Jack Palance's reaction to the Joker's face is so perfect: not just horror, not just disgust, not just shock or confusion, but a pained, contorted mélange of emotions.
Great comment. Really makes you think about what Grissom was thinking in the moment, and how grotesque and baffling Jack's appearance is here to someone who not only thought he was dead, but has no pop-cultural knowledge of "the Joker". In context, Napier basically looks like a badly-painted corpse who's walked out of a funeral home, combined with creepy old-timey harlequins from the circuses of Grissom's youth.
I just realized Grissom speedruns 4 of the 5 stages of Grief all through this scene when he realizes its Jack. He tries to deny he intended to kill Jack, has an angry outburst when denied the ability to grab the gun, tries bargaining, then feels despair when he sees Jack is totally gone in the head and sees what he's become
I remember watching this movie in the theater. The audience loved Jack Nicholson as The Joker. Whenever he made a joke the audience laughed. He nailed the role perfectly. At the end of the movie when it showed Batman standing on a rooftop looking at the Batsymbol in the Sky was classic. Then the credits came and everyone stood up and gave a round of applause. I'll never forget that!
@@jasonwakkure9826 That's great, man. Just read people complained they could barely see it cos it was filmed too dark, which had to be fixed on VHS release.
I am only 34 years old and would watch Batman with my older brother who is 6 years older born in 1980 and we had Batman on vhs among many other movies on vhs growing up in 90s.
@@Daniel-js2dk Awww, baby's first words, how pwecious! I'm Gen X actually, but c'mere, someone needs to have a word with your parents because they shouldn't be letting their toddler use the internet. Now go have a nap and juice box, kid, this film was for grownups.
*5:28** That's why Nicholson is the most accurate Joker in comics. He's so funny and disturbing at the same time, my favorite, even if he's not from my time.*
This one little sequence, of "... oooooooh....... oop..... oop....." and the way he laughs maniacally at the paper, and even just the look on his face. Absolutely a credit to Nicholson in this character.
The Joker is perhaps the best portrayed character in any genre in the history of cinema. Legendary performances by legendary actors - Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, and Jack Nicholson
True, but remember, the likes of Tim Curry, Brad Dourif and Robin Williams were also in line to play him, so it's not like Nicholson was the only option.
@@tysargent9647 I never said he was the only option. I said he was one of the best choices during that time period. Make sure to read before you comment
Nobody, NOBODY plays the Joker better than Nicholson. If you ever saw him in The Shining you knew he'd be the perfect Joker. Imagine its 1988 and you remember him in the role of the Shining and then you hear he's going to play this character must've been a rush. Best ever. Master class in acting.
I feel so lucky that I grew up in the 80s and was able to see this as a kid in the theater that summer, with no internet, no spoilers, no online reviews, no tweets, no UA-cam trailers, or anything. Just word of mouth and maybe a commercial on TV. Moviegoing was so much more awesome back then.
I used to visit my pop I Florida every summer. And he took me an my brother to see this the summer of 89. We also saw Indiana Jones and the last crusade that summer. The summer of 87 we saw The living daylights 007 movie. And Robocop. Still some of my best childhood memories! RIP pop.
@@daustin8888 although all new movies lack something this one has, the comic book feel, this movie is serious but still feels like it was completely taken from a comic book, it's literally a comic book movie while the new ones focus on too much realism
@@daustin8888 Disagree. They all address something different about the character and universe. Begins is the ideologies that guide people, batman v. supes is the spectacle (this one is copium, it was ass, I'll be honest). The Batman is the addressing the character as a whole, both bruce (which the other movies kinda or absolutely fuck up) and batman, a true year one/early career take; yet it also doesn't sacrifice spectacle to do it. They all serve a purpose in reference to each other, I think.
The use of the shadows is just awe inspiring in this scene. Especially how he’s framed in the elevator before we see his face. Add that with Nicholson’s quiet and level voice, it’s such a chilling way to introduce your villain.
Brutal and twisted comedic Joker with a little bit a Burtons touch. Dont know why people hate it. Jack nailed it. At 0:55 he's moaning/crying then bursting to laughter like in Killing Joke
He's still the best Joker for his range of combining all different emotions blending and swirling around which comes out in his laughs and lines. To me as a kid growing up reading the comics, it really was making the comics come to life, as the cinematography and lighting was so perfect and the timeperiod was almost like vintage days but also modern blend. Still just amazing movie.
@@rinateramal2204smh You got whooshed, child. It went way over your head. Let me spell it out for you - YOU can’t be yourself if you play the Joker. 99.99999999….% of humanity can’t be themselves. Every other actor has to try real hard, go to acting school, hire acting coaches, go “method” to become the character. Jack said himself, “the makeup does all the work”. His personality is naturally that of a psycho clown. He is a madman the moment he wakes up in the morning.
Jack Nicholson was the perfect cast for Joker. Everyone knew him from _The Shining_ but in order to be Joker, you have to show an insane amount of dark demeanor. If you watched _The Shining_ you knew Nicholson would be the perfect fit. Watching him transform into the Joker and his evil laugh always gives me chills.
One of the best movies that together with superman the movie, revolutionized the genre of super heroes in the cinema. And this scene introducing the joker, is memorable.
I remember Watching this when i was lil kid with my dad .this my dad favourite movie . rewatching it now The part where joker take off his bandages remind me the joker in the comic where he peel his face off and wear it Again as a mask
A nice touch to this scene was Jack Palance's character visibly shaking. Given the tough characters that he usually plays, seeing his character scared gives an added depth to the Joker.
3:12 I really gotta say the cinematography of this shot is absolutely fantastic!! I love the shadow appearance over his face,makes it a lot more terrifying and suspensfull.
You know, I love Ledger's version of The Joker as much as anyone, but I feel like it was missing the more absurdist, comedic component. He is called The Joker after all. This Joker has it all - the moment before his reveal, he's absolutely terrifying, like something from the Dark Knight - but then the absurdity kicks in, the music starts, it whiplashes into comedy. The way this version of The Joker switches from absolutely terrifying to hilarious and surreal is something that other portrayals didn't do, and somehow Tim Burton made it work.
Very true. Possessing both qualities really is fundamental. I think some get caught up on Joker needing to be as dark and serious and cruel as possible, but that alone misses the point.
@@jonnyg9865 First off, it’s spelled “anarchy.” Secondly, Ledger’s Joker is more of a psychopathic, calculating, intelligent anarchist that captures the aspect of The Joker of what makes him the antithesis of Batman (since overall, he stands for Justice and Order), which is chaos and anarchy. While Nicholson’s Joker is a psychotic, egocentric, ruthless, narcissistic, merciless, sadistic criminal that captures the eccentric theatrical side of The Joker.
@@matthewmira3265 still joker was still always also funny. He always had clever quips and dark humor than never could occur to anyone. Heaths joker lacked this ..
Jack did have the Colt New Service at Axis Chemicals. My grandpa had the same model; just a keepsake as the cylinder on it was seized up solid. I imagine he got it somewhere in the Phillipines in WWII.
As great as Heath Ledger was, Jack Nickelson is one of a kind and also plays a certain personality of the Joker that is absolutely iconic for us Gen-X'ers especially. Also, Tim Burton is an absolute genius in capturing the darker, grittier elements that was the Batman comic up to that point, arguably more so than even the contemporary Batman movies.
The birth of Joker in this movie has a "frankenstein monster" to it, the way it moves, etc. Heath Ledger's performance is trully oscar worthy but this will always be my joker.
His initial transition in to Joker in this movie, was...... wow, I just can't imagine it being done better. Nicholson nails the impression of having his mind shattered.
I think jack is the best joker because it captures the comic book feel but also has a more sadistic and psychopathic feel, not to mention he has iconic witty jokes, and also he is absolutely terrifying to look at
Ironically, Joker may have done more to reduce crime in Gotham than Batman in this film. While Batman killed the Joker and some minor goons, the Joker killed corrupt policeman Eckhardt, mafia boss Grissom, plus 2 other powerful gangsters (one with a joybuzzer and one with a feather pen). He even killed his own main goon, Bob. Poor guy was probably looking forward to trashing more museums with the Joker and the boombox goon. 😂
That’s the paradox between the two. Even in the dark knight and Batman rise of the phantasm the joker kills of most of the mob and corrupt politicians/police.
So true, but Joker is also doing that to consolidate power. Have to get rid of the others first. Its also something which happens often in history, and will happen again in the future.
3:51 I was kind of expecting him to shoot one between the the legs, not at him, I mean literally duck down put the gun between his legs and then shoot at him that way.
Still can't believe both this movie and Batman Returns are in the same continuity as Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. When Schumacher took over you could really feel the tonal change.
It's not just the characters and the music but the sets that really make this movie great. It really looks like a comic book come to life. You don't get that use of color and dramatic imagery in the newer films, even though the Nolan trilogy is excellent. Look at the set at 5:10. The Joker sitting at his old boss's desk by the moonlight with green hair and bleached skin. That's perfect.
5:18--Joker reads the headline accusing Batman of the very thing that the Joker himself does by trade, then says, "Wait 'til they get a load o' _me..._ "
I love how they keep Joker totally obscured in the shadows right up to the big reveal in order to keep the viewers guessing what he looks like. This is how you properly introduce a villain when they've been transformed and look different in order to surprise the viewer. Nowadays when movies get digitally restored they brighten everything so that you can see everything when you're not meant to until a certain point. I looked at the 30th anniversary edition of this movie and you could see Jokers face clearly in the dark. That spoils the surprise.
I think the thing I appreciate the most about Jack Nicholson’s Joker is how he managed to be just as terrifying as the rest without losing the over the top and humorous side of the character. A lot of more modern versions lean a lot more on the kind of unstable anarchist part of Joker but tend to forget he’s also this bizarre clown who would do some absolutely crazy stuff like use giant balloons to make people laugh themselves into a coma or something like that.
1:07 the instrument on the extreme left covered in blood is called forceps and is used in pairs for delivery of baby in instruction or difficult delivery. Don't know what do they used here for.
4 years old when I was watching Batman and 7 years old when watching Batman Returns at the cinema. Then bought it on VHS, DVD and later on a Blu-Ray with Pioneer Kuro plasma and Yamaha reciever... Reliving my chilhood with those two movies every now and then. A masterpieces...
![Joker talking to Gotham Mafia | Batman [4k, 30th Anniversary Edition]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n0H5Gy5yNb0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Joker talking to Gotham Mafia | Batman [4k, 30th Anniversary Edition]](/img/tr.png)
“Jack? Jack is dead my friend. You can call me Joker. And as you can see. I’m a lot happier.”
Love this movie.
Why didn't he say "have you ever danced with the devil". Lame
who doesn't ?
3:30-3:40 me too.
grkpektis He’s not consistent with it. Bruce was the only one shown to receive the message with a gun pointed at him.
John Smith when, Jack Napier killed Bruce’s parents, instead of Joe chill.
Every line from Nicholson is quotable, even his laugh.
100% class, timelessness, legend.
Facts
Me and your comment just got married because I love it
Wait til they get a load of me 😏 OoOOhhHhhopPP ooop 😂
Slow down there with all that beta.
Slow down there with all that beta.
His laughter when he turns into The Joker after looking in the mirror sends chills down my spine every single time.
I think he's more fiendish sounding when killing Boss Grissom...
BenjaminGessel 3:43-3:47 me too.
0:59-1:03 me too. Except, he doesn’t pay 💰 a bill for his plastic surgeon.
@@nathancruz9172 3:52... 😈😈😈😈😈
Full beast mode... 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
awesome acting!!
Jack Palance's reaction to the Joker's face is so perfect: not just horror, not just disgust, not just shock or confusion, but a pained, contorted mélange of emotions.
He knew Jack Napier was not dead.
@@hectorlopez1069nope... he became something worse
Wow. The boss’s actor is Jack Palance, Joker’s original name is Jack and he’s played by Jack Nicholson. Everybody’s Jack.
Great comment. Really makes you think about what Grissom was thinking in the moment, and how grotesque and baffling Jack's appearance is here to someone who not only thought he was dead, but has no pop-cultural knowledge of "the Joker". In context, Napier basically looks like a badly-painted corpse who's walked out of a funeral home, combined with creepy old-timey harlequins from the circuses of Grissom's youth.
I just realized Grissom speedruns 4 of the 5 stages of Grief all through this scene when he realizes its Jack. He tries to deny he intended to kill Jack, has an angry outburst when denied the ability to grab the gun, tries bargaining, then feels despair when he sees Jack is totally gone in the head and sees what he's become
He’s funny, menacing, scary and the laugh is on point.
STANDO POWAH!
Of all the Jokers Jack Nicholson definitely had the best laugh
“WINGED FREAK TERRORIZES GOTHAM’S GANGLAND”.
All work & no play make Jack a dull boy
The scene in the doctors office scared me so much as a kid.
0:37 same here.
The only thing that scared me is him laughing up the stares idek why..
Thats what i was thinking, ya me too!
Me too
Sacres me to this day
I remember watching this movie in the theater. The audience loved Jack Nicholson as The Joker. Whenever he made a joke the audience laughed. He nailed the role perfectly. At the end of the movie when it showed Batman standing on a rooftop looking at the Batsymbol in the Sky was classic. Then the credits came and everyone stood up and gave a round of applause. I'll never forget that!
Can I ask you something: I read that the movie was too dark to see in the movies, was that true or was it fine?
@@Adamdow95 oh no the film was perfect. The lighting was just right. You could tell exactly what was going on. At least that's the way it was for me.
@@jasonwakkure9826 That's great, man. Just read people complained they could barely see it cos it was filmed too dark, which had to be fixed on VHS release.
I’m curious did the people at the theater burst out laughing during the museum vandalized scene?
Lucky man I was born in 2002 so I got to watch it on dvd with my dad 😭
This was so much scarier on VHS when you couldn't really see Jack's face in the shadows before he stepped into the light. Only 80s kids know.
I am only 34 years old and would watch Batman with my older brother who is 6 years older born in 1980 and we had Batman on vhs among many other movies on vhs growing up in 90s.
Funny you should say that lol The first time I actually got to see this movie was on VHS, and that was in 2007.
Ok boomer
@@Daniel-js2dk Awww, baby's first words, how pwecious! I'm Gen X actually, but c'mere, someone needs to have a word with your parents because they shouldn't be letting their toddler use the internet. Now go have a nap and juice box, kid, this film was for grownups.
@@dars5229 ok boomer
Finally a movie with a gun that actually runs out of ammo after 6 shots.
4:09 agreed!
YUP..I DID COUNT THEM TOO..👌👌
Have you seen Steven Seagal movies?
Seagal kills like 80 goons with a pistol with 6 bullets.
No looks closely.it still has 23 round remaining..
No kidding. Even the recent Joker movie had a 6-shooter fire 8 shots (the Subway scene).
*5:28** That's why Nicholson is the most accurate Joker in comics. He's so funny and disturbing at the same time, my favorite, even if he's not from my time.*
This one little sequence, of "... oooooooh....... oop..... oop....." and the way he laughs maniacally at the paper, and even just the look on his face. Absolutely a credit to Nicholson in this character.
@@datriaxsondor590What was with the oooooh ooop ooop thing Joker did anyway?
@@sarnow76think he was mimicking an owl.
All work & no play make Jack a dull boy
The Joker is perhaps the best portrayed character in any genre in the history of cinema. Legendary performances by legendary actors - Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, and Jack Nicholson
don't forget Mark Hamill
.......Jared Leto anyone! S/ 😛
Don’t forget Cesar Romero
@@Kiiieeechiii the live action Joker that started it all
@@eugenemonnet822 NO;
Jack Nicholson was excellent as the Joker and arguably one of the best choices during that time period to play him.
True, but remember, the likes of Tim Curry, Brad Dourif and Robin Williams were also in line to play him, so it's not like Nicholson was the only option.
@@tysargent9647 I never said he was the only option. I said he was one of the best choices during that time period. Make sure to read before you comment
@@WinningProduction420 I agree. Just saying, don't count out the likes of Robin Williams. Sure his Joker would've been quite the goofball.
Yeah it is true, he is more clown than any other live action joker, wish they add Harley in jester suit in this movie
@@castiel4043 Harley Quinn didn't exist in 1989.
Gotta admit... Tim Burton did fantastic with this movie!
3:48 agreed.
And with the second film as well
@@MikeD0307-i1h Not so much, the penguin part was to campy.
Jack Palance didn't seem to think so while filming. Burton later recalled a terrifying moment where he was told off by the veteran superstar.
SalemGhassanHanna you mean Jack Nicholson, right?
Nobody, NOBODY plays the Joker better than Nicholson. If you ever saw him in The Shining you knew he'd be the perfect Joker. Imagine its 1988 and you remember him in the role of the Shining and then you hear he's going to play this character must've been a rush. Best ever. Master class in acting.
I have so much respect for Jack Nicholson, that I just call him "Jokerman."
Dont forget his role in One who flew over the Cuckoos Nest
You're entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix and Jared Leto were the best Jokers.
@@berengerdietiker22 you’re entitled to your opinion, but that’s what makes you a clown 🤡
@@berengerdietiker22 Jared Letos’ Has no qualities of the joker. Nicholson played Joker much more better.
I feel so lucky that I grew up in the 80s and was able to see this as a kid in the theater that summer, with no internet, no spoilers, no online reviews, no tweets, no UA-cam trailers, or anything. Just word of mouth and maybe a commercial on TV. Moviegoing was so much more awesome back then.
I used to visit my pop I Florida every summer. And he took me an my brother to see this the summer of 89. We also saw Indiana Jones and the last crusade that summer. The summer of 87 we saw The living daylights 007 movie. And Robocop. Still some of my best childhood memories! RIP pop.
@@jillconner5062robocop is too cruel for kids
i was so hyped for the Batman themed Mcdonalds happy meals
@@YY-zw2ec”CAN YOU FLY BOBBY?!”
You're mad.
Nicholson had the _perfect_ eyebrows for the role.
Laugh, smile, and personality as well. He is legit the funniest joker of all time.
Probably got them from his sister, er, I mean, Mother.
Yeah. He has the manic eyebrows required for Joker.
Not to mention smile.. to this day when I see a Jack Nicholson film, all I can see is that smile. What a legend.
No matter how many Batman movies they make, none will ever recapture the vibe of this one.
That is very true.
You were seeing a Batman that was truly dark for the first time.
And ever since then they all feel derivative in one form or another.
@@daustin8888 although all new movies lack something this one has, the comic book feel, this movie is serious but still feels like it was completely taken from a comic book, it's literally a comic book movie while the new ones focus on too much realism
I agree@@JoaoPedro-ol7sl
@@daustin8888 Disagree. They all address something different about the character and universe. Begins is the ideologies that guide people, batman v. supes is the spectacle (this one is copium, it was ass, I'll be honest). The Batman is the addressing the character as a whole, both bruce (which the other movies kinda or absolutely fuck up) and batman, a true year one/early career take; yet it also doesn't sacrifice spectacle to do it. They all serve a purpose in reference to each other, I think.
At least old joker let the surgeon live “you see what I have to work with”
Maybe because the surgeon helped him to be "born", he gave him his life out of insane gratitude?
Maybe he killed the surgeon later.
He said at the parade when he was going to unleashed the deadly gas: .
Steve Martin's Little Shop of Horrors dental tools!
@@weirdiethestrangeartist795 used to say doesn’t mean he’s dead. It just means he’s no longer part of the Joker’s life
Actually. The surgeon fled to Mexico where he killed Amado Carillio Fuentes in a botched operation. Again he blamed the "Tools"
The use of the shadows is just awe inspiring in this scene. Especially how he’s framed in the elevator before we see his face. Add that with Nicholson’s quiet and level voice, it’s such a chilling way to introduce your villain.
Brutal and twisted comedic Joker with a little bit a Burtons touch. Dont know why people hate it. Jack nailed it. At 0:55 he's moaning/crying then bursting to laughter like in Killing Joke
People hate everything
He's still the best Joker for his range of combining all different emotions blending and swirling around which comes out in his laughs and lines. To me as a kid growing up reading the comics, it really was making the comics come to life, as the cinematography and lighting was so perfect and the timeperiod was almost like vintage days but also modern blend.
Still just amazing movie.
Who hates it?
All work & no play make Jack a dull boy
He was the best joker. He didn't have to try, he was just being himself.
He shouldn't be himself he is supposed to be joker
@@rinateramal2204lots of jokers everywhere
Clowns 🤡 to the left of me
I'd say Nicholson and Cesar Romero. To hell with mopey, victimized Joker.
@@rinateramal2204smh
You got whooshed, child. It went way over your head.
Let me spell it out for you - YOU can’t be yourself if you play the Joker. 99.99999999….% of humanity can’t be themselves.
Every other actor has to try real hard, go to acting school, hire acting coaches, go “method” to become the character.
Jack said himself, “the makeup does all the work”. His personality is naturally that of a psycho clown. He is a madman the moment he wakes up in the morning.
3:35 This moment was just right. The reveal is still amazing, and horrific all at the same time.
“Wait till they get a load of me… ooop ooopp” he is and always will be one of the greatest actors who have ever lived! ❤
😂 I love that part
Did you see him in The Pledge? Incredible.
@@PeterBrown-mz4nv Yes I did. Great movie
Jack Nicholson was the perfect cast for Joker. Everyone knew him from _The Shining_ but in order to be Joker, you have to show an insane amount of dark demeanor. If you watched _The Shining_ you knew Nicholson would be the perfect fit. Watching him transform into the Joker and his evil laugh always gives me chills.
“It’s me Sugar Bums” that line take me out every time 😂😂😂
Bumps
"You set me up over a woman. A WOMAN!!!"
"You must be insane, heheheheheheh..."
“Jack.......listen.....maybe we can cut a deal?”
@@MCL003 Jack? Jack is dead my friend, you can call me Joker. And as you can see I’m a lot happier
@@rarefootagehunter8214 *confused horrified face*
2:44 < add this timestamp please.
This is almost like a tribute to Scarface, kills his boss, takes his girl, takes over his gang.
And both end up dying because of greed and their ego.
Toootally had those vibes. “We’ll make them pay. In spades.” The desperate pleading.
You should check out scarface 1932 with actor Paul muni ..if you haven't already ! You won't be disappointed 😉
@@youknowthemroundcirclethin9036 oh I saw that one and it’s actually better than 1983 version.
@@charles1203 I thought so but Pacino is world class ... He was inspired by muni .. and it's got great cast Karloff , raft ...💯
One of the best movies that together with superman the movie, revolutionized the genre of super heroes in the cinema. And this scene introducing the joker, is memorable.
THIS IS NOT SUPERHERO SHIT
I love how horror and noir influence blast through these scenes, with atmosphere, lighting, framing, set design. Everything just works
I absolutely love movies with production design like this. No attempt to be a perfect mirror of real life, just nothing but fun and creativity
Always loved how dark and creepy this scene is
It's very liberating. You should think of it as, uhh ... therapy, hehe!
@@s-sentialbizness7283 what is CRAZY about it is, it IS!!!!!
Tim Burton, man.
"Have you danced with the devil under a pale moonlight?"
I remember Watching this when i was lil kid with my dad .this my dad favourite movie . rewatching it now The part where joker take off his bandages remind me the joker in the comic where he peel his face off and wear it Again as a mask
I'm sorry, no disrespect to Heath Ledger, but Nicholson OWNS this role.
Jack & Joaquin are my top two
@@Kiiieeechiii and Mark Hamill's voice lol
@@bensisko4651 yeah but I meant live action
@@Kiiieeechiii live action yes, definitely those 2👍🏽
Same here
A nice touch to this scene was Jack Palance's character visibly shaking. Given the tough characters that he usually plays, seeing his character scared gives an added depth to the Joker.
3:12 I really gotta say the cinematography of this shot is absolutely fantastic!! I love the shadow appearance over his face,makes it a lot more terrifying and suspensfull.
@@DeityLink69 just noticed that myself. Looks creepy af!
Even the most feared villain is terrified of the Joker
@@SamuelBlack84 Quote from the comics: "When villains want to scare each other, they tell Joker stories."
RIP Jack Palance (February 18, 1919 - November 10, 2006), aged 87
You will be remembered as a legend.
I remember him as that guy from Tango and Cash....
@@grzegozsliz5371 Tango and Cash,Cash and Tango these two Cops are driving me crazy! Oohhhh God how many Millions!
He was with chevy chase in cops and Robertsons.
Shane
Jack is dead, my friend.
One of Jack Nicholson‘s best performances
He was fantastic in The Pledge.
You know, I love Ledger's version of The Joker as much as anyone, but I feel like it was missing the more absurdist, comedic component. He is called The Joker after all. This Joker has it all - the moment before his reveal, he's absolutely terrifying, like something from the Dark Knight - but then the absurdity kicks in, the music starts, it whiplashes into comedy.
The way this version of The Joker switches from absolutely terrifying to hilarious and surreal is something that other portrayals didn't do, and somehow Tim Burton made it work.
Some animated versions do too
While a commendable performance, Heath Ledger's Joker more resembles the character Anarky than he does Joker. Jack and Tim Burton nailed it.
Very true. Possessing both qualities really is fundamental. I think some get caught up on Joker needing to be as dark and serious and cruel as possible, but that alone misses the point.
@@jonnyg9865 First off, it’s spelled “anarchy.” Secondly, Ledger’s Joker is more of a psychopathic, calculating, intelligent anarchist that captures the aspect of The Joker of what makes him the antithesis of Batman (since overall, he stands for Justice and Order), which is chaos and anarchy. While Nicholson’s Joker is a psychotic, egocentric, ruthless, narcissistic, merciless, sadistic criminal that captures the eccentric theatrical side of The Joker.
@@matthewmira3265 still joker was still always also funny. He always had clever quips and dark humor than never could occur to anyone. Heaths joker lacked this ..
Jack took the material... and raised it 10 fold! Can we agree we wouldnt have heath without jack
Heath?
Or Joaquin
@@AshrafAnam from Dark Knight , Heath Ledger
I don't think that point is honestly debatable.
Or Joaquin.
He captured The Joker’s personality the best.
At least Jack let his old boss finish his drink before comically shooting him 😂
Oh yeah and got to chance to wash himself before death.
3:21 Jack Nicholson after he fried his boss...1989 Batman
He owned that role, so hard! With the exception of Mark Hamil’s animated versions, there’s no one that holds a candle.
huh small detail but Jokers gun is actually a legit 6 shooter, 6 bullets then hes out
You're right; it's a Colt New Service.
It's a Smith and Wesson and you have had your 6. RIP Sean Connery
Jack did have the Colt New Service at Axis Chemicals. My grandpa had the same model; just a keepsake as the cylinder on it was seized up solid. I imagine he got it somewhere in the Phillipines in WWII.
Yeah that was nice to see.
@@13thvarebel16 it's a sturdy gun
As great as Heath Ledger was, Jack Nickelson is one of a kind and also plays a certain personality of the Joker that is absolutely iconic for us Gen-X'ers especially. Also, Tim Burton is an absolute genius in capturing the darker, grittier elements that was the Batman comic up to that point, arguably more so than even the contemporary Batman movies.
4:58 In town to investigative reports of a man dressed like a bat, and this should've been her first clue
Im not sure why, but the doctor's reaction to Joker smashing the mirror when he says "you see what I have to work with here." always makes me laugh 😂
As long as he's smashing that mirror and not my face I'd say 'hey, go apeshit'
"Wait till they get a load of me..."
That line will never fail to be iconic.
dont forgtot the aprt where he goes "oop" "ooop"
Boooooop
Boooooooooop
😁🤡
3:41
*Over 30 years later and still my favorite Joker*
3:40
Heath ledger is way better
heath ledger is very overrated
ale ortega no he’s not he was the best joker
Death by LOL
Yes, he was overrated, BUT IN MY OPINION and in my opinion the best joker is Jack Nicholson
What a classic! The casting was perfect. I think Jack Palance was one of the few actors who could make Jack Nicholson look like a “kid”.
The birth of Joker in this movie has a "frankenstein monster" to it, the way it moves, etc. Heath Ledger's performance is trully oscar worthy but this will always be my joker.
"Wait'll they get a load of me."
Best line ever!
🙂🙃🙂
"Jack is dead, my friend. You can call me, Joker. And as you can see, I'm a lot happier. Heh! Heh! Heh! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
🔫
"Ahhh, what a day!"
Jack Nicholson playing someone named Jack
@@danielhigginbottom1786 Not the first time. He also played Jack in The Shining.
@@s-sentialbizness7283 I never saw that movie
3:47 CLOWN!!!
Best Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime.
Happy Birthday to Jack Nicholson.
I dunno about that
scott gimple he is
@@Kiiieeechiii ok. But thats no the genreal consensus
The laughing Man nope Heath Ledger.
Eugenio Rodríguez Heath Ledger is.
01:15 - All it takes, is one bad day......
And a shitload of mental illnesses.
2:54 he knew it was all over
Happy Birthday Jack Nicholson
Yes he was a great golfer
joe bidn
“Ah what a day” always gets me 😂😂
That was ad-lip line it's no in the orginal script.
Never rub another man's rhubarb.
🤣
Hahahahaha
What does that mean ?
@@Dhhtyu4566 if you mess with a powerful man, you'll get bad consequences.
"You set me up over a woman.., a woman...,You must be Insane!"
His initial transition in to Joker in this movie, was...... wow, I just can't imagine it being done better. Nicholson nails the impression of having his mind shattered.
I'll admit that I too laughed out loud when Joker says, "You must be insane." That's pretty funny, coming from him.
Who else is obsessed with that laugh at 3:43.... Nicholson killed his performance.
Palance (like Nicholson, an Oscar winning actor) plays this scene perfectly.
This movie came out in 1989. It should be considered the best comic book movie of all time. The cast was just about perfect.
I was born in the same year the movie came out. 1989.
I think jack is the best joker because it captures the comic book feel but also has a more sadistic and psychopathic feel, not to mention he has iconic witty jokes, and also he is absolutely terrifying to look at
The most accurate Joker, love Heath's performance but he was acting crazy, Jack Nicholson is f*ckin crazy! 😆
Ironically, Joker may have done more to reduce crime in Gotham than Batman in this film. While Batman killed the Joker and some minor goons, the Joker killed corrupt policeman Eckhardt, mafia boss Grissom, plus 2 other powerful gangsters (one with a joybuzzer and one with a feather pen). He even killed his own main goon, Bob. Poor guy was probably looking forward to trashing more museums with the Joker and the boombox goon. 😂
That’s the paradox between the two. Even in the dark knight and Batman rise of the phantasm the joker kills of most of the mob and corrupt politicians/police.
So true, but Joker is also doing that to consolidate power. Have to get rid of the others first. Its also something which happens often in history, and will happen again in the future.
Then proceeded trying to gas the whole city with deadly laughing gas, but we'll sweep that under the rug
Napier really was running things even when Grissom was in charge
and Batman would have still had a major threat on his hands had Jack not become Joker. He was extremely intelligent as Jack alone and very bad news.
3:51
I was kind of expecting him to shoot one between the the legs, not at him, I mean literally duck down put the gun between his legs and then shoot at him that way.
I remember him actually doing that like bending down shooting back.
Weird maybe that was shown in a different version
2:48 A WOMAN!!
The ooop bit is all Jack. Superb.
Nicholson stole the show in this movie. He was by far the best character!
This movie is an absolute classic. One of the best of all time. And one of the few times Batman was properly casted along with Affleck and Kilmer.
And Christian Bale
@@nickloschen2717 No
@@nickloschen2717 He sounded like he was doing a bad impression of Batman
@@MrWolfchamp-xi3cu What about Adam West? Great campy version of Batman.
@@night-seeker666 no. He's probably the worst Batman to me.
My mother audibly shuddered when Nicholson made those "boop, boop" noises. That was truly the biggest, "Jack's gone bye-bye" moment in the movie.
Still can't believe both this movie and Batman Returns are in the same continuity as Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. When Schumacher took over you could really feel the tonal change.
Well the current batman 89 comics (And the upcoming flash film ) retcon this thing .Now both Schumacher flicks take place in another universe
"You see what I have to work with here..."
Cuts to torture-looking-devices 😂
It's not just the characters and the music but the sets that really make this movie great. It really looks like a comic book come to life.
You don't get that use of color and dramatic imagery in the newer films, even though the Nolan trilogy is excellent.
Look at the set at 5:10. The Joker sitting at his old boss's desk by the moonlight with green hair and bleached skin. That's perfect.
One nice little touch of realism I like about this scene is that Joker shoots exactly 6 rounds from his revolver before the hammer clicks on empty.
Carl Grissom is the Carmine Falcone of this universe
Whoever Did Jack's Joker Makeup Kicked Ass at Doing it
5:18--Joker reads the headline accusing Batman of the very thing that the Joker himself does by trade, then says, "Wait 'til they get a load o' _me..._ "
"Can somebody tell me what kind of a world we live in where a man dressed up as a bat gets all of my press??"
I love how they keep Joker totally obscured in the shadows right up to the big reveal in order to keep the viewers guessing what he looks like. This is how you properly introduce a villain when they've been transformed and look different in order to surprise the viewer. Nowadays when movies get digitally restored they brighten everything so that you can see everything when you're not meant to until a certain point. I looked at the 30th anniversary edition of this movie and you could see Jokers face clearly in the dark. That spoils the surprise.
As much as I loved both Heath and Joaquin's performances, Jack Nicholson's Joker was the most nostalgic, iconic and more relevant to the comics.
Happy Birthday Jack Nicholson
83 Years for Jack Nicholson
Wow, he was 53 when this came out.
@@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO. yes he was already 52 being born in 1937 and will turn 84 April 22nd this year.
The greatest Joker of all time
Every Joker actor since 1989 must bow and confess that Jack IS the Joker
Heeeeere’s JOKER!!!
4:04 aah what a day xD
3:04 One of the most nightmarish shots of joker ever, he’s hidden in darkness but you can just about barely see his face.
and that ominous elevator opening, lol. Just awesome
1:00 when the coke kicks in
Hahaha, great one
Jack Nicholson must’ve had a lot of fun shooting this scene
"Wait'll they get a load of me." One of the greatest lines in film history. Spoken by one of the greatest actors in film history...
I think the thing I appreciate the most about Jack Nicholson’s Joker is how he managed to be just as terrifying as the rest without losing the over the top and humorous side of the character. A lot of more modern versions lean a lot more on the kind of unstable anarchist part of Joker but tend to forget he’s also this bizarre clown who would do some absolutely crazy stuff like use giant balloons to make people laugh themselves into a coma or something like that.
Still the greatest moment in movie history
1:07 the instrument on the extreme left covered in blood is called forceps and is used in pairs for delivery of baby in instruction or difficult delivery. Don't know what do they used here for.
I guess the doctor had to use whatever was available, even it was not the most appropiate.
In my opinion no one could done better job than Jack Nicholson
what about heath ledger
@@carsonsmovieworld3356 he was alright
@@kirslynnprice70How Was Heath Alright Unlike Jack’s Joker?
4 years old when I was watching Batman and 7 years old when watching Batman Returns at the cinema. Then bought it on VHS, DVD and later on a Blu-Ray with Pioneer Kuro plasma and Yamaha reciever... Reliving my chilhood with those two movies every now and then. A masterpieces...
JACK set the Villain tone....this Batman set the standard for followers......"I'm Batman..."
My dad saw this in theaters and said that after Joker said "what a day" the whole theaters was laughing
You know it's bad when the doctor himself is terrified by his work
This scene is memorable.
One of the best scenes ever.
Why people think otherwise
The birth of the Clown Prince of Crime. A complete psychopath that will laugh maniacally while killing you.
A truly haunting backstory.