The Dark Knight Analysis (Production Companies and Ratings)

The Dark Knight

I am using The Dark Knight as my example for each of the categories I am going to show. The Dark Knight is the second film of the most recent batman series. It has 3 sub-genres of thriller, action and crime.

Budget: $185,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: £11,191,824 (UK) (25 July 2008)

Gross: $533,316,061 (USA) (27 February 2009

Production Companies

This film has four separate production companies, which include:

• Warner Bros. (Presentation)
• Legendary Pictures (In Association With)
• DC Comics
• Syncopy

Unlike Sony the production has to be split into four separate parts because the one company can’t do all of the production.

Warner Bros.

Founded: April 4, 1918, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
CEO: Kevin Tsujihara

Headquarters: Burbank, CA, United States of America

Founders: Sam Warner, Albert Warner, Harry Warner and Jack Warner

Warner Bros. is a member of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). It is an American producer of film, television, and music entertainment.

Legendary Pictures

Founded: 2000

CEO: Thomas Tull

Headquarters: Burbank, CA, United States of America

Founder: Thomas Tull

Legendary Pictures, officially Legend Pictures, LLC, is an American film production company based in Burbank, California

Syncopy

Founded: 2001, London

Founders: Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan

Syncopy Inc. is a British film production company based in London, England.

Film Ratings

The Dark Knight is rated a 12A in the UK but in some other countries in Europe and also Ireland it is rated a 15. It includes: Sex and Nudity, Violence and Gore, Profanity, Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking, and Frightening/Intense scenes. The film is borderline 15 but was named a 12A by the British Film Classification. The thriller opening I make will come under the guidelines of a 12A or 15 because the majority of thriller films do not go under a 12A as they can be seen as too much for a younger child. Below are the guidelines for both 12A and 15.

12A Rating Guidelines:

Discrimination:No discriminative language or behavior can be endorsed.
Drugs: No instructions or details on drugs.
Horror: Psychological and physical threats can be allowed but this is providing there is little disturbing scenes.
Imitable Behaviour: Dangerous behavior should not go into detail that could appear pain-free, copied or harm-free. Weapons that can be easily accessible should not be glamourised.
Language: Strong language is only permitted if it is infrequent. Moderate language is fine.
Nudity: Nudity is fine as long as it is discreet and not used in a sexual way.
Sex: Sexual activity can be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go past what is seen suitable for young teenagers.
Theme: Must be suitable for young teenagers but mature themes can be displayed.
Violence: Moderate violence is permitted but no gory detail. Sexual violence can only be displayed if in strongly justified context.

15 Rating Guidelines:

Discrimination: Must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior.
Drugs: Must not promote it but can be seen using it.
Horror: Threats and menace are allowed but not sadistic or sexualized horror.
Imitable Behaviour: No dangerous behavior in detail. Weapons that are easily accessible should not be glamourised.
Language: Frequent use of strong language is permitted, but stronger terms can only be used if used in correct context.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed but not in strong detail. No constraints are in place when it is in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex: May be portrayed but no strong detail. Any verbal references have to be justified.
Theme: No themes are prohibited, given that it is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence: Strong violence is fine but it should not dwell on pain/injury. No strong gory images or sexual violence. Any verbal referencing to sexual violence is fine but if there is any showing of sexual violence it must be very discreet.