The Dark Knight - D. Elfman Theme

[Kayra]

oh long life Danny Elfman, the mastermind!! m(_ _)m

[MDStallings7]

This will always be the Batman theme for me. It's what I grew up with. Hell they even use this theme for the coaster at Six Flags. Hans Zimmer is great but can't top Danny Elfman.

[HieclexsXiii]

BEST BATMAN FILM EVER AND THE ACTORS ARE WICKED!

[MrSniper1234]

this just in.....there will be no joker in batman 3.

[delunahugoren]

Ohh, it would have been so bad ass with that theme song! I feel like a kid again

[Thandi123]

Funny thing is, if you watched the original two movies (Batman and Batman returns) they were actually in a lot of ways darker than Nolan's. Not as good, but definitely definitely dark.

[Rvd420WHAT]

Nice remix, Using the classic theme is so much more dramatic and appealing than that boorish nonsense Zimmer wrote. The 89 theme is truly iconic and unmistakable much like the Superman theme. If you played the Zimmer theme randomly I doubt many would even know where that piece of music came from. With the Elfman theme much like Superman, it is no question, EVERYONE knows what that music is from. Nice job, thanks for posting

[tmandoo1]

cristian bale made batman more cringe inducing than george clooney, at least then the movie was funny. This movie is amazing, cristy boy sucks. Batman never had to go GRLBGLRGLBLRG gruff in his voice before, why make him retarded now? btw I AM THE NIGHT X0

[SuperWillHatch]

@tmandoo1

All the people who complain about Batman's voice have the problem, not him.

[emasaurVideos47]

This movie. Is AMAZING.

[AGrandt]

The problem with using Elfman's theme is that while it's great and pretty dark, his themes also tend to be whimsical and playful. hardly a perfect fit for Dark Knight.

[CSkank]

I love Danny Elfman, but Hans Zimmer's music better fits this movie.

[GRACELUVSTOKIOHOTEL]

this music is too much of an action piece, batman is dark so it doesn't match

[MrFranzRichard]

Christian Bale saves Batman

[boondocks43]

@MrFranzRichard Keaton beat him to it

[robochibi]

I think this needs to be re-edited to carefully match the theme a lil better

[ryanster246]

no, the music doesn't work with this trailer.

[PowuhToSeven]

@ryanster246 i admit so but in my eyes danny elfmans scores are my favorite

[piloneman]

Beg to differ, joshodst. The score Nloan style's pretty cool. But whenever, i think of Batman in this film and the Dark Knight and the chaacter invgeneral, I can't help but think of this theme song. It's just amazing.

[LSnicket4]

I wish the song synchronized better with the trailer -- but I do feel for the Nolan films, the Zimmer/Howard collaboration is better suited. The Burton films were more zany and comic, which is how Elfman's masterful track is.

[joshodst]

good theme song,even though the halo theme is still better.why you say?because halo has more than just one catchy song but still,never the less i still love that batman theme a lot!

[fmb137]

so the halo theme is better because halo the game itself has lots of catchy songs? good logic.

[joshodst]

kinda...just have a look at that song called skyline its like rock and orchestra at the same time,but heres a warning to you,its that tipe of song that you need to listen more than once for it to be catchy,thats all and batman theme is still awesome!

[Sixx0809]

@joshodst Halo is all hype. :/

I got more gameplay out of Batman: Arkham Asylum than I did the entire Halo series.

[BillyCauseyjr]

@joshodst What the fuck does a video game have to do with the goddamn batman?

[pgalvi87]

havent seen the film in a year. Watched it last night. AMAZING!

[TheCGIMaster]

this shuld have been in the trailer!

[rilco]

Elfman's Batman is epic!

[Keira13]

The Batman that Danny Elfman wrote was more comic-esque because the style he was scoring for was like a comic book that sprang to life.

Don't get me wrong, Danny Elfman is my favourite film score composer ever, and I do like his Batman suite waaaayyy better overall, but Hans Zimmer did an AMAZING job on The Dark Knight; the music worked beautifully with that style of Batman.

[Keira13]

Comparing Danny Elfman's Batman and Hans Zimmer's Batman is like oranges and apples.

The Dark Knight was well, darker then most of the comics, and it was really ment to be as if the whole storyline took place right here, right now.

[TheCldOne]

the old school song is tight!!!!...the very first two batmans were good, batman 1989 and batman returns, the rest with george clooney, and val kilmer, those were complete embarrassments to batman. Now batman begins and dark knight are really how batman should be played.

[TheLiquidBlaze]

This doesnt fit. The new batman soundtrack is way better then this. I hated batman back in the day.. Batman begins and the dark knight changed my opinion about the franchise. It has a fucking great and epic soundtrack. Molussus is amazing

[StevieGG08]

Danny Elfman is very good...but let's be serious....the soundtrack of the new Batman franchise is better,darker and deeper than any score that I've ever heard before

[Greenchrissi]

No, Danny Elfmans music was better for Batman.

[Matfen815]

I'm sure many may disagree, but after desperate housewives and Terminator, Danny Elfman's become a bit of a joke. He absolutely ruined the Terminator Salvation soundtrack, and Hans Zimmer showed him what was what on the new Batmans.

[Maxashi]

@Matfen815 yeah hans zimmers theme for batman was dramatic and heroic.

But i missed the darkness in there, which

charactierizes batman after all

[StevieGG08]

darkness?BUT THIS IS ALL ABOUT IN THIS SOUNDTRACK!... Batman 89' didn't have any darkness..only heroic shit...yeah right...you should thank Chris Nolan for saving Batman's poor ass reputation as an obscure little midget and his whack nemesis Joker

[theemceemurdah]

Danny Elfman's theme is forever ingrained in my mind as the definitive batman theme

[wafflebuster]

nananananananana batmaaaan

[BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

kool!

[XioXaio12]

man. Danny Elfman's Batman is too good for The Dark Knight.

[LingFangKou]

Christopher Bale and Heath Ledger are perhaps the best batman and joker in all of the movies and series. Both did an excellent job. Jack Nicoleson also did a pretty good job.

[leedude2000]

Christian bale

[LingFangKou]

yeah. your right. clicked okay before i realized it. : )

[leedude2000]

xD lol

[londongamer]

I beg to differ; Michael Keaton did for Batman what Sean Connery did for James Bond. Though I admit, Heath Ledgers performance was awesome, but Jack Nicholson was just a smidge better.

[mcbullets1]

played different types of jokers, can't really compare the two.

I'll agree with the Keaton thing though best bruce wayne whereas bale is the best batman.

[biostyle]

Stop talking shit, you fuckers.

Christian Bale is a fantastic Batman. He showed us how Batman is supposed to be and not how gay movie directors made him in movies like: "Batman and Robin" and "Batman Forever"..

[20kiv10]

Shut up! He only shows how bad he can play!!!

[carfoz]

@biostyle

There is a reason why the old movies that you mention are *gay* (to use your words) just look up the facts... if you know the whole history it DOES makes sense. Believe me.

[VvoOKasH]

@biostyle Thats the truth!

[gummybear1662]

@biostyle ya fucker ya mother fucker

[WaterWarrior44]

@biostyle tottaly gree, finaly someone sees the light

[SageTheFox]

@biostyle your right they need to shut up

[kevin1324567894]

If Heath Ledger dosen't plyed the Jocker this movie wold ben nothing...a simple Batman...! P.S: sorry for my english I am from France

[Jackass887]

imagine a batman movie where Michael Keaton is batman, Heath Leger is joker, modern day special effects, Tim Burton directing, and Megan Fox as catwoman. That would be my kind of movie

[nameless12345]

megan fox is hot as hell but she is the shittest actor around

[KyuubiZanpakuto]

she is not hot she only looks hot with all that makeup but naturally she isnt

[Alvinkujur711]

Megan fox's face and hair are beautiful so is her body . she would make a great zatanna someday!

[xXxOutlaw90xXx]

@nameless12345 you are so right.

[Fahrenheit281]

@nameless12345 hahah man i love u, when i said that everyone disagree

[kamikazimonk1987]

@nameless12345 Greatest Statement EVER!!!!! Many thumbs upto you!!!

[wilko21]

This works very nicely. Well done!

[blathebla06]

I LOVE Danny Elfman's work. Whether it's been Edward Scissorhands, the Simpsons or, well this, it's always been awesome. He has to be my favourite composer.

Plus this movie is great as well.

[oxDannyBxo]

'The Dark Knight' music is ok...but Danny Elfman's music is so full of emotion!

[raizumichin]

Christopher Nolans biggest mistake was not using this theme for his Batman movies.

[Adophy1945]

this theme is cool but it must stay with the Olds movies. Nolan's Batman is not following Burton's one, it repleace it ! so you must repleace the song too.

both are cools.

[raizumichin]

Well, it hasn't really replaced them... We still have the old movies, don't we?

I just think this theme is such a part of the character, just like the music themes for characters such as Indiana Jones, James Bond and Superman.

And the new theme kinda blows IMO.

[Adophy1945]

we still have them, but they will not make a Fifth Batman following ''Batman and Robin''. they will make a third one following ''The Dark Knight''.

Superman Returns Followed The Quest For Peace.

The he Crystal Skull Followed the Last Crusade.

I agree about Bond its weird because Casino Royale ''Restarted'' the saga. but well... they have changed a lot of things. This is totally different. I don't know why do they didn't changed the theme song.

[raizumichin]

If you want to nitpick, the new superman movies follows picks up after Superman 2, disregarding the two campy movies that came after.

I see the new Bond movies as a return to the roots, the Pierce Brosnan and late Roger Moore movies were the ones who was totally different, the new ones returns to the feel of the Sean Connery movies and the original novels.

[Alvinkujur711]

Danial Craig in my opinion is a horrible bond!

[raizumichin]

But i think my point still stands, the theme is so integral to these characters it's stupid to exclude it. It doesn't really matter if it's considered to be a apart of the same series or not.

[Adophy1945]

yeah that your opinion and, from your point of view, You are right.

maybe its also because of Elfman refused, we don't know.

i think the New Themes are nice too. this is different points of views.

[raizumichin]

Christopher Nolan said in an interview that he didn't want Batman to have a heroic theme song, because he didn't think that would fit the more "realistic and serious" theme of the new movies. And the new theme works with the style of the new flicks, even if I would've preferred the old one.

[incrediblecaptain]

Doesn't exactly Sync

[operator55552000]

horrible use of footage and editing

[snowfox45]

best theme music...

[gonnerman00]

0:52 is cool & funny!

[gonnerman00]

And Batman 1989 main menu

[gonnerman00]

It's a Lego Batman menu theme

[jorsche99]

what has my sense of history to do with the fact that this is not the tdk theme???because i didnt mentioned all films and shows where it was used??

[jorsche99]

thats not the dark night theme!!!!!!!!!

this one was used for the lego batman game e.g.

[KHII]

No sense of history

[MrGoofySkull]

LEGO batman!!?!? This one is from Batman 1989!!! A classic, shame..

[nolaw03]

its from the 1989 batman movie, not just the lego game

[kevindiesal]

but it was originally used in the 1989 movie by tim burton, and batman returns

[Icedhope]

This score, would have made this movie better.

[RonixEnclave]

For the SuperHero that is claimed to have "No" SuperPowers, He sure is pwning the movie industry and Game industry in the Super Hero Genre. Other Hero's better step up ;)

But, you can't beat the best Super Hero ever anyway ;) Brains and using Money for good Wins over everything! Plus a few martial art skillz!

[SuperWillHatch]

Too true. Don't forget that The Joker is also a genius as well as Dr Doom, the best villain in history.

[kingmik321]

I can barely hear what they're saying with Danny Elfman's music in the bg

[gangrail]

batman did 2 things right dark knight and arkham asylum

[dragoncommander92]

what about the original movie

[gangrail]

oh forgot and the batman movies directed by tim burton

[dragoncommander92]

also your forgetting the animated series, the original one dude

that makes 5 awesome things

[Maxfield93]

Hans Zimmer is may fav, but Danny's theme will always have a special place in my heart. It will always immediately bring the Dark Knight to mind :)

[commentmutant]

ELFMAN / ZIMMERMAN PRODUCTION!!

[shanepoopsballoons]

differant song tard

[commentmutant]

dumb ass i wasn't being serious.. typical moron...

[shanepoopsballoons]

yeah im sure

[commentmutant]

i know more about this shit than you, so blow me..

[shanepoopsballoons]

way to end a great come back

[commentmutant]

douche bag... you are one..

[shanepoopsballoons]

lol wtf?

[commentmutant]

indeed

[musicman3005]

cool mix old with the new awsome job

[danymatrix0007]

This theme will never die :)

[FireIceAndLove]

I think both are great but the danny elfman theme is better for batman

[Haluet]

Unusually... The classics never will die

[SelinaCatwoman89]

I like both themes, but I think, the theme by Danny Elfman fits better with the old film because it's more mysterious, not so modern, like the new films and the new music.

[PurpleVolvagia]

not comparable. The danny elfman soundtracks even suit the Tim Burton films better than the Hans Zimmer soundtrack fits the new films.

This theme... that's just Batman, right there. The Hans Zimmer Dark Knight theme is just a generic let's-make-a-typical-hans-zimm­er-theme piece of music that does not stick to mind half as well as the Danny Elfman score does.

[Yrahcaz75]

the old theme's good, but i prefer the new movies as opposed to the old ones

[Radculas]

I always thought the older batman movies were better but dark knight just beat the whole thing like a snap.

[Smallville7000]

i'm with you on that I though Original Batman was great but Dark Knight is way better!!!

[JardelPablo]

HANS ZIMMER THE MASTER...!

[RAnciD1714]

lol i hated the one with gearge clooney and arnold swarzchnigger its just to 90s i only like first 1 and dark knight

[Music121791]

gay

[Valdrag]

I like the newer movies, but every fascett of them falls short of the old.

[The4Horsemen7Angels]

I don't think so... The new Batman movies actually give Batman a motive that isn't vague.

[sephiroth89bmw]

Danny Elfman's original batman theme was iconic and will always be the best and most definitive, but Hans Zimmer's score was perfect for the nature of the new films which are more realistic and darker with less brass and more bass :) Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer are definitely two of the best film composers of all time!

[xo8jumbalaya8ox]

Perfectly Spoken!

[Radculas]

couldn't have put it any better, you're smack dab in the middle, yes! I totally agree!!!! this video creates a good contrast between the two:D

[Siddif88]

Awesome, i was actually listening to the Elfman theme thinking it would be perfect with the darker revival and i saw this. I liked the edit too though would be good if the voices on the movie clips could be heard better. 5 stars =)

[Drac39]

Elfman's score is superior to Zimmer's in my opinion but it wouldn't fit Nolan's vision. Very well edited though

[Hackmoune]

I do think Elfman score can fit very well with The Dark Knight movie cause there is the Joker, not to much with Batman Begins though

[LeadCeno]

I think the Elfman style would fit too. Maybe not the specific score from Batman 89, but the same style. I prefer a Batman score that's kindof.. horrific and heroic at the same time, which is what Batman is. The Nolan films scores have that somewhat, but they aren't nearly as disturbing and unnerving as the Elfman score.

[slipknot3026]

indeed

[rud3m4n]

Danny Elfman is the greatest, nightmare before christmas!!!

[vixceous]

This is the classic Batman song, ain't it?

I mean, when you hear this, it's like "Batman!"

[SineadtheMoose]

I'm surprised how it somewhat matches...

[uncletomalex]

the danny elfman's theme is so much better in my opinion!!!

[hulkabraham]

Elfman scores are Anthems! simply the best!!

[fatmusiclover]

Personally I like the Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard score better, but this is still good.

I think the Zimmer score captured the chaos that Nolan tried to create in this film

[ieetemos4breakfast]

suprisigly it fits quite well. I prefer the Nolan series to the Burton/Shumacher sereis but the score for the two burton movies was unforgettable.

[EliteKids]

well, it has to fit the movie's tone. Elfman's theme was for Batman and Batman Returns which were less serious(no offense). Zimmer's fit's the tone perfectly. Elfman's is better

[DavesVenture]

Zimmer is the Mozart of movie scores.

Elfman is Beethoven.

Both are geniuses in their own right.

[freedomsoldier187]

why no cereal !!!!!

[vixceous]

Oh, I got it: "Cereal Killer."

[joys4peace]

XD Isn't that a lot of people at breakfast?

[JReyes123]

DANANANDANANANANANANA BAT MAN!

[SpeedingStudent]

They are both awesome in their own way. I love Elfman's classic batman, but Zimmer's version is even darker, not as bombastic as Elfman's version.

Like a Ferrari or Porsche. Both are fast, but both still have different character.

[jimbob3332]

Did you try to make the video and the music sync?

[Arppis]

Elfman is better. Didn't like how the new theme lacked the "punch" what this theme has. That is why this theme will be stuck on your head but Zimmerman's isn't. It has something that the newer theme doesn't have.

[ratweh]

dont get me wrong, it is good, but its 2 childish in a way

like the normal theme is alot darker, this theme is to light mooded

[Reardon618]

i prefer zimmer

[Miyakolover]

I love both Elfman and Zimmer's themes

[Blind3000]

agree with sacon05

[alphaking32]

I thought Hans Zimmer was the best but I almost forgot how badass Elfman theme is. Elfman theme had that power in it that still gives me chills.

[mrblobby316]

this is great best vid on you tube

[misledlestat]

compare to the 1989 movie this batman was a joke

[thief1183]

Agreed

[Stamatimenos]

Great job! Seriosuly! 5 stars only because I cannot give 6!!!!

[KamenRyderBlackRX]

Go Elfman, go!!!

[ehrenzoner]

This is veery good editing on your part. You should have made the trailer's dialogue a bit louder though.

[BdenxLovexX]

We are playing this version in my band class.

[Squabbles10]

Gotta love all the Batmans. Can watch everyone over and over all day everyday !!!1

boom boom

[badabing1551]

even batman and robin

[Squabbles10]

Except fpr Batman and Robin and Val Kilmer !

[dynasta34]

Val Kilmer wasn't that bad. He was ok. Batman and Robin was still terrible

[Rcp123190]

i agree Kilmar was ok. Clooneys was just terrible i thought

[lerbagge]

Hey you know all those things that the joker said in the movie about batman and society and stuff? Were those things true after all?

[sacon05]

Elfman's score suits Burton's films style, it doesnt suit this more violent, agressive, realistic version of Batman. Zimmer's score is brilliant. Elfman's score was really good to the tone of the Burton's Batman.

[Akosh2c]

the ost is very good to this film, but I think to the 46th sec this music is far better for a batman movie.

[crazycrisco]

Danny Elfman is probably the best composer of all time. I can't think of one of his songs that I don't love.

[AK47MONCO]

Danny Elfman and Hanz Zimmer are both equally good composers but this theme was the best.

1. Batman Returns

2. Batman Begins

3. The Dark Knight

[deomartinez77]

Dont forget Shirley Walker's theme for "Batman:Mask of the Phantasm" which is an update to her Batman the animated series theme.

[AmbushCaptain]

I love Danny Elfman's version of Batman, but I don't think it fits the Dark Knight movie that well, or at least not these specific scenes. But both the Dark Knight's music and Danny Elfman's were good.

[hydraulikz]

the theme in the end in batman (89) where they have the bell tower ringing with the theme always gives me chills! anyone know the name of the particular theme?

[waltersilva24]

"finale"

[blahlahaguy]

awesome. i love both soundtracks :P

[will3219]

dude the new music is hella better

[xxf1nchxx]

the new music is more atmospheric than actual music, its heavily based on rhythmic drum stuff. elfmans batman scores are far better than dark knights or hans. how do i know? after watching dark knight twice i didnt remember ANY of the music because it was simply that, not memorable.

[RogueTone]

Not memorable to you maybe. I often hum the score utilized in the scene where Batman was taking down the SWAT and the Clowns in the skyscraper. Elfman's score is brazen and in your face - it's a MARCH. Of course you remember it. That doesn't make it better.

[MCR4EVUR]

I LOVE JOKER.. I HATE BATMAN.. i miss heath ledger such an epic death

[SuperWillHatch]

WTF? WHy do you hate Batman?