Batman The Movie review

Critics will be divided on this movie spin-off from Batman’s Sixties camp era, but there’s no doubting the Dark Knight-fuelled interest in this BD package. Unfortunately, image quality is somewhat disappointing.

There's obvious mosquito noise in the image, which has been framed at 16:9 rather than the original Cinemascope. As a result, the film has a gritty, aged appearance; the feature doesn’t seem to have benefited from any aggressive restoration. Colour fidelity is solid though, while skin detail is high. Bizarrely, this originally mono movie now comes with a DTS-HD MA soundtrack. It’s a rudimentary remix though, which offers little of note. You can also select an isolated version of the score in the same hi-res format. There's also commentary tracks from Adam West and Burt Ward, and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr.

However I actually doubt most buyers of this disc will rush to watch the feature. The biggest attraction for Batfans will be the extras, which are considerable and considered. This feature material is excellent, with contributions from comic creators, film historians and culture vultures alike. Batman: A Dynamic Legacy, Caped Crusaders: A Heroes Tribute and Gotham City's Most Wanted are pure gold for fanboys. There's also a Batmobile short with creator George Barris, a pop-up triva mode and original theatrical trailer.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Region A import, £18, On sale now
HCC VERDICT: 4/5