In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and, with the help of trusted butler Alfred (a scene-stealing Michael Caine) unveils his alter-ego: Batman is a masked crusader who will use strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city...

Director Christopher Nolan deliberately exorcises the camp and grand guignol of the previous movies and TV series. This is truly a gritty and brooding exploration of the beginnings of the Dark Knight, a faithful vision of Bob Kane's anti-hero from DC Comics.