A Religious Review of Batman:The Dark Knight Rises
Aug 6, 2012 18:15:24 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 6, 2012 18:15:24 GMT -5
A Religious Review of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises
Posted: August 6, 2012
SPOILER ALERT!!!
This review is chock full of spoilers…if you have not seen the movie…cease and desist reading immediately. Go see the movie and then come back and check this out.
SPOLER ALERT!!!
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Ok, so I trust that anybody who has not seen the movie has been sufficiently warned and if they spoil the movie for themselves, I feel no remorse on their behalf because they will have done this to themselves. I have waited for over two weeks to do this review and have disappointed to find very little in the form of deep analysis and understanding of the amazing themes Christopher Nolan (the director) brings to light, and the innovative way in which he does it. Although The Dark Night Rises has grossed over half a billion dollars so far, I don’t think even one in a thousand people truly understand what is really going on in the movie. The fact that Mr. Nolan could so well hide (in plain sight) the true meaning of his movie while creating something so enjoyable regardless of level of understanding is a film achievement of biblical proportions. I hope I am not being too exaggerating when I say this. I honestly think that the central thrust of the movie can be grasped by a child, yet the deeper meaning will challenge the most illumined minds. So without further ado, let’s get right into the review! First I want to review the plot so that the ensuing points will be clearer.
The Plot: Christopher Nolan said himself that he was a bit inspired by Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities. You may not have read that book, but I trust you remember the Batman plot fairly well. Batman has been out of action since the death of Harvey Dent. The ensuing Dent Act has been propagated on a lie (that Dent was a good man) and resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of hundreds of violent and organized criminals. There was peace and hence (to quote Dickens), “It was the best of times.” But that was no solace for Commissioner Gordon – the hapless wartime hero in a time of peace. Perhaps this is because he has a sense that the lie of the Dent Act can’t live forever. Perhaps he sees that “a storm is coming.” There are numerous plot lines that foreshadow this storm. Something strange is going on underground where there is “more work than you can find above ground.” The immediate and apparent cause of the storm is the inequality of wealth (a line borrowed from Dickens and the French Revolution). However, later in the movie, Selina Kyle (Catwoman) discovers that the source of the storm is not to bring equality to the masses but instead masterminded the the devilish Bane. Bane fights and defeats Batman by breaking his back and sending him to “hell on earth.” During Batman’s absence both sides are preparing for war and all out destruction which begins shortly after Bruce Wayne climbs out of the inescapable pit. Once Bane and the real evil mastermind Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter) are defeated there is but little time left to save the city from the nuclear bomb Bane stole from Wayne. In the final act of selflessness, Batman takes the bomb out over the ocean on a one way journey to save the city he so dearly loved. Most rejoice, but there are some who realize the price he paid. They mourn. As Commissioner Gordon points out at Bruce Wayne’s memorial service, what He did by dying was the greatest thing he’d ever done and as a result he would hold a “sanctuary” in their hearts. But that’s not the end of the story, because there are remaining glimmerings of hope. First to Lucius Fox, then to Commissioner Gordon, next to Officer Blake (Robin), and finally to Alfred is revealed the greatest truth of all: Though Batman died, yet he lives in Bruce Wayne (who it appears finally found love and happiness). The End.
The Hidden Points
Batman is, in fact, Jesus.
Those who know Batman’s true identity are symbolic of the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ra’s Al Guhl, Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter), and Bane represent the evil trinity: Satan, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being raised again.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to build up His city.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus’ 2nd Coming and ultimate triumph over evil
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus redeeming and then marrying the church.
At this point, I am prepared for much scoffing and ridicule, however, I will show evidence for all of the stated points. Perhaps some of the evidence is coincidental, but as Commissioner Gordon tells young officer Blake: “You’re a detective now. You’re not allowed to believe in coincidences.”
The reason these hidden points are so difficult to see is twofold. One, they require a solid understanding of the Bible – which most people lack. Two, they are jumbled up and the true story is told out of sequence (much like Nolan’s other movies, especially Memento).
The Hidden Points Explained
1. Batman is, in fact, Jesus: This should be the easiest of all the hidden points to see. There are numerous references and allusions to Christ-likeness. I won’t point them all out but just enough to see that this point is, in fact, undeniable.
Religious words and themes swirl around Batman constantly: The soldier who comes to offer support to the police inside the city challenges Officer Blake, “You don’t really think he’s coming back do you?…Why don’t you put your faith in something a little more real.” At another point Blake talks about not letting children “die without hope.” When Selina Kyle tells Batman to save himself because he has already given them everything, Batman quickly replies, “Not everything, not yet” which is obviously symbolic of giving everything on the cross. People also chide Batman for defending a people so wicked and corrupt as the people of Gotham, yet Batman calls them innocent. This brings to mind the verse: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Also, Bruce Wayne’s care for the orphans is significant, but that will come up again later.
The theme of redemption, death and resurrection are prominent throughout. The movie is called the Dark Knight Rises for Pete’s sake! Look at how the movie ends.
Just in case there was any doubt, at Bruce Wayne’s memorial service, the following excerpt is directly quoted from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss…I see the lives for which I lay down my life peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy…I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts and in the hearts of their descendants…It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” The man in the Dickens novel is named Carton and he comforts the orphans and the poor with gracious words and the promise of peace and merciful shelter. Carton is heading to a place where there is no time and no trouble. Just before the passage quoted in The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR) Carton quotes Jesus, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” So Nolan links Bruce Wayne to Carton and Charles Dickens links Carton to Jesus…therefore both men are linked as being symbols of Jesus Christ.
2. Those who know Batman’s true identity are symbolic of the disciples of Jesus Christ: Particularly, I am thinking of Officer Blake, Lucius Fox, Alfred, and Commisioner Gordon. I think that they may in fact be symbolic of specific disciples but those links are not quite clear to me if they do in fact exist (with the exception of Alfred, who I will discuss in a moment).
The biggest piece of evidence for this is that they all knew that Batman was Bruce Wayne (before he died) and he revealed to each one of them in various ways that he was still alive after he died. I do not include Selina Kyle in this because she is symbolic of something entirely different and perhaps more important.
A few additional things can be added to Officer Blake in this regard. He knew Batman’s true identity the moment he saw him. He self identified himself as a “believer” in the Batman. Also, before the death and resurrection, Officer Blake was a paragon of the law. He was matchless in his example of courage and commitment to the law. After the resurrection, however, he rejects Commissioner Gordon’s prodding to stay on the Police Force. What once brought stability and order was now seen as “shackles.” This is an advanced theological point that Nolan makes. Christ set us free from the law, not so would could be free to be immoral, but that in our freedom we could serve true justice to a greater extent than we ever could under the shackles of the law. This is right in line with the freedom of the gospel that Christ commissioned the disciples to proclaim. Think Galatians: “It was for freedom sake that Christ set us free.Therefore…do not be entangled again to a yoke of slavery.” Personally, I think this inspiration for Blake was caused by the fact that he realized Bruce Wayne was still alive. That Blake knew this is not explicitly stated in the movie but as Bruce Wayne’s will is being read, he hears about the perpetual home for orphans being established and gives a glowing reaction…for the second time with regard to Bruce Wayne, he just knew.
There is also something particularly special about Alfred. In this movie more than any before he is a foil for Batman. Bruce Wayne is determined to come back and Alfred is determined to do all in his power to stop him. He even tells him the distressing truth of how his old love actually chose Harvey Dent and in doing so ends his relationship with Bruce in order that he might “save his life.” The ensuing rebuke by Wayne and break-up of the friendship has obvious overtones of Jesus rebuking Peter (“Get behind me Satan”) for opposing the death Jesus had to face. He even said that the city needed Batman’s resources, not his body or his life. Interestingly enough, after Peter leaves there is a funny scene where Wayne can’t get into his own house because he didn’t have the keys. This could be a reference to the fact that Alfred always had the keys (like Jesus gave Peter the keys). Also at the end of the movie, Bruce Wayne reveals his resurrected self to Alfred in an act of love to comfort his heart.
3. Ra’s Al Guhl, Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter), and Bane represent the evil trinity: Satan, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet: Some may feel that this link is tenuous, but first examine the evidence and then make up your own mind.
Bane – the false prophet: Numerous references are made about the evil character of Bane. He is “pure evil” and if you “speak of the devil, he shall appear.” He was “born in the darkness” and was “molded by it.” For most of the movie, we are led to believe that he escaped from the pit from the “more ancient part of the world” – the “hell on earth.” He leads a popular uprising of the wicked and the violent so that people may serve “true justice.” He claims to be giving the city back “to the people.” But privately he reveals to Bruce Wayne that that was all a lie because he just wanted to give them false hope to extenuate the carnage, anguish and despair. At the end we see through his lies, and the fact of the matter is that he isn’t even the mastermind of all the evil after all. He is just a puppet of the true evil one…the anti-Christ Talia.
Talia Al Guhl (aka Miranda Tate) had all the appearance of a peace-loving saint at the beginning of the movie. In fact she, like the anti-Christ, appeals to the idea of securing peace for the people while her real goal is their total destruction. However, even she is not acting on her own accord because as she says, “She is just completing the work” of her father.
Ra’s Al Guhl makes only a brief appearance in this movie. His purpose is to add to the temptation and torment that Bruce Wayne is experiencing while in the pit. He returns to lie to Batman in an attempt to persuade him that the world is beyond saving. He is the original mastermind of all the evil and is the father of lies. He is the true Satan.
A NOTE ABOUT POINTS 4,5, AND 6: At this point is should be abundantly clear that TDKR is full of religious themes and symbolism. But the question remains, how vague or specific are these stories? The answer is that they are very specific but they are also very difficult to pick up. The reason being that the story is not told in chronological order. Different scenes represent different times in Jesus life and ministry and the linear progression of the movie of Batman does not coincide with a linear progression of the life of Jesus. Thus the movie is like a puzzle or a mystery that needs to be understood and put together. Anybody familiar with other Christopher Nolan movies will not be surprised by this. From Memento to Inception, Nolan’s movies generally have a significant cerebral enigma to unveil. I would have to watch the movie a bit more to be certain, but in general, it appears to me that events in Gotham city and on the surface ground of the city are symbolic of the 2nd coming of Christ while events underground or outside of the city are representative of the first coming of Christ.
4. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being raised again: Although this is the chronological beginning for Jesus, this part of the movie doesn’t begin until about an hour into it.
When Alfred and Bruce have their falling out, this is symbolic of Christ beginning to be truly alone on his march to the cross. Alfred leaves Bruce because Bruce only sees “one end to the journey.”
The story picks up when Bruce is locked out of his own home further symbolizing the isolation that Jesus would face on his way to the cross. In a perhaps strange sequence of events, Batman sleeps with Miranda Tate. Sex being a symbol of unity this event must then symbolize Batman bearing the burden of evil as the Bible says that Jesus “became sin.” It is very interesting that while with Miranda, Bruce notices a scar on her back. This scar looks extremely similar to the branding mark Bruce was supposed to receive way back in the first movie Batman Begins. Basically, in that first movie, at the moment that Bruce was supposed to demonstrate his “commitment to justice” he rebels. In that scene from the first movie, we see the branding iron that produced the scar on Miranda’s back.
Next, Batman goes into the underworld of the sewer system. He is led by Selina Kyle who represents the world (more on that later). What Selina wants is a clean slate so she sells Batman out to Bain to provide herself protection. Bane absolutely demolishes Batman. When Batman tries to use darkness in the fight, Bane reminds him, “You merely adopted the dark. But I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn’t seen the light until I was a man and by then it was nothing to me but black…The shadows betray you because they belong to me…I will show you where I have made my home while preparing to bring justice, then I will break you.” Bane made his home under Wayne’s armory so as to steal it. Then he says, “I was wondering what would break first. Your spirit, or your body.” He then breaks Batman’s back. I quote this in its entirety because it is important to see what is going on here. Right after Batman becomes one with evil (sleeping with Miranda Tate) he continues his march to the cross. Bane (who at this point is still symbolic of Satan) breaks his body (but not his spirit). This is like the physical scourging of Jesus. Bane/Satan claims dominion and fatherhood over evil and says that Batman/Jesus only adopts it. This is precisely what Christ did by dying and rising again, he adopted us into his family. He took us out of the darkness and made us children of light. Furthermore, while Christ was on the cross, there were three hours of agonizing darkness. I think that this scene also tries to portray that anguish. Selina Kyle, when she sees the true nature of Bane and the revealed identity of Batman becomes greatly afraid and you can see that something is starting to change in her heart. Watching the suffering of Batman/Jesus has planted the seed of redemption.
The next scene in this progression of the cross is when Bruce Wayne wakes up in the pit of “hell on earth.” Bane plans to torture him in hell by making him watch the death of the city he loves. Many of tried to escape from the pit but nobody has ever succeeded (except for the child of Ra’s Al Guhl). The doctor of the pit tells Bruce, “The leap to freedom is not about strength.” Although the body makes the jump, the survival is the spirit. Bruce fears death, of dying in the pit while his city burns with nobody there to save it. Only when Bruce accepts the reality of death (symbolized by cutting the rope) can he rise out of the pit. Consequently, it takes Bruce three attempts to rise out of the pit which may symbolize the 3 days Christ was in the deep. For almost all the rest of the movie, the story of Christ is in the context of the 2nd coming…however there is one more scene that actually appears out of order…that is described next.
We’ve seen the physical suffering of Jesus on the cross (when Bane brutalized Batman). We’ve also seen the time Jesus spent in hell and his resurrection out of the pit (when Batman was in the pit). But we did not see the selfless sacrifice that saves the world, nor did we see the wrath of God. Now, I’ll admit that this point is more speculation than most others, but I think that the nuclear bomb is a good candidate for the wrath of God. It was supposed to explode un the corrupt city but of his own free will, Batman/Jesus takes the punishment. This symbolizes Jesus yielding His spirit to save His people. So with this final scene (totally out of order) we see the completion of the story of the death of Christ on the cross (however, I will say a little more on the resurrection in the next section).
5. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to build up His city: From the first Batman movie, Christopher Nolan has set up the idea that Batman is a symbol. Bruce Wayne reaffirms that point in this movie. The idea of using a symbol is reaffirmed as at one point Bruce Wayne said the point was that anybody could be Batman. In Christianity, Jesus was the firstborn from the dead so that his followers would become like Him. Here is more evidence of the story of the Holy Spirit’s coming in TDKR.
Notice that for the first time ever that the bat symbol is not black in the movie posters. I do mean first time ever. There are two versions of the bat symbol on the movie posters. In one, the symbol is white. And the other it is fire. Both symbolize the Holy Spirit. When people see the bat symbol lit up as fire, their hearts are turned towards Batman and they regain their courage (most notably the Police Lieutenant Foley). This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and comfort.
Even though the symbol was meant to inspire other people, it utterly failed until Batman died. And here is the kicker. Despite the appearance of Bruce Wayne being alive, Batman most certainly died. Now remember earlier that I said those who knew Batman’s identity were the disciples. After Batman’s death it is those disciples that carry on his ministry of Justice. The movie ends with each finding out he is still alive in Bruce Wayne and they carry on his work (like the great commission in the Bible).
Perhaps the best evidence of this though is what Commissioner Gordon reads at Bruce Wayne’s memorial. ”I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts and in the hearts of their descendants…It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” Although quoted from Dickens, this passage is very much like the words of Jesus in the gospel of John. The Christian belief is that God lives in our hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is exactly the point Christopher Nolan is making by inserting these lines. Batman, like the Holy Spirit, is making his home in the hearts of men. It is a far, far better thing that he does this because this is how God builds His army, His body, His church, and His city. In essence, the movie ends with the disciples of Batman going out in the world fulfilling what he started.
6. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus’ 2nd Coming and ultimate triumph over evil: This is perhaps the greatest thrust of the movie. Here is the evidence and sequence.
The movie begins with people remembering the fact that Batman has been gone for a long time and wondering if he will ever come back. Many people have believed the lies about him and even more have stopped believing in him. But there is a small remnant of people who continue to wait for him. They sense that a storm is coming and a storm that only Batman can calm. While Batman has been away the world has gone on to unprecedented peace and prosperity. It was the best of times. But for other people, it was the worst of times. A perennial theme in Batman, the plight of the poor, the orphan, and the downtrodden argues that things cannot continue as they are. This sets up the central conflict of the movie. As Selina Kyle prods Bruce Wayne, “How did you think you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us?”
Ostensibly, this best of times and worst of times idea comes from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. Even the setting of revolution (which looks eerily like Occupy Wall street) is inspired by the setting of the French Revolution in Dickens’ tale. While all revolutions are claimed to be for freedom and justice, this revolution is revealed to be masterminded by the Devil himself for the ultimate destruction of the city and people that Batman/Jesus loves. The message here is clear, the devil uses the pretenses of “true justice”, “power to the people”, and peace to bring about his reign of terror.
As Bane builds his army publicly, Batman builds his privately. Remember how in the prior section I mentioned that the movie ends with the great commission of Jesus disciples going forth to fulfill his mission? Well, we see that fulfillment occurring through the characters of Blake and Gordon who build and train the army (remember that historically the story is jumbled and not told in chronological order). Batman even thanks Blake for “giving me an army” before he sends him out of the city to lead an “exodus.” This is a particularly amusing scene if you understand the things at play. The exodus of orphans (for whom Batman and Jesus both share a special love) occurs after the building of the army chronologically in the movie, but according to the story of Christ, the exodus of salvation for the orphans is the source from which the army is built. Batman says to save as many lives as he can. Notice that none of the disciples (Fox, Blake, Gordon, nor Alfred) is a part of the all out war on Bane? That is because the war is a part of the 2nd coming story line and the disciples are a part of the first coming story line!
Batman comes back to wage an all out war on Bane and his followers. Bane asks him, “Did you come back to die with your city?” To which Batman replies, “No, I came back to stop you.” See, once Christ has died, he will not die again. Now when Batman fights he beats Bane to a pulp. Or course Miranda Tate comes to defend Bane and reveal herself as the daughter of Ra’s Al Guhl. I don’t see much religious symbolism here…just some movie magic to make the story of Batman more entertaining. Ultimately, Talia like Bane, meets her end with a whimper and a false hope of thinking she helped to destroy society. Once Batman climbed out of the pit, his enemies never stood a chance.
In Bane’s final moments he unwittingly reveals why the Devil’s plans failed. ”I broke you. How did you come back?” The Devil could not anticipate the resurrection of Jesus. He thought in sending Jesus to the cross he was getting the ultimate victory and securing the destruction of the world. But He could not understand that Jesus went willingly. Interestingly enough the Bible tells of two people escaping a pit. Jesus was in the deep for 3 days. Satan is bound for 1000 years before his release and ultimate demise. So in describing how Talia and Bruce Wayne both escaped the pit is yet another biblical allusion (or perhaps coincidence).
With the defeat of Bain, Ra’s Al Guhl, and Talia the war is over and Batman wins. However, the action was still tense because Batman had to take the bomb outside of the city but as was shown earlier, that was a part of the storyline of Jesus’ first coming. With the victory over evil, the story of the 2nd coming is over.
7. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus redeeming and then marrying the church: Many of the items discussed have already reinforced this point but there are still a few other items worth mentioning.
In the reading of Bruce Wayne’s will, it is revealed that the contents of the house are left to Alfred. This goes in line with the reasoning that Alfred is symbolic of Peter. It symbolized the redeemed nature of their relationship.
The house and grounds are left to the city of Gotham for one purpose: the housing and care of at risk and orphaned children. When Blake hears this, he begins a slight smile because I think it is then that he realizes Bruce Wayne is alive. It seems like the will was made long before Bruce’s apparent death, but this cannot be because he leaves Blake the coordinates of the Bat Cave which he would only have done recently because they only met recently.
The leaving of the house for the care of the orphans is also important biblically. Jesus said to the world, “I will not leave you as orphans.” Also, in the Bible it states that pure and undefiled religion is to care for the widows and the orphans in their need. Jesus also said to his disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am there you may be also.” Adding these things up, we see that Batman has opened up his house forever to the blessed poor and orphans. It is symbolic of us spending eternity with God in His home of heaven.
As cool as all that is, my favorite part of the will is that the string of pearls (originally belonging to his mother are missing). Only the person with a knowledge of the end of the book of Revelation can really appreciate this last point to the fullest. But before going there, let’s say something about the role that Selina Kyle played. At the beginning of the movie, she was one of the participants who was going to help bring about the “storm.” In this sense she was fully wedded to the world and hence a servant of evil because the evil Bane was really the one behind the scenes calling the shots. However, once Selina saw the true natures of Bane and Batman, something started to change inside of her. Her desire was good. She wanted a clean slate and a fresh start. She was repentant but had no way for a clean start despite her desire. Trying to secure the clean slate on her own ended in failure. When she saw that Batman came back from the pit, she begged him to come with her and save himself. Her love for him is really starting to show, but she still doesn’t quite get it. When she sees that he is wiling to give himself to save the city, her love bursts forth and she is even there to give a helping hand in the ultimate defeat of the devil. After the death, resurrection and second coming of Batman/Jesus she is the most fortunate of all because she gets to be with Batman to the end. The clear implication is that Batman has finally found the woman he can settle down with and have peace and joy and love. Now back to the pearls: in the final chapters of revelation, the church is referenced as being the 12 pearls. When Selina tried to steal the necklace earlier in the movie, Bruce Wayne would not permit her to have it, but after she (representing the redeemed world) demonstrates her love for Batman, then he willingly gives her the necklace. Most people won’t notice this fact. You have to look closely but Selina is in fact wearing the family necklace in the next to last scene. This solidifies her redemption. This is a glimpse of the joy of eternity. Christ has redeemed and and married His church like a Bridegroom with His bride.
Conclusion: There you have it. Undoubtedly, there are more things that could have been listed. Also, I might have been a little overzealous in my searching for symbols and should anything be in error, I apologize for that. Also, there are of course details of the movie that don’t fit so neatly into this framework, that is probably because the sub-story had to be hidden and the surface-story needed to still be coherent. But all in all, I think that the symbols and themes are undeniable.
The brilliance and mastery required to write and produce such a film has, I think, never been paralleled in movie history. People will leave the theater thinking they’ve watched a great action flick (perhaps the best of all time) and very few will know the hero who captured their hearts was none other than Jesus Christ, the Batman.
beliefinamerica.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/a-religious-review-of-batman-the-dark-knight-rises/
Posted: August 6, 2012
SPOILER ALERT!!!
This review is chock full of spoilers…if you have not seen the movie…cease and desist reading immediately. Go see the movie and then come back and check this out.
SPOLER ALERT!!!
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Ok, so I trust that anybody who has not seen the movie has been sufficiently warned and if they spoil the movie for themselves, I feel no remorse on their behalf because they will have done this to themselves. I have waited for over two weeks to do this review and have disappointed to find very little in the form of deep analysis and understanding of the amazing themes Christopher Nolan (the director) brings to light, and the innovative way in which he does it. Although The Dark Night Rises has grossed over half a billion dollars so far, I don’t think even one in a thousand people truly understand what is really going on in the movie. The fact that Mr. Nolan could so well hide (in plain sight) the true meaning of his movie while creating something so enjoyable regardless of level of understanding is a film achievement of biblical proportions. I hope I am not being too exaggerating when I say this. I honestly think that the central thrust of the movie can be grasped by a child, yet the deeper meaning will challenge the most illumined minds. So without further ado, let’s get right into the review! First I want to review the plot so that the ensuing points will be clearer.
The Plot: Christopher Nolan said himself that he was a bit inspired by Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities. You may not have read that book, but I trust you remember the Batman plot fairly well. Batman has been out of action since the death of Harvey Dent. The ensuing Dent Act has been propagated on a lie (that Dent was a good man) and resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of hundreds of violent and organized criminals. There was peace and hence (to quote Dickens), “It was the best of times.” But that was no solace for Commissioner Gordon – the hapless wartime hero in a time of peace. Perhaps this is because he has a sense that the lie of the Dent Act can’t live forever. Perhaps he sees that “a storm is coming.” There are numerous plot lines that foreshadow this storm. Something strange is going on underground where there is “more work than you can find above ground.” The immediate and apparent cause of the storm is the inequality of wealth (a line borrowed from Dickens and the French Revolution). However, later in the movie, Selina Kyle (Catwoman) discovers that the source of the storm is not to bring equality to the masses but instead masterminded the the devilish Bane. Bane fights and defeats Batman by breaking his back and sending him to “hell on earth.” During Batman’s absence both sides are preparing for war and all out destruction which begins shortly after Bruce Wayne climbs out of the inescapable pit. Once Bane and the real evil mastermind Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter) are defeated there is but little time left to save the city from the nuclear bomb Bane stole from Wayne. In the final act of selflessness, Batman takes the bomb out over the ocean on a one way journey to save the city he so dearly loved. Most rejoice, but there are some who realize the price he paid. They mourn. As Commissioner Gordon points out at Bruce Wayne’s memorial service, what He did by dying was the greatest thing he’d ever done and as a result he would hold a “sanctuary” in their hearts. But that’s not the end of the story, because there are remaining glimmerings of hope. First to Lucius Fox, then to Commissioner Gordon, next to Officer Blake (Robin), and finally to Alfred is revealed the greatest truth of all: Though Batman died, yet he lives in Bruce Wayne (who it appears finally found love and happiness). The End.
The Hidden Points
Batman is, in fact, Jesus.
Those who know Batman’s true identity are symbolic of the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ra’s Al Guhl, Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter), and Bane represent the evil trinity: Satan, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being raised again.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to build up His city.
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus’ 2nd Coming and ultimate triumph over evil
The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus redeeming and then marrying the church.
At this point, I am prepared for much scoffing and ridicule, however, I will show evidence for all of the stated points. Perhaps some of the evidence is coincidental, but as Commissioner Gordon tells young officer Blake: “You’re a detective now. You’re not allowed to believe in coincidences.”
The reason these hidden points are so difficult to see is twofold. One, they require a solid understanding of the Bible – which most people lack. Two, they are jumbled up and the true story is told out of sequence (much like Nolan’s other movies, especially Memento).
The Hidden Points Explained
1. Batman is, in fact, Jesus: This should be the easiest of all the hidden points to see. There are numerous references and allusions to Christ-likeness. I won’t point them all out but just enough to see that this point is, in fact, undeniable.
Religious words and themes swirl around Batman constantly: The soldier who comes to offer support to the police inside the city challenges Officer Blake, “You don’t really think he’s coming back do you?…Why don’t you put your faith in something a little more real.” At another point Blake talks about not letting children “die without hope.” When Selina Kyle tells Batman to save himself because he has already given them everything, Batman quickly replies, “Not everything, not yet” which is obviously symbolic of giving everything on the cross. People also chide Batman for defending a people so wicked and corrupt as the people of Gotham, yet Batman calls them innocent. This brings to mind the verse: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Also, Bruce Wayne’s care for the orphans is significant, but that will come up again later.
The theme of redemption, death and resurrection are prominent throughout. The movie is called the Dark Knight Rises for Pete’s sake! Look at how the movie ends.
Just in case there was any doubt, at Bruce Wayne’s memorial service, the following excerpt is directly quoted from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss…I see the lives for which I lay down my life peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy…I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts and in the hearts of their descendants…It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” The man in the Dickens novel is named Carton and he comforts the orphans and the poor with gracious words and the promise of peace and merciful shelter. Carton is heading to a place where there is no time and no trouble. Just before the passage quoted in The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR) Carton quotes Jesus, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” So Nolan links Bruce Wayne to Carton and Charles Dickens links Carton to Jesus…therefore both men are linked as being symbols of Jesus Christ.
2. Those who know Batman’s true identity are symbolic of the disciples of Jesus Christ: Particularly, I am thinking of Officer Blake, Lucius Fox, Alfred, and Commisioner Gordon. I think that they may in fact be symbolic of specific disciples but those links are not quite clear to me if they do in fact exist (with the exception of Alfred, who I will discuss in a moment).
The biggest piece of evidence for this is that they all knew that Batman was Bruce Wayne (before he died) and he revealed to each one of them in various ways that he was still alive after he died. I do not include Selina Kyle in this because she is symbolic of something entirely different and perhaps more important.
A few additional things can be added to Officer Blake in this regard. He knew Batman’s true identity the moment he saw him. He self identified himself as a “believer” in the Batman. Also, before the death and resurrection, Officer Blake was a paragon of the law. He was matchless in his example of courage and commitment to the law. After the resurrection, however, he rejects Commissioner Gordon’s prodding to stay on the Police Force. What once brought stability and order was now seen as “shackles.” This is an advanced theological point that Nolan makes. Christ set us free from the law, not so would could be free to be immoral, but that in our freedom we could serve true justice to a greater extent than we ever could under the shackles of the law. This is right in line with the freedom of the gospel that Christ commissioned the disciples to proclaim. Think Galatians: “It was for freedom sake that Christ set us free.Therefore…do not be entangled again to a yoke of slavery.” Personally, I think this inspiration for Blake was caused by the fact that he realized Bruce Wayne was still alive. That Blake knew this is not explicitly stated in the movie but as Bruce Wayne’s will is being read, he hears about the perpetual home for orphans being established and gives a glowing reaction…for the second time with regard to Bruce Wayne, he just knew.
There is also something particularly special about Alfred. In this movie more than any before he is a foil for Batman. Bruce Wayne is determined to come back and Alfred is determined to do all in his power to stop him. He even tells him the distressing truth of how his old love actually chose Harvey Dent and in doing so ends his relationship with Bruce in order that he might “save his life.” The ensuing rebuke by Wayne and break-up of the friendship has obvious overtones of Jesus rebuking Peter (“Get behind me Satan”) for opposing the death Jesus had to face. He even said that the city needed Batman’s resources, not his body or his life. Interestingly enough, after Peter leaves there is a funny scene where Wayne can’t get into his own house because he didn’t have the keys. This could be a reference to the fact that Alfred always had the keys (like Jesus gave Peter the keys). Also at the end of the movie, Bruce Wayne reveals his resurrected self to Alfred in an act of love to comfort his heart.
3. Ra’s Al Guhl, Talia (Ra’s Al Guhl’s daughter), and Bane represent the evil trinity: Satan, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet: Some may feel that this link is tenuous, but first examine the evidence and then make up your own mind.
Bane – the false prophet: Numerous references are made about the evil character of Bane. He is “pure evil” and if you “speak of the devil, he shall appear.” He was “born in the darkness” and was “molded by it.” For most of the movie, we are led to believe that he escaped from the pit from the “more ancient part of the world” – the “hell on earth.” He leads a popular uprising of the wicked and the violent so that people may serve “true justice.” He claims to be giving the city back “to the people.” But privately he reveals to Bruce Wayne that that was all a lie because he just wanted to give them false hope to extenuate the carnage, anguish and despair. At the end we see through his lies, and the fact of the matter is that he isn’t even the mastermind of all the evil after all. He is just a puppet of the true evil one…the anti-Christ Talia.
Talia Al Guhl (aka Miranda Tate) had all the appearance of a peace-loving saint at the beginning of the movie. In fact she, like the anti-Christ, appeals to the idea of securing peace for the people while her real goal is their total destruction. However, even she is not acting on her own accord because as she says, “She is just completing the work” of her father.
Ra’s Al Guhl makes only a brief appearance in this movie. His purpose is to add to the temptation and torment that Bruce Wayne is experiencing while in the pit. He returns to lie to Batman in an attempt to persuade him that the world is beyond saving. He is the original mastermind of all the evil and is the father of lies. He is the true Satan.
A NOTE ABOUT POINTS 4,5, AND 6: At this point is should be abundantly clear that TDKR is full of religious themes and symbolism. But the question remains, how vague or specific are these stories? The answer is that they are very specific but they are also very difficult to pick up. The reason being that the story is not told in chronological order. Different scenes represent different times in Jesus life and ministry and the linear progression of the movie of Batman does not coincide with a linear progression of the life of Jesus. Thus the movie is like a puzzle or a mystery that needs to be understood and put together. Anybody familiar with other Christopher Nolan movies will not be surprised by this. From Memento to Inception, Nolan’s movies generally have a significant cerebral enigma to unveil. I would have to watch the movie a bit more to be certain, but in general, it appears to me that events in Gotham city and on the surface ground of the city are symbolic of the 2nd coming of Christ while events underground or outside of the city are representative of the first coming of Christ.
4. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and being raised again: Although this is the chronological beginning for Jesus, this part of the movie doesn’t begin until about an hour into it.
When Alfred and Bruce have their falling out, this is symbolic of Christ beginning to be truly alone on his march to the cross. Alfred leaves Bruce because Bruce only sees “one end to the journey.”
The story picks up when Bruce is locked out of his own home further symbolizing the isolation that Jesus would face on his way to the cross. In a perhaps strange sequence of events, Batman sleeps with Miranda Tate. Sex being a symbol of unity this event must then symbolize Batman bearing the burden of evil as the Bible says that Jesus “became sin.” It is very interesting that while with Miranda, Bruce notices a scar on her back. This scar looks extremely similar to the branding mark Bruce was supposed to receive way back in the first movie Batman Begins. Basically, in that first movie, at the moment that Bruce was supposed to demonstrate his “commitment to justice” he rebels. In that scene from the first movie, we see the branding iron that produced the scar on Miranda’s back.
Next, Batman goes into the underworld of the sewer system. He is led by Selina Kyle who represents the world (more on that later). What Selina wants is a clean slate so she sells Batman out to Bain to provide herself protection. Bane absolutely demolishes Batman. When Batman tries to use darkness in the fight, Bane reminds him, “You merely adopted the dark. But I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn’t seen the light until I was a man and by then it was nothing to me but black…The shadows betray you because they belong to me…I will show you where I have made my home while preparing to bring justice, then I will break you.” Bane made his home under Wayne’s armory so as to steal it. Then he says, “I was wondering what would break first. Your spirit, or your body.” He then breaks Batman’s back. I quote this in its entirety because it is important to see what is going on here. Right after Batman becomes one with evil (sleeping with Miranda Tate) he continues his march to the cross. Bane (who at this point is still symbolic of Satan) breaks his body (but not his spirit). This is like the physical scourging of Jesus. Bane/Satan claims dominion and fatherhood over evil and says that Batman/Jesus only adopts it. This is precisely what Christ did by dying and rising again, he adopted us into his family. He took us out of the darkness and made us children of light. Furthermore, while Christ was on the cross, there were three hours of agonizing darkness. I think that this scene also tries to portray that anguish. Selina Kyle, when she sees the true nature of Bane and the revealed identity of Batman becomes greatly afraid and you can see that something is starting to change in her heart. Watching the suffering of Batman/Jesus has planted the seed of redemption.
The next scene in this progression of the cross is when Bruce Wayne wakes up in the pit of “hell on earth.” Bane plans to torture him in hell by making him watch the death of the city he loves. Many of tried to escape from the pit but nobody has ever succeeded (except for the child of Ra’s Al Guhl). The doctor of the pit tells Bruce, “The leap to freedom is not about strength.” Although the body makes the jump, the survival is the spirit. Bruce fears death, of dying in the pit while his city burns with nobody there to save it. Only when Bruce accepts the reality of death (symbolized by cutting the rope) can he rise out of the pit. Consequently, it takes Bruce three attempts to rise out of the pit which may symbolize the 3 days Christ was in the deep. For almost all the rest of the movie, the story of Christ is in the context of the 2nd coming…however there is one more scene that actually appears out of order…that is described next.
We’ve seen the physical suffering of Jesus on the cross (when Bane brutalized Batman). We’ve also seen the time Jesus spent in hell and his resurrection out of the pit (when Batman was in the pit). But we did not see the selfless sacrifice that saves the world, nor did we see the wrath of God. Now, I’ll admit that this point is more speculation than most others, but I think that the nuclear bomb is a good candidate for the wrath of God. It was supposed to explode un the corrupt city but of his own free will, Batman/Jesus takes the punishment. This symbolizes Jesus yielding His spirit to save His people. So with this final scene (totally out of order) we see the completion of the story of the death of Christ on the cross (however, I will say a little more on the resurrection in the next section).
5. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to build up His city: From the first Batman movie, Christopher Nolan has set up the idea that Batman is a symbol. Bruce Wayne reaffirms that point in this movie. The idea of using a symbol is reaffirmed as at one point Bruce Wayne said the point was that anybody could be Batman. In Christianity, Jesus was the firstborn from the dead so that his followers would become like Him. Here is more evidence of the story of the Holy Spirit’s coming in TDKR.
Notice that for the first time ever that the bat symbol is not black in the movie posters. I do mean first time ever. There are two versions of the bat symbol on the movie posters. In one, the symbol is white. And the other it is fire. Both symbolize the Holy Spirit. When people see the bat symbol lit up as fire, their hearts are turned towards Batman and they regain their courage (most notably the Police Lieutenant Foley). This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and comfort.
Even though the symbol was meant to inspire other people, it utterly failed until Batman died. And here is the kicker. Despite the appearance of Bruce Wayne being alive, Batman most certainly died. Now remember earlier that I said those who knew Batman’s identity were the disciples. After Batman’s death it is those disciples that carry on his ministry of Justice. The movie ends with each finding out he is still alive in Bruce Wayne and they carry on his work (like the great commission in the Bible).
Perhaps the best evidence of this though is what Commissioner Gordon reads at Bruce Wayne’s memorial. ”I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts and in the hearts of their descendants…It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” Although quoted from Dickens, this passage is very much like the words of Jesus in the gospel of John. The Christian belief is that God lives in our hearts through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is exactly the point Christopher Nolan is making by inserting these lines. Batman, like the Holy Spirit, is making his home in the hearts of men. It is a far, far better thing that he does this because this is how God builds His army, His body, His church, and His city. In essence, the movie ends with the disciples of Batman going out in the world fulfilling what he started.
6. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus’ 2nd Coming and ultimate triumph over evil: This is perhaps the greatest thrust of the movie. Here is the evidence and sequence.
The movie begins with people remembering the fact that Batman has been gone for a long time and wondering if he will ever come back. Many people have believed the lies about him and even more have stopped believing in him. But there is a small remnant of people who continue to wait for him. They sense that a storm is coming and a storm that only Batman can calm. While Batman has been away the world has gone on to unprecedented peace and prosperity. It was the best of times. But for other people, it was the worst of times. A perennial theme in Batman, the plight of the poor, the orphan, and the downtrodden argues that things cannot continue as they are. This sets up the central conflict of the movie. As Selina Kyle prods Bruce Wayne, “How did you think you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us?”
Ostensibly, this best of times and worst of times idea comes from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. Even the setting of revolution (which looks eerily like Occupy Wall street) is inspired by the setting of the French Revolution in Dickens’ tale. While all revolutions are claimed to be for freedom and justice, this revolution is revealed to be masterminded by the Devil himself for the ultimate destruction of the city and people that Batman/Jesus loves. The message here is clear, the devil uses the pretenses of “true justice”, “power to the people”, and peace to bring about his reign of terror.
As Bane builds his army publicly, Batman builds his privately. Remember how in the prior section I mentioned that the movie ends with the great commission of Jesus disciples going forth to fulfill his mission? Well, we see that fulfillment occurring through the characters of Blake and Gordon who build and train the army (remember that historically the story is jumbled and not told in chronological order). Batman even thanks Blake for “giving me an army” before he sends him out of the city to lead an “exodus.” This is a particularly amusing scene if you understand the things at play. The exodus of orphans (for whom Batman and Jesus both share a special love) occurs after the building of the army chronologically in the movie, but according to the story of Christ, the exodus of salvation for the orphans is the source from which the army is built. Batman says to save as many lives as he can. Notice that none of the disciples (Fox, Blake, Gordon, nor Alfred) is a part of the all out war on Bane? That is because the war is a part of the 2nd coming story line and the disciples are a part of the first coming story line!
Batman comes back to wage an all out war on Bane and his followers. Bane asks him, “Did you come back to die with your city?” To which Batman replies, “No, I came back to stop you.” See, once Christ has died, he will not die again. Now when Batman fights he beats Bane to a pulp. Or course Miranda Tate comes to defend Bane and reveal herself as the daughter of Ra’s Al Guhl. I don’t see much religious symbolism here…just some movie magic to make the story of Batman more entertaining. Ultimately, Talia like Bane, meets her end with a whimper and a false hope of thinking she helped to destroy society. Once Batman climbed out of the pit, his enemies never stood a chance.
In Bane’s final moments he unwittingly reveals why the Devil’s plans failed. ”I broke you. How did you come back?” The Devil could not anticipate the resurrection of Jesus. He thought in sending Jesus to the cross he was getting the ultimate victory and securing the destruction of the world. But He could not understand that Jesus went willingly. Interestingly enough the Bible tells of two people escaping a pit. Jesus was in the deep for 3 days. Satan is bound for 1000 years before his release and ultimate demise. So in describing how Talia and Bruce Wayne both escaped the pit is yet another biblical allusion (or perhaps coincidence).
With the defeat of Bain, Ra’s Al Guhl, and Talia the war is over and Batman wins. However, the action was still tense because Batman had to take the bomb outside of the city but as was shown earlier, that was a part of the storyline of Jesus’ first coming. With the victory over evil, the story of the 2nd coming is over.
7. The Dark Knight Rises is the story of Jesus redeeming and then marrying the church: Many of the items discussed have already reinforced this point but there are still a few other items worth mentioning.
In the reading of Bruce Wayne’s will, it is revealed that the contents of the house are left to Alfred. This goes in line with the reasoning that Alfred is symbolic of Peter. It symbolized the redeemed nature of their relationship.
The house and grounds are left to the city of Gotham for one purpose: the housing and care of at risk and orphaned children. When Blake hears this, he begins a slight smile because I think it is then that he realizes Bruce Wayne is alive. It seems like the will was made long before Bruce’s apparent death, but this cannot be because he leaves Blake the coordinates of the Bat Cave which he would only have done recently because they only met recently.
The leaving of the house for the care of the orphans is also important biblically. Jesus said to the world, “I will not leave you as orphans.” Also, in the Bible it states that pure and undefiled religion is to care for the widows and the orphans in their need. Jesus also said to his disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am there you may be also.” Adding these things up, we see that Batman has opened up his house forever to the blessed poor and orphans. It is symbolic of us spending eternity with God in His home of heaven.
As cool as all that is, my favorite part of the will is that the string of pearls (originally belonging to his mother are missing). Only the person with a knowledge of the end of the book of Revelation can really appreciate this last point to the fullest. But before going there, let’s say something about the role that Selina Kyle played. At the beginning of the movie, she was one of the participants who was going to help bring about the “storm.” In this sense she was fully wedded to the world and hence a servant of evil because the evil Bane was really the one behind the scenes calling the shots. However, once Selina saw the true natures of Bane and Batman, something started to change inside of her. Her desire was good. She wanted a clean slate and a fresh start. She was repentant but had no way for a clean start despite her desire. Trying to secure the clean slate on her own ended in failure. When she saw that Batman came back from the pit, she begged him to come with her and save himself. Her love for him is really starting to show, but she still doesn’t quite get it. When she sees that he is wiling to give himself to save the city, her love bursts forth and she is even there to give a helping hand in the ultimate defeat of the devil. After the death, resurrection and second coming of Batman/Jesus she is the most fortunate of all because she gets to be with Batman to the end. The clear implication is that Batman has finally found the woman he can settle down with and have peace and joy and love. Now back to the pearls: in the final chapters of revelation, the church is referenced as being the 12 pearls. When Selina tried to steal the necklace earlier in the movie, Bruce Wayne would not permit her to have it, but after she (representing the redeemed world) demonstrates her love for Batman, then he willingly gives her the necklace. Most people won’t notice this fact. You have to look closely but Selina is in fact wearing the family necklace in the next to last scene. This solidifies her redemption. This is a glimpse of the joy of eternity. Christ has redeemed and and married His church like a Bridegroom with His bride.
Conclusion: There you have it. Undoubtedly, there are more things that could have been listed. Also, I might have been a little overzealous in my searching for symbols and should anything be in error, I apologize for that. Also, there are of course details of the movie that don’t fit so neatly into this framework, that is probably because the sub-story had to be hidden and the surface-story needed to still be coherent. But all in all, I think that the symbols and themes are undeniable.
The brilliance and mastery required to write and produce such a film has, I think, never been paralleled in movie history. People will leave the theater thinking they’ve watched a great action flick (perhaps the best of all time) and very few will know the hero who captured their hearts was none other than Jesus Christ, the Batman.
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