Batman (1989)

Batman (Michael Keaton) cowl

Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and based on the character of the same name created by Bob Kane which first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. The film stars Michael Keaton as billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne who fights crime in Gotham City disguised as his alter ego Batman who must prevent the rise to power of the ruthless Joker portrayed by Jack Nicholson whilst protecting love interest Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger). Batman was classic Burton, a dark visual masterpiece with incredible production design from Anton Furst, costume design by Bob Ringwood and visual effects from noted miniature specialist Derek Meddings it became an instant hit and popular culture phenomenon grossing over $400 million at the box office and winning the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The success of the picture spawned an entertainment franchise which includes the Burton directed sequel Batman Returns and, following a 2005 reboot with Batman Begins, continues to the present day, it remains an influential favourite of the superhero genre.

The now iconic Batsuit worn by Michael Keaton was visioned by costume designer Bob Ringwood who drew inspiration from the comic books by Neal Adams in an effort to avoid the camp costumes of yesteryear. The creation of the suits was a complex process with both the cowl and bodysuit being sculpted over a lifecast of Michael Keaton by Vin Burnham from Ringwood's design before being cast in foam rubber creating a costume which would define the character for decades to come. Approximately twenty complete suits were created by the production as their delicate nature combined with vigorous filming requirements meant they had a limited lifespan, when suits were no longer in good enough condition for close up filming it was common for them to be relegated to stunt work. Despite attempts to maintain some manoeuvrability while designing the costume this was largely unsuccessful with Keaton's hearing and vision impaired and with little movement available in the heavy and restrictive suit the conditions during filming were far from ideal with the star often becoming frustrated.

The cowl displayed here today is an original worn by Michael Keaton as Batman during the production, constructed from black foam rubber is an extremely rare example of a genuine cowl with many having been destroyed during filming. The Batsuit remains an iconic and instantly recognisable image of cinema to generations of moviegoers around the world and this represents a significant artefact from this popular culture phenomenon and influential classic of the superhero genre.

Status - part of The Prop Gallery collection