculated and cunning. Topping it off with a great laugh that changes pitch and octaves, going really low and almost demonic (I’d have to assume that was a post production audio edit?). The only thing that stops this scene from being better is Bale’s horrendous acting choices/facial expressions here. Gets very silly at times.

4. Knightmare ZSJL scene: This is atrocious. A Batman that doesn’t seem like Batman at all, losing his cool way too quickly, makes hollow threats that don’t seem intimidating, drops F-bombs and promises to murder. A Joker with a monotone and repetitive laugh, cringy dialogue that seems to just add random fan service type lines here and there that just don’t make any sense. Everything here is incredibly off base, but hey! Snyder made Batman super edgy! He swears and murders, and the Joker gives “reach arounds”...

 

[Gothamsknight]

Every scene between Batman and the Joker in The Dark Knight. my favorite being that absolutely incredible interrogation scene.

 

[Dr.]

As I understand the Knightmare scenario, the world has been taken over and decimated by Darkseid and his army — which includes a now-evil Superman. Meanwhile, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Lois Lane are dead; and the only team Batman could muster consists of three other surviving heroes and two villains. So given these extreme, (k)nightmarish circumstances, “edginess” (real, not faux) strikes me as entirely apropos. Indeed, an absence of edginess would be conspicuously incongruous.

That said, I’ll go with The Dark Knight interrogation scene as the best Batman/Joker interaction.

 

[Prison Mike]

TDK interrogation scene hands down. How is this even a question? Lol