The Dark Knight In Heath We Trust: A Ledgerbration: The TDK Joker Appreciation Thread

[Mister J]

I think the memoriam said "In Memory of Our Friends Heath Ledger and Guy Wickliffe". It was touching.

Conrad Wickliffe, but yeah, that's what it read. It got an enthusiastic applause from both audiences that I was a part of. The same for Heath's name when it appeared as part of the cast.

 

[Anson]

Found an article about Heath during filming and revealing some background on the Joker role:

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/1052964,SHO-Sunday-zwecker13.article

 

[Mr. Joker]

People in my theater were clapping whenever the Joker did something strategic or whatever. He was damn amazing.

 

[tuffenoughtoroc]

People in my theater were clapping whenever the Joker did something strategic or whatever. He was damn amazing.

Everyone in my theater went crrrrazy over everything! The "pencil magic trick" part resulting in loud cussing and manic laughter, when Gordon suddenly comes back to save Batman, the entire audience was on their feet cheering and clapping, and of course, people were in hysterics when Batman overturned the semi truck!

 

[C. Lee]

That shouldve been first in the credits...

Nope....after the movie is where it belongs.

 

[Mr. Joker]

Everyone in my theater went crrrrazy over everything! The "pencil magic trick" part resulting in loud cussing and manic laughter, when Gordon suddenly comes back to save Batman, the entire audience was on their feet cheering and clapping, and of course, people were in hysterics when Batman overturned the semi truck!

That was the first time my audience clapped. And what a magic trick it was.

 

[The Caped Knight]

HEATH WAS PHENOMENAL AS THE CLOWN PRINCE OF CRIME . Damn He totally owned the Role , He just knock Mark Hamill from the top spot As The best Joker IMO .

 

[Nightmare]

Yeah, id put Heath's Joker above Mark Hamill's Joker from the cartoon.

 

[Dark Globe]

The pencil trick shocked the hell out of me.

 

[Marvolo]

I can't put into words how happy Heath has made me with his portrayal of the Joker. Their isn't a word to describe his performance. I can't thank you enough for the hard work you put into it, Heath. My hat's off to you.

You know it did not really happen until he walked out of the kitchen in the scene where he meets the mob. When he went through the door and out of sight I realized that even if they recasted and the Joker was in the next film, we will never have this Joker again. It was in that scene when he performs his pencil "magic" trick that Heath sold me on his performance. Heath made his version of the Joker something special, and know one will ever be able to pull him off like Heath did. Yes, there will be others, but none who do what Heath did. He was the Joker I have always wanted to see, and it pains me that I will not get to experience more of his wonderful portrayal. He made me laugh, and he truly scarred the living **** out of me at times. When he was talking to the fake Batman on the video before he killed him. The way he growls at the man and bellows "LOOK AT ME!!!" It had a demonic animalistic sound to it, and it terrified me. It reminded me of what the real terorists have done, but it was far scarrier. I can't imagine what it was like filming that scene. I would have been scarred ****less. Then there were moments of true comedic genius such as teh Hospital scene. That entire scene was perfect. How many people can walk around in a nurses outfit, and pull it off. He nailed that scene, and every other scene he was in.

Heath, you made my night, and you made these past three years well worth the wait. I wish that we could wait another three years, and experience this again. However, I know that will never happen now. I wish you could have been here to receive the praise you deserve, but I know that isn't possible. Even though none of this is possible what is possible is for your hard work and dedication to live on through this film, and trust me it will. I love you, man! You were the best, and to me you always will be. Heres to you, Heath! :heart:

 

[Jspider13]

The pencil trick shocked the hell out of me.

Me too.

I wanted to stand up and cheer, it was so awesome.

Had everyone in the theater gasping...

that scene had the biggest applause at the end of it.

when Gordon suddenly comes back to save Batman, the entire audience was on their feet cheering and clapping, and of course, people were in hysterics when Batman overturned the semi truck!

I experienced pretty much the same thing. It was a great experience. Definitely one of my most memorable movie experiences with an audience.


Heath Ledger...God rest your soul.

 

[Doc Samson]

yeah he was great. I kinda want to go back through these threads and see just how many people cried foul when he was announced initially. I know plenty of them need to be eating crow right now (Especially for the ignorant "crow" comparisons & Brokeback jokes) Very few people gave this guy a chance at first, I'm just glad to once again know my trust in Nolan wasn't unfounded, the man knows where this whole thing is going, if he wants to finish the deal is a whole other thing entirely, but he also knows how to cast his roles. Now, nobody wants anyone to play the Joker besides Ledger. Hmmm, what a difference a year makes....

 

[DACrowe]

I knew he was going to kill someone with a pencil because of these boards but how he did it so quickly and slyly comical about it had me shocked and the whole audience really laughed hard. The other part where he drew big laughs was his fidgeting and inability to operate the bomb detonator at the hospital. It was so silly and funny in a very dark and bleak way.

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

The pencil trick was suggested by Jonah Nolan, but Chris wasn't sure it would work. Ultimately, he decided to put it in the film and let us thank them both for it!

This was revealed on BOF (interviews with the Nolans) in case you're wondering..

 

[Crook]

It was indeed a very bad-ass scene. Only minor quibble is I'm not sure a pencil would go straight through his skull, especially eraser-side first.

 

[Jspider13]

It was indeed a very bad-ass scene. Only minor quibble is I'm not sure a pencil would go straight through his skull, especially eraser-side first.

I imagined it going through his eye socket.

 

[DoomRulz]

Heath Ledger was easily the best Joker we've ever scene in anything Batman-related. Period. And yes, I do mean even better than Mark Hammill's character in the animated series.

I can't sum up in words just how amazing the new Joker is. But if I really had to, I'd say: scary. This new Joker is terrifying. And not even just that, but really, really twisted. I mean, if the guy sees an opportunity to kill someone he takes it. No questions asked; and if he can do it in an extremely graphic manner, he does.

What made this Joker work more so than any other I think was the makeup. It was all smudged and looked like he could have indeed just walked out of a vat of chemicals. Jack Nicholson had terrific makeup as well, but it was perfect meaning it look professionally painted, so to speak. Ledger's was more rugged and it added to his performance.

Another thing too; for those of you who followed pre-production of this film carefully will know that Ledger said he'd base his performance off of the Joker in The Killing Joke. That was so apparent in the end when Gordon and Batman are looking at Harvey's body and saying "He took the greatest man the city had and made him turn." Immediately I thought of TKJ and said "That came right outta the book!!" If you've read it, you'll remember the reason the Joker did what he did was to prove a point: anyone can have a bad day.

All in all, I loved Heath Ledger's performance and I will miss him dearly. R.I.P. Sir. You were the greatest Joker the world will ever know.

 

[DACrowe]

Well the scene "They took the best of us," reminded me more of the second to last scene in The Long Halloween, but what Joker did to Harvey Dent and what he was out to prove to Batman was straight from The Killing Joke, this is true.

Ledger was simply amazing and is going to go down as one of the absolute finest movie villains of all time.

 

[VenomVsSpidey]

i thought jack nicklson was good as the joker...but heath's joker was THE BEST.funny,scary,terrifying...everything that the joker is...so sad abiut what happened to him,and he cant reprise his role..

 

[StylishHokie21]

yeah he was great. I kinda want to go back through these threads and see just how many people cried foul when he was announced initially. I know plenty of them need to be eating crow right now (Especially for the ignorant "crow" comparisons & Brokeback jokes) Very few people gave this guy a chance at first, I'm just glad to once again know my trust in Nolan wasn't unfounded, the man knows where this whole thing is going, if he wants to finish the deal is a whole other thing entirely, but he also knows how to cast his roles. Now, nobody wants anyone to play the Joker besides Ledger. Hmmm, what a difference a year makes....

Agreed. I was one of those people and I admit I was dead wrong. Heath was amazing and it's really upsetting that he's no longer here to reprise his role or see one of his best performances.

 

[elizaabeth]

It was indeed a very bad-ass scene. Only minor quibble is I'm not sure a pencil would go straight through his skull, especially eraser-side first.

In the novel, the Joker put the pencil on the table point facing up. I know its different but yeah

 

[Batgort]

That was one of the best performances of all time, by which all villians will be judged against in the future.

 

[DoomRulz]

Me too.

I wanted to stand up and cheer, it was so awesome.

Had everyone in the theater gasping...

that scene had the biggest applause at the end of it.

Same. The whole audience in my theatre went "WOW " There was so much cheer and applause after that it was crazy.

 

[Sawyer]

The pencil trick shocked the hell out of me.

It was brutal, violent, and AMAZING.

 

[SPIDERMAN117]

2 years ago he was confirmed to play The Joker and now he aint here. Bummer