The Dark Knight movie poster uses dark tones and lighting on the Batman symbol to convey the action genre. The title is in bold white text to stand out from the dark background. Above the title are the names of prominent actors to draw attention and promote the film. At the bottom is the July 28 release date. The central image depicts Batman as powerful through his posture and muscular physique. There are variations of teaser posters released to build awareness, such as one focusing on the characters and saying "Coming Soon" at the bottom.

1. THE DARK KNIGHT
POSTER ANALYSIS
By Nathan Incles

3. Following on from my magazine
analysis, I have opted to analyse the
poster from the Dark Knight.The genre
of the film is apparent due to the dark
tones in colour used along with the
Batman symbol which is depicted as
being on fire.The text on the poster
that is most prominent is the title of the
film ‘The Dark Knight’, as it is bold and
reasonably large. However this is not
the only reason as to why.There is also
the trademark Batman ident which is
positioned behind the title.The lighting
around the outline of the bat
illuminates the symbol, subsequently
making it appear attractive.
From my research, I have found that the
majority of action film posters, the
writing of the title appears to be white.
This is likely to be because the colour
scheme of the poster comprises mainly
of dark toned colours and therefore, it is
used to contrast that in order to stand
out.
Just above the title of the film there is
the list of actors that feature within
the film. In my opinion this has been
strategically placed, because, being
drawn to the title then seeing the
bold text above draws the audiences
attention. Having the stars names on
the poster is another way of selling
the film because an audience
member may see their favourite star
featured and that may be their reason
behind wanting to watch the film.
At the bottom centre of the poster, in
bold, is the phrase ‘July 28’.This tells
the audience the release date of the
film so that they are able to prepare to
engage in the film.

4. On the poster there is a central image of the protagonist,
Batman.The protagonist is framed in a low angle shot
which makes him appear as a dominant and powerful
figure (which is what the character of Batman is known
for).The superiority of the character is supported by the
fact that he is positioned firstly, in the centre of the poster
and also in the centre of what appears to be a crumbling
building. Ultimately, this helps to reinforce his dominance
and emphasises the idea of being fearless.The protagonist
is wearing an all in one black suit which amplifies his
muscularity, along with a mask which shields his identity.
The shielding of his identity makes this character more
mysterious and the defined muscles show him to be
powerful.
As well as the character and the title of the film being key
aspects of the poster, there is also two images of the
trademark Batman ident which stand out significantly.The
Bat symbol on the dishevelled building is portrayed as
being fire burning.This helps to reinforce the genre of the
film, because it is a typical convention of the action genre
to involve fire as a result of fire connoting danger.

5. At the top of the poster, there is a tagline, written in
a small font which reads ‘WELCOMETO AWORLD
WITHOUT RULES’.A tagline is often used to give a
hint or a clue as to what the film is about.Therefore,
from my point of view I would say that this tagline
gives me the feeling that this film is action packed
and full of mayhem. I believe that this film divulges
you into a whole new world, so different to ours that
you would even forget that your watching a film. If a
film poster and a simple 6 worded tagline can do that
to me, or other audience members without even
seeing the film, it is sure to get many views once
released.Taglines, such as this one work better when
they are short and snappy.
At the bottom of the film poster there is institutional
information, which appears as large, and unreadable
text. It is somewhat unreadable because it is not
meant to catch the audiences attention.Yet instead, is
there for legal purposes.The only piece of text
necessary for the audience would be the release date,
which is evidently bold and noticeable.

6. There are variations of film posters that are released
by companies to ensure that their targeted audience
are aware that there is a new film to be released. For
example, here is a film poster that was released
before the previous one.
Just like the other poster, there is the background
image of dire buildings and the film title is portrayed
in the same way with Bold text with the famous
Batman ident which is illuminated being apparent.
Furthermore, the characters who feature within the
film are placed on this poster and in the same order
as the previous, however, because this is a teaser
poster, the names have been placed at the top of the
poster which for most adults is at their eye level.
As this is only a teaser poster there is no release
date, which is why at the bottom of the poster, in
bold white writing it says ‘COMING SOON’.This text
is almost illuminated which gives the impression that
it is glowing,This stands out to the audience.The
reason for this teaser poster, is so that the audience
are aware that the film is not yet out, but they
should keep an eye out because it will be released
soon.
Teaser posters
come in varieties.
This one is a
character teaser
poster, whereby,
the stars within
the movie also get
their own poster,
opposed to there
just being one
central character.