Batman Begins

A closer look at the story

Marked by a tragic loss in his childhood, billionaire Bruce Wayne spends years travelling the world to understand the nature of crime and to pursue justice. When he finally returns to his home city of Gotham, now gripped by corruption and lawlessness, he realises he cannot change anything by working inside the existing order. Instead he creates a new identity meant to strike fear into the heart of the criminal underworld: Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, who wrote it with David S. Goyer, the 140-minute 2005 film casts Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, alongside Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Gary Oldman, in a dark origin story.