Production Design: The Dark Knight

Have I mentioned that I'm a bit of a Christopher Nolan fan? Only a few hundred times? Ok, well I am, and I love The Dark Knight - I'd say it's one of his best films, only bettered by Memento and Inception.

It's a brilliant action thriller with spectacular set pieces and a dark, contemplative tone which elevates it from your average explosions and car chases movie.

The production design is very much a part of creating that tone. You can see how it differs from prior, camper, adaptations of the Batman comics clearly in one of the most iconic Batman features: the Batsuit. No PVC nipples for this masked crusader, no, his suit is tough and practical. Its design echoes suits of armour and even the cape has a practical application other than looking dramatic on rooftops.

In a similar vein, the Batmobile here is a heavy duty tank which can transform into a totally awesome motorbike. It suits the rugged tone of the film: a batmobile which hugs the Tarmac and is decked out in fins and spoilers would sit uncomfortably here.

Aside from a very brief sojourn on a yacht the film doesn't stray from a near uniform urban landscape of greys and blacks, concrete and glass. The dense skyscrapers of Gotham feel oppressive, hemming the characters in and in scenes like the public funeral, pose a very real threat.

Ironically, the only spot of colour in this shadowy story is the unquestionably mad villain, the Joker. Against the dark backdrop his purple and green suit and his white and red make-up are all the more stark. His madness is shown in his contrast to the world he lives in, and especially against his nemesis, Batman.

Finally, a small design note which is less stylistic, but more of a necessity. As we discovered on a recent shoot (blog to come soon) to make a film about a very rich character is difficult. The design of the film effortlessly convinces you that yes, Bruce Wayne is obscenely rich. His apartment is luxurious and vast, he wears sharp suits and drives fast cars. Until I can command the kind of money Nolan has at his disposal - the man can build buildings with the express intention of blowing them up - I shalln't be making films about billionaires.