Batman Cowl

After an 8 year gap, Warner Brothers Batman franchise was revitalized with the release of the 2005 box office smash Batman Begins. This movie was a lot darker and more realistic than its more colourful predecessors and owed more to recent comic book re-workings like Batman Year One and Batman, The Man Who Fell than the more humorous and camp 60’s television show.

The iconic crime fighting costume was donned by Christian Bale. It was thought that the new film should focus more on the conflicts raging inside Batman and billionaire Bruce Wayne rather than the over the top villains of the previous outings. Bale brought a new depth to the troubled character and after taking on a personal trainer, he achieved the physical realism required to believe in the character’s abilities. Bale had just completed The Machinist when in pre production for Batman Begins and its testament to his work ethic and desire for the role that he gained sufficient weight in such a short time to start filming.

This is the cowl worn by Christian Bale as Batman. It was designed by Lindy Hemming with a firm nod to the cowl designs from the previous movies worn by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney. It is fabricated from a specially made, high quality black rubber with inbuilt netting. There are metal sections over the eyebrows, under the eyes and across the nose to add to its incredible strength. There are also supports in the ears and the cowl has been lined with soft black fabric for the comfort of the actor. There are breathing holes at the nose and metal fixings on the front for its attachment to rest of the costume. It stands approximately 20 inches high.