Batman Begins Ra's Al Ghul: Immortal

[The Riddler_303]

I've watched Batman Begins a few times recently and it seemed like Ra's had a pretty intimate history with what was previously done. Could he have been immortal? He himself even referenced it.

 

[El Payaso]

He made a tricky question. I doubt Nolan's realistic approach allowed Ra's to be immortal, even the Joker was a face-painter instead of a man whose skin was decolored by chemicals.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I think it's one of those things that Nolan left up to the audience (particularly fanboys)...

There is not alot in the movie which contradicts either beliefs.

 

[Jorriss]

It wasn't that intimate as you put it.

He just described 3 or 4 events the league had been associated with. As the current leader, it makes sense he would understand a good deal of their past even without experiencing it first hand.

 

[Dr Strange]

When you see what Nolan is trying to do with the Batman world i doubt he would clearly say if he was immortal, he leaves it completely up to the watcher, as a huge Ra's Al Ghul fan i believe that he is immortal and it was Liam Neesons Ra's Al Ghul who burned London to the ground and sacked Rome etc.

 

[RakuMon]

In my head, "R'as Al Ghul" is a title that is passed down through the generations (like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in Princess Bride). Whenever the current "Demon's Head" passes, his moniker is bequeathed on the second in command. Therefore, when Watanabe died in the temple, Ducard--being the number two man in the League--naturally took over his rightful place as head of the League of Shadows. His whole reason for selecting and training Bruce was so that Ducard would groom his eventual replacement as well (and this jives with the comics since R'as sees Batman as the rightful heir to his throne). The line that makes me think this is the best explanation is when Ducard tells Bruce that he's burning down the Manor as retribution: "You burned down my house and left me to die." In other words, while Bruce might have saved Ducard's life, he left "R'as Al Ghul" to die. Ducard speaks in the first person in that scene because he has assumed the mantle of the Demon's Head.

Now, I'm not saying my interpretation is the right one, but it's the best one that works for me and explains how "R'as Al Ghul" can be "immortal" in the Nolanverse.

 

[Bathead]

That works for me! Nicely thought out. The "left me for dead" line makes a little more sense that way.

 

[Team Andino]

I like that its left open and can be looked at for either side. For me personally I imagine Liam Neeson loading a trade ship with rats and helping start the fire that burned London to the ground. I Imagine he had talks with Napoleon and has seen humanity at its best and worst only to meet his end at the hands of Batman. Although you can also argue that "Ra's Al Ghul" is nothing more then a figure head for the organization which fits better for general movie goers and some fans but for me personally I look at it as hes been around since the before the start if the Legue of Shadows. I think another thing that helps me get that image is I see a great actor in Liam Neeson actually at these locations in time in my head and its easier to invision it. If it was another actor or someone else not as impressive then it might not work or fit.

 

[Gexmeister]

In my head, "R'as Al Ghul" is a title that is passed down through the generations (like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in Princess Bride). Whenever the current "Demon's Head" passes, his moniker is bequeathed on the second in command. Therefore, when Watanabe died in the temple, Ducard--being the number two man in the League--naturally took over his rightful place as head of the League of Shadows. His whole reason for selecting and training Bruce was so that Ducard would groom his eventual replacement as well (and this jives with the comics since R'as sees Batman as the rightful heir to his throne). The line that makes me think this is the best explanation is when Ducard tells Bruce that he's burning down the Manor as retribution: "You burned down my house and left me to die." In other words, while Bruce might have saved Ducard's life, he left "R'as Al Ghul" to die. Ducard speaks in the first person in that scene because he has assumed the mantle of the Demon's Head.

Now, I'm not saying my interpretation is the right one, but it's the best one that works for me and explains how "R'as Al Ghul" can be "immortal" in the Nolanverse.

This actually makes a lot of sence Nice interpretation.

 

[Ziggyman]

It really doesn't matter if he was immortal or not...He served his importance in the film and died...Supposedly...

He is only immortal if he comes back in a third which won't happen...

 

[beyond_death]

In my head, "R'as Al Ghul" is a title that is passed down through the generations (like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in Princess Bride). Whenever the current "Demon's Head" passes, his moniker is bequeathed on the second in command. Therefore, when Watanabe died in the temple, Ducard--being the number two man in the League--naturally took over his rightful place as head of the League of Shadows. His whole reason for selecting and training Bruce was so that Ducard would groom his eventual replacement as well (and this jives with the comics since R'as sees Batman as the rightful heir to his throne). The line that makes me think this is the best explanation is when Ducard tells Bruce that he's burning down the Manor as retribution: "You burned down my house and left me to die." In other words, while Bruce might have saved Ducard's life, he left "R'as Al Ghul" to die. Ducard speaks in the first person in that scene because he has assumed the mantle of the Demon's Head.

Now, I'm not saying my interpretation is the right one, but it's the best one that works for me and explains how "R'as Al Ghul" can be "immortal" in the Nolanverse.

Nicely said, thats exactly how I see it.

 

[gqxsensazn]

In my head, "R'as Al Ghul" is a title that is passed down through the generations (like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in Princess Bride). Whenever the current "Demon's Head" passes, his moniker is bequeathed on the second in command. Therefore, when Watanabe died in the temple, Ducard--being the number two man in the League--naturally took over his rightful place as head of the League of Shadows. His whole reason for selecting and training Bruce was so that Ducard would groom his eventual replacement as well (and this jives with the comics since R'as sees Batman as the rightful heir to his throne). The line that makes me think this is the best explanation is when Ducard tells Bruce that he's burning down the Manor as retribution: "You burned down my house and left me to die." In other words, while Bruce might have saved Ducard's life, he left "R'as Al Ghul" to die. Ducard speaks in the first person in that scene because he has assumed the mantle of the Demon's Head.

Now, I'm not saying my interpretation is the right one, but it's the best one that works for me and explains how "R'as Al Ghul" can be "immortal" in the Nolanverse.

I hadn't thought about the title of Ra's Al Ghul being passed down but that's a really good interpretation. I really like that.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

In my head, "R'as Al Ghul" is a title that is passed down through the generations (like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in Princess Bride). Whenever the current "Demon's Head" passes, his moniker is bequeathed on the second in command. Therefore, when Watanabe died in the temple, Ducard--being the number two man in the League--naturally took over his rightful place as head of the League of Shadows. His whole reason for selecting and training Bruce was so that Ducard would groom his eventual replacement as well (and this jives with the comics since R'as sees Batman as the rightful heir to his throne). The line that makes me think this is the best explanation is when Ducard tells Bruce that he's burning down the Manor as retribution: "You burned down my house and left me to die." In other words, while Bruce might have saved Ducard's life, he left "R'as Al Ghul" to die. Ducard speaks in the first person in that scene because he has assumed the mantle of the Demon's Head.

Now, I'm not saying my interpretation is the right one, but it's the best one that works for me and explains how "R'as Al Ghul" can be "immortal" in the Nolanverse.

That's also what I thought they were going for with this.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

I gotta disagree. I thought it was pretty obvious that Watanabe was never Ra's; he was a decoy.

At Bruce's party, Ra's says "Surely a man who spends his nights scrambling across the rooftops of Gotham wouldn't begrudge me duel identities."

What else would he be referring to? He was always Ra's; Ducard was a false identity. A "cheap parlor trick to conceal your true identity," as Bruce said.

 

[the_scream]

I gotta disagree. I thought it was pretty obvious that Watanabe was never Ra's; he was a decoy.

At Bruce's party, Ra's says "Surely a man who spends his nights scrambling across the rooftops of Gotham wouldn't begrudge me duel identities."

What else would he be referring to? He was always Ra's; Ducard was a false identity. A "cheap parlor trick to conceal your true identity," as Bruce said.

Correct. However, the other explanations are interesting food for thought.

 

[Crook]

Perhaps, but it'd be incorrect. It's stated plain as day that Liam was Ra's all along. Not to mention the leaked script says in capitalized letters during the scene:

Ducard (THE REAL RA'S AL GHUL) smiles in acknowledgment.

I mean, c'mon folks.

 

[itsthebatman]

Perhaps, but it'd be incorrect. It's stated plain as day that Liam was Ra's all along. Not to mention the leaked script says in capitalized letters during the scene:


I mean, c'mon folks.

The way it says in the TDK script that Harvey is dead?

 

[scatterax]

so I've always wondered, if liam was ras, who was that asian dude in the beginning? ubu???

 

[scatterax]

The way it says in the TDK script that Harvey is dead?

u know 2face is dead, ryt?

 

[El Payaso]

The way it says in the TDK script that Harvey is dead?

Exactly.

 

[Bathead]

u know 2face is dead, ryt?

All I've ever heard anyone involved in the movie say is Harvey Dent is dead. It's still possible (IMO)Two-Face is still alive.

 

[Crook]

The way it says in the TDK script that Harvey is dead?

Absolutely. Eckhart confirmed his death already so it's moot to argue about it. Ditto for this Ra's situation, which is even more clear as day.

 

[itsthebatman]

Absolutely. Eckhart confirmed his death already so it's moot to argue about it. Ditto for this Ra's situation, which is even more clear as day.

I totally agree. Both scripts are very clear about these particular points. No point going back over them.

 

[scatterax]

okay. so who was the ras in the biginning? was he just made up as a decoy for the film, or was he ubu, or some1 like him?

 

[Terror Inc.]

Though they never mention the name, I always thought Watanabe was Ubu, and after he died, the guy from bruces party became the next one. If I remember right doesnt the personal servant to Ra's, whoever he is, get the tag Ubu?