Batman – The Mask of the Phantasm – the animated film of 1993
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm), also known as Batman: The Animated Movie, is a 1993 American animated film. Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, the film is set in the renowned DC Animated Universe and is based on the famous 1992 animated series Batman. Considered the first animated film dedicated to the legendary Gotham City superhero, Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm has captured the attention of millions of fans around the world.
Written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko and Michael Reaves, the film boasts an exceptional voice cast, including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who reprise their iconic roles from the animated series. Apart from them, the cast also includes Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Stacy Keach and Abe Vigoda who help make the film an unforgettable experience for the viewers.
The plot of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm revolves around the emergence of a mysterious assassin known as the Phantasm, who wreaks havoc among the criminals of Gotham City. Batman, played by Kevin Conroy with his distinctive deep voice, sets out on a dangerous hunt to stop the Phantom and reveal his true identity. Throughout the story, the events leading up to Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman are also narrated and his first great love, Andrea Beaumont, played by Dana Delany is explored.
One of the most appealing features of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is its setting in the DC Animated Universe, which offers fans a fascinating connection to the animated series. The film further expands the world of Batman, introducing new characters and offering an in-depth look into the complex personality of Bruce Wayne. Viewers are transported to an animated universe full of action, mystery and drama that perfectly captures the essence of the Dark Knight.
Although Batman: Masque of the Phantasm was originally conceived as a direct-to-video film, Warner Bros. decided to also release it in theaters on December 25, 1993. Despite the critical enthusiasm for the engaging story, the magnificent soundtrack, high-quality animation, and outstanding voice performances, the film struggled at the box office. However, over the years, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm has gained a cult following who have recognized it as one of the best animated adaptations of the Dark Knight.
The directors Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, the same authors of the famous animated series, were inspired by the comic series Batman: Year Two to create this extraordinary film. With their unique vision and talent for bringing the Batman stories to the screen, they gifted audiences with an animated work of art that continues to captivate new generations of fans to this day.
In Italy, Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm was released direct-to-videotape in 1994, with different voice actors than the animated series. Despite the differences in the dubbing, the film has kept its narrative strength and emotional impact intact, giving Italian viewers an unforgettable experience.
Nearly three decades after its release, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm remains an animated classic that deserves to be remembered. Its combination of gripping plot, well-developed characters, and quality animation makes it a must-see for Batman fans and animated movie lovers alike. If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss your chance to immerse yourself in the dark and fascinating world of the Dark Knight through Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
History
A young Bruce Wayne and Andrea Beaumont begin a relationship after meeting while visiting their respective parents' graves. During this period, Bruce makes his first attempts to fight crime. Though he manages to thwart a few thefts, he's disheartened that the criminals don't fear him. Bruce is conflicted about whether he should commit to his relationship with Andrea or stand up for Gotham City to avenge her parents, but he finally proposes marriage. Andrea accepts, but then mysteriously leaves Gotham with her father, entrepreneur Carl Beaumont, putting an end to the announcement of engagement in a farewell letter. Heartbroken, Bruce takes on the mantle of Batman.
Ten years later, Batman crashes a meeting of Gotham City crime bosses led by Chuckie Sol. When Sol tries to flee in a car, a hooded figure, the Phantom, crashes him into a building, resulting in his death. Witnesses see Batman at the scene and believe he killed Sol. Corrupt city councilor and underworld accomplice Arthur Reeves vows to have Batman arrested.
The Phantom kills another gangster, Buzz Bronski, in the Gotham cemetery. Bronski's bodyguards see the Phantom and mistakenly believe him to be Batman. Batman investigates the scene of Bronski's death and meets Andrea, inadvertently revealing her identity to her. Batman finds evidence linking Carl Beaumont to Sol, Bronski, and a third gangster, Salvatore Valestra, later finding a photo of the four together in Valestra's house. Paranoid that Batman will seek him out next, the older Valestra asks Reeves for help, but is refused. Desperate, he turns to the Joker.
The Phantom travels to Valestra's residence to kill him, but finds him dead from the Joker's poison. Seeing the Phantom through a camera, the Joker realizes Batman is not the killer and detonates a bomb he planted in the residence. The Phantom manages to escape the explosion and Batman gives chase, but then disappears, leaving Batman trapped by the police, but saved from arrest by Andrea. Later, she explains to Bruce that her father stole money from Valestra and was forced to return it; Valestra then demanded further payments and placed a bounty on Carl, forcing him to go into hiding with Andrea. As Bruce considers resuming his relationship with Andrea, he concludes that Carl Beaumont is the Phantom. However, Bruce takes another look at the photo of Carl and Valestra and recognizes one of Valestra's men as the Joker.
The Joker interrogates Reeves for information, believing that he is behind the Phantom's attempt to erase his underworld ties before poisoning him with his venom, which drives him insane. Reeves is taken to the hospital, where Batman interrogates him, and confesses that while formerly working as Carl's bookkeeper, he helped the Beaumonts escape, but revealed their location to Valestra in exchange for funding his first city council campaign. Both Batman and Joker deduce that the Phantom is Andrea, who intends to wipe out Valestra's mob for killing her father and robbing her of a future with Bruce.
Andrea tracks Joker, her father's killer, to his hideout in Gotham's abandoned World's Fair. They fight but are interrupted by Batman, who begs Andrea to stop, to no avail. Joker prepares to destroy the fair but is caught by Andrea, who salutes Batman as the explosives go off. Batman survives the explosion but finds no sign of either Andrea or the Joker.
Alfred later consoles Bruce in the Batcave, assuring him that Andrea could not have been helped, before finding Andrea's locket containing a photo of them together. A grieving Andrea leaves Gotham, and a saddened Batman, acquitted of the charges against him, resumes crime-fighting.
Technical data
Original title Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Country of Production United States of America
Year 1993
Duration 76 min
Gender animation, thriller, fantasy, drama, action, adventure
Regia Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm
Subject Bob Kane and Bill Finger (characters), Alan Burnett
Film script Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, Michael Reaves
Producer Benjamin Melniker, Michael Uslan
Producer executive Tom Ruegger
Production house Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Animation
Distribution in Italian Warner Home Video (1994)
Photography Sung Il Choi
Editor At Breitenbach
Music Shirley Walker
Art director Glen murakami
Original voice actors
Kevin ConroyBruce Wayne / Batman
Dana DelanyAndrea Beaumont
Stacy Keach: Ghost; Carl Beaumont
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.: Alfred Pennyworth
Mark HamillJoker
Hart BochnerArthur Reeves
Abe VigodaSalvatore Valestra
Robert CostanzoDetective Harvey Bullock
Dick MillerCharles "Chuckie" Sol
John P. RyanBuzz Bronski
Bob Hastings as Commissioner James Gordon
Italian voice actors
Fabrizio TemperiniBruce Wayne / Batman
Roberta PelliniAndrea Beaumont
Emilio Cappuccio: Ghost; Carl Beaumont
Julius Plato: Alfred Pennyworth
Sergio DiGiulio: Joker
Gianni Bersanetti: Arthur Reeves
Guido Cerniglia as Salvatore Valestra
Diego Regent: Detective Harvey Bullock[N 1]
Luigi Montini: Charles "Chuckie" Sol
Giorgio Gusso as Buzz Bronski
Source: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_-_La_maschera_del_Fantasma
