American Mythologist scholar and writer Joseph Campbell described the structure of the “hero” narrative as “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man”. Campbell’s analysis of narrative structure deeply interested me so for the purposes of this assessment I will analyse the “mythology of the hero” in Christopher Nolan’s film “Batman Begins” starring Christian Bale.

The diagram above shows the template that the hero should follow Batman begins is no exception, beginning in an ordinary world. Bruce Wayne does not enjoy his life, the death of his parents during his childhood as well as the guilt that he felt for being responsible for their death weighs deeply on his mind. His only driving force at this time is revenge as he plans to shoot his parents killer. In a turn events his parent’s killer is shot by someone else removing the driving force he had. He admits to his attempted murder to his love interest Rachel who slaps him for admitting to this and leaves. Bruce is at a new low.

The call to adventure comes after realizing the error in his ways, he throws his gun into the water and vows to hold criminals to a different type of justice rather than murderous revenge.  He goes and confronts mob boss “Falcone” where thugs beat him stating that he will end up like his parents if he attempts to stop them again. Bruce is now only further inspired by this and leaves Gotham City and thus Bruce Wayne has now left the “ordinary world”.

During his travels Bruce encounters some mysterious men who offer him a chance to join the “League of Shadows” a religious cult almost who are determined to create a better world at whatever cost. Bruce has met his mentors.

For crossing the threshold Bruce reaches the lair of the “League of Shadows” where he learns the fundamental skills required in order to become Batman. However Bruce faces numerous tests and challenges. To complete his training he is ordered to kill a convicted man and uphold the code of the Shadows by destroying Gotham City, his home. Bruce chooses to save the man’s life and denounces the League of Shadows. This shows a lot of character development from the person who was ready to kill a man for revenge in the opening scenes. Bruce utilizes all the skills he has learned to escape where he returns to Gotham where the concept of Batman is finally put into place.

The superhero Batman gains many enemies of note in this movie. One of the most prominent is “Scarecrow” who sets Batman on fire. In an attempt to escape Batman jumps out of a high window and falls to the ground. With Death on his doorstep he calls Alfred who comes to his rescue and saves him. The Second crises arises when Rachel is captured by scarecrow, Batman rushes to her aid and his able to save her. This concludes the Death & Rebirth of the hero analysis.

After these ordeals the purpose of Batman has become clear. Bruce Wayne at the beginning of this film was a shell of who he is now. From only being held bent on revenge he now realises what his purpose as batman is “It’s not who I am underneath, But what I do that defines me”.

In the final battle Batman must fight his former mentor in the League of Shadows to save Gotham. Batman is pinned to the ground and his mentor looks over him watching him die. His mentor asks him if he is afraid Batman replies “Yes…. but not of you” Batman then escapes, he has survived death yet again and is now earned his tile as a true hero by saving Gotham. He has no resurrected as a true hero.

Watch the Final Battle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTIsIi8_w0Q

Batman returns to Gotham having cheated death, saved his love and Gotham. This marks the return of the hero from the person we first met. Not only just a better man but the hero of Gotham. Batman Begins clearly demonstrates the heroes journey as described by Joseph Campbell.

Batman Begins Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neY2xVmOfUM