The Dark Knight Batman's artificially modulated voice: DVD option to turn it off

[Batman2005]

Well I suspected something had been done to alter Bale's vocal performance as Batman, and that was confirmed in an article that stated the sound dudes in modulated the voice of Batman in Post-Production to make the lower register even lower or something or other.

I was fine with Bales voice in Batman Begins, and I'm fine with it in TDK although the artificial modulation did stick out a bit for me as did with many other people.

I'd be happy with the artificial modulation being removed from the film in the DVD version of the movie, but I doubt they will do that.

EDITED TO INCLUDE SOURCE:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/enter...ristian-bale-batman-080404-ht,0,2707715.story

Though much of the voice effect is Bale's own doing, under the guidance of director Christopher Nolan and supervising sound editor Richard King, the frequency of his Batman voice was modulated to exaggerate the effect.

Critics and fans have noticed.

"His Batman rasps his lines in a voice that's deeper and hammier than ever," said NPR's David Edelstein.

The New Yorker's David Denby praised the urgency of Bale's Batman, but lamented that he "delivers his lines in a hoarse voice with an unvarying inflection."

Reviewing the film for MSNBC, Alonso Duralde wrote that Bale's Batman in "Batman Begins" ''sounded absurdly deep, like a 10-year-old putting on an 'adult' voice to make prank phone calls. This time, Bale affects an eerie rasp, somewhat akin to Brenda Vaccaro doing a Miles Davis impression."

Before the similes run too far afield, it's worth considering where the concept of a throaty Batman comes from.

In his portrayal on the '60s "Batman" TV series, Adam West didn't alter his voice between Bruce Wayne and Batman. Decades later when Tim Burton brought "Batman" to the big screen in a much darker incarnation, Michael Keaton's inflection was notably -- but not considerably -- different from one to the other.

But it was a lesser-known actor who, a few years after Burton's film, made perhaps the most distinct imprint on Batman's voice. Kevin Conroy, as the voice of the animated Batman in various projects from 1992's "Batman: The Animated Series" right up until this year's "Batman: Gotham Knight," brought a darker, raspier vocalization to Batman.

Conroy has inhabit the role longer than anyone else and though animated voice-over work doesn't have the same cachet as feature film acting, there are quarters where Conroy is viewed as the best Batman of them all -- certainly superior to Val Kilmer or George Clooney.

The animated series are notable because they drew on the DC Comics of Batman as envisioned by Frank Miller, whose work heavily informs "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight." (Bale and Nolan were unavailable to comment for this story.)

As Batman has gotten darker, his voice has gotten deeper. As some critics suggest, Bale and "The Dark Knight" may have reached a threshold, at least audibly.

 

[jackjack924]

...source?

 

[Pennyworth]

the voice doesn't bother me that much...just a bit more noticeable in TDK because his speaking parts are longer.

 

[Jokers_Wild]

I thought the voice was great. Batman is a freakin' beast! It wasn't hammy at all! Hammy is Batman fighting and making wise cracks in his normal voice ala Batman and Robin. Some people ya just can't please...

 

[Nivek]

People are getting pretty wierd with the Bat-voice fixation. Between this and the Gotham Knight Conroy "not sounding right" comments, I think alot of Batfans need to step back and readjust for awhile.

 

[Nepenthes]

The voice was of the most jarring problems with the movie

 

[hatebox]

Certain people and media outlets are basically jumping on the voice because to them that's the only obvious thing wrong with the movie. it's human nature to want to find something to complain about, and the voice is the first thing that comes to mind, so they exaggerate it and before you know it, it's become 'a big deal'.

 

[Nivek]

i dont get that opinion, Bale's Batvoice sounded like an Clint Eastwood-ish ( like Hamburber Hill late 80's era) growl. I dont understand why people think something is wrong. It works, unless your looking to complain.

 

[Nepenthes]

Certain people and media outlets are basically jumping on the voice because to them that's the only obvious thing wrong with the movie. it's human nature to want to find something to complain about, and the voice is the first thing that comes to mind, so they exaggerate it and before you know it, it's become 'a big deal'.

the voice made me gulp as soon as I heard the "rathles the cagesssss" line a David Letterman preview before BB was even out. I actually thought Tonight Show were making a joke and dubbing over it, when it ended and it wasn't funny I was confounded and depressed and I didn't eat my dinner. and then I thought I'd get used to it but not really, just over it

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Certain people and media outlets are basically jumping on the voice because to them that's the only obvious thing wrong with the movie. it's human nature to want to find something to complain about, and the voice is the first thing that comes to mind, so they exaggerate it and before you know it, it's become 'a big deal'.

Exactly right. Yahoo was running on their homepage for a few days the story of "Batman's voice too much?". On their homepage, big, smack right in the middle in bigger font above other news around the world. LOL

Media outlets are aware that Batman is the big story right now so they will do anything, including this type of exaggeration to get people to click and read their "story".

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I dont believe this garbage!!

 

[Nivek]

It just seems really stupid to me. After finally getting past the stigma of the goofy 60's TV show, past Michael Keatons gruf BDSM killing Bats, and Kilmer and Clooneys nipples and neon cheese, all people have to complain about is Bales voice. Jesus, I wish I could send them back to a Time when Bill Murray was going to play Batman.

 

[CuppaJoe07]

It made it to Chicago Tribune?

This is ******ed.

 

[jackjack924]

Psh that's ridiculous. I personally found nothing wrong with the voice at all. This is taking it way too far. Nolan would probably seriously object with any tampering of his original vision/theatrical release.

Blashphemy I say!!

 

[Jokers_Wild]

I think the contrast of his gruff Batman voice to his Bruce Wayne voices further separates and redefines the duality of his nature. Batman is another completely different beast that has taken a life of its own in this movie. An excellent choice by Bale and Nolan.

For the people that hate it, I would like to know how Batman should talk when he's interrogating criminals and beating the ***** out of them? It's a man trying to strike fear into criminals, he's not going to do that by talking normal.

 

[the_monk]

I think this whole thing is ridiculous. The voice is one of the first things that made me love Batman Begins. It was how I always expected Batman to sound.

Plus, I watch a lot of Clint Eastwood movies.

 

[Odin's Lapdog]

Couldn't bale just have a deeper or quieter tone when talking. I'd be much happier suspending belief that bruce wayne and batman don't sound the same.

also eckhart managed to do a great distinguish between harvey and two face without sounding like a nun taking a dump, so why does batman need all the gimmicks.

 

[Quinzel]

This is what i'm tired of, People picking at little things, just so they can take away from the fact that it wasa a great movie.

It was amazing!! you don't have to pick out anything just for the sake of criticism!

And no one said anything in Batman Begins, and it was the same thing.

And i don't need anyone to criticize how i think, so don't give me crap about anything i just said. It was all IMO.

 

[Shane Diesel]

I thought it was fine for the most part. Some phrases sounded kind of corny though b/c he exaggerated the words a little bit.

"Soooomeone knows where he is...."

"This city just showed you its full of people reaady to believe in goooood."

 

[ManofmyWord]

And no one said anything in Batman Begins, and it was the same thing.

You can't be serious. People where flipping out about the voice when BB came out.

 

[goh78]

The only thing more ridiculous than this story is this stupid ass poll.

I'm sorry, are you honestly suggesting a DVD menu item to turn off his voice alteration? And is the Kevein Conroy replacement serious too?

Yeah replace the voice of title character of the biggest movie of the year (and maybe of all time when the DVD comes out)

This must be a joke cause no one could be this stupid/far removed from reality.

 

[Axtech]

a) I don't really entirely believe the article, which passingly mentions that the voice was edited, but never actually cites a source for that information

b) way to make a biased poll by making people who choose the first option sound like raving lunatics, complete with simulated swearing

 

[Nepenthes]

I agree with everyone about the media jumping on it but c'mon at least with posters here it is a slightly common complaint. You really think fans want to find things to dislike?, of course not. Some of us are just genuinely annoyed by it, despite all rationalizations about being a beast or whatever (which is a cool thought I admit, it just doesn't work). So what big deal it's not like complaining about make-up is it. Odin has a point there are other ways to sound bestial. To me the it sounded like a contrived macho man act, like how you hear kids put on a deeper voice when they playfight and role play. it put Batman in a light I'm not used to.

A "nun taking a dump", ha ha that is right

 

[TruerToTheCore]

THis will definitely not happen, but I would like the idea.

My friends already laughed their asses off when I showed them "Batman Begins", I don't know what they will do when they hear "The Dark Knight".

 

[Odin's Lapdog]

You can't be serious. People where flipping out about the voice when BB came out.

very true, to say no one commented during begins is a far stretch, his batman voice changed in every scene in begins, at least it was consistent here, if not to everyone's taste