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Wayne family
Bruce Wayne
The orphaned heir to Wayne Enterprises. Haunted by his parents’ murder, he leaves Gotham to understand criminals and overcome his fear.
ClearStory FILM GUIDE · 2005
Batman Begins
Follow Bruce’s journey. Understand the fear. Keep the ending hidden.
What you need to know
Bruce Wayne grows up in Gotham after witnessing the murder of his parents. As an adult, he leaves behind his wealth and identity to understand fear, crime and injustice. His journey eventually brings him home, where Gotham’s institutions are controlled by corruption and ordinary people need something powerful enough to give them hope.
2 hours 20 minutesSuperhero origin storyFirst Dark Knight film
OPTIONAL REFERENCECharacters, places and useful termsContains story details. Open after watching.
BEFORE YOU WATCH
12 peopleWho is that character?
AP
Wayne household
Alfred Pennyworth
The Wayne family’s trusted butler. He raised Bruce after his parents died and remains his closest adviser and father figure.
RD
Gotham justice system
Rachel Dawes
Bruce’s childhood friend and an assistant District Attorney who is trying to prosecute Gotham’s organised criminals.
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League of Shadows
Henri Ducard
A skilled fighter who finds Bruce in prison and trains him to use fear, stealth and theatricality against criminals.
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League of Shadows
Ra’s al Ghul
The mysterious leader of an ancient organisation that believes it has the right to judge corrupt societies.
JG
Gotham police
James Gordon
An honest police sergeant working inside a deeply corrupt force. He showed kindness to Bruce on the night his parents died.
JC
Arkham Asylum
Dr Jonathan Crane
A psychiatrist who evaluates criminals for the courts and has a particular professional interest in fear.
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Gotham organised crime
Carmine Falcone
Gotham’s most powerful crime boss. His influence reaches politicians, judges and police officers.
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Wayne Enterprises
Lucius Fox
A former board member moved into Applied Sciences, where unused prototypes from Wayne Enterprises are stored.
WE
Wayne Enterprises
William Earle
The company’s chief executive during Bruce’s absence. He is preparing to sell shares in the privately owned company.
JC
Bruce’s past
Joe Chill
The desperate mugger who shot Thomas and Martha Wayne when Bruce was a child.
AF
Gotham police
Arnold Flass
Gordon’s corrupt partner, who takes money from criminals while wearing a police badge.
DURING THE FILM
Recap as you go
Choose only a scene you have completed. If you are unsure, wait until you finish watching.
The simple way to follow it
Bruce is learning to use fear without being ruled by it. He wants to fight Gotham’s corruption without becoming an executioner.
AFTER WATCHING
Key story points
This section contains major spoilers, including the ending.
Content note: This film contains violence, murder, threat, frightening hallucinations, drugging, fire, childhood trauma and scenes of mass panic.
An unofficial, independently written viewing companion for the 2005 film Batman Begins. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Warner Bros., DC or the filmmakers. No official images, logos or film artwork are used.