The title sequence introduces the main characters of Batman and the Joker through a series of playing cards that are manipulated on screen. Symbols from each character are added to the cards to represent the ongoing battle between good and evil. As the sequence progresses, the Joker takes over more cards, suggesting Batman will find it more difficult to defeat him. The music builds drama and tension to foreshadow the danger to come. In just 3 sentences, the summary captures the key elements and progression of the title sequence.

1. Georgina Saunders
The Dark Knight – Title Sequence
This shot is introducing the main
character of the film, although B is
not technically a playing card, the
audience have already been
introduced to the character so they
will understand what is being shown.
A playing card is used to signify the
‘games’ that go on between Batman
and his villain, the Joker. The blue
background is dark enough to make
the playing card stand out so your attention is drawn towards it. The font used is very small so we
don’t spend all out time looking at it; the white font makes it stand out. Items on the playing card
have been edited to show the symbol of a bat and a mask has been placed over the person’s head,
to enforce the fact it is being used to represent the joker. Although the bat symbol is an iconic
symbol, as we recognise it as a bat, we also link it to a person although no hint of this is given in the
symbol.
The placing of the Queen over the
batman card signifies he is easy to
defeat and possible won’t be the
main character in this film. The card
has been vandalised with huge black
eyes and red lips, the audience will
recognise this as the sign of the
Joker. The fact he is already causing
trouble and the film has not started
signifies how he is constantly up to
no good. The black eyes and red lips are a symbolic sign as you have to know they represent the
joker to know what the sign is representing. The denotation might be interpreted to putting make up
on the Queen’s face as it something females do, but the connotation brings us to the conclusion the
joker is being represented. The placing cards have moved from the far left of the screen to the far
right signifies how batman and the joker are on different sides, good vs evil.
The changing of the cards is speeding
up as the title sequence progresses.
This shot is a close up, which is the
closest the cards have been to the
screen so far. The king has also been
graphited with the mark of the joker.
Batman is becoming buried at the
bottom of this pile, this signifies he
will find it will be more difficult for
him to win this fight. As we have
seen the King and Queen card the only other picture card is the Jack, this suggests that this was the

2. Georgina Saunders
card that Batman took over; technically he is the King and Queens’ source of entertainment so is
lower than them in terms of class. This signifies when he is not Batman that he is an everyday
person, which gives hope for others.
The Joker card is to the far right of
the screen, and we can only see half
of it. The joker symbol breaks the
rule of three and appears in the
middle of the screen so it is the main
focus of the shot. The text colour has
changed to black so it does not draw
any attention to the black eyes or
red lips. Black is a dark colour, and
masks are usually in black so they do
not stand out, the joker uses black in the opposite way and draws attention to his eyes. Red can
signify danger, and by being on his lips it offers that he spills the blood himself and feels no shame
about this. The joker symbol is un-neat and looks like it has been carelessly drawn, this signifies he is
easy to track as he is careless in his work and often leaves clues to where he is and that it was him
that done it. He wants all the credit for his mischievous behaviour.
The red bat is a superimposition of
the red lips, this is joining both
Batman’s and the Joker’s symbol
together to signify they might have
to work together.
The music is eerie and foreshadows future danger, when the first playing card is shown the music
becomes more dramatic and gets louder. It builds up and the audience are waiting for something to
happen, and then batman appears. The music then becomes more dramatic and the drums make a
harsh sound to suggest danger. There is also a clock ticking to signify a time limit and the need to
hurry. The ticking takes over and becomes the main sound to signify how important the time limit is,
and there could be massive consequences if it is not met. The dramatic music suggests this film as
action film. I think the title sequence fits the genre of the film and creates suspense for the
upcoming film.