The Dark Knight is a 2008 American superhero / action film co- written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character, Batman, the film is part of Nolan’s Batman film series and a sequel to 2005’s Batman Begins.

Christian Bale once again embodies the man behind the mask in "The Dark Knight." The film reunites Bale with director, Nolan and takes Batman across the world in his quest to fight a growing criminal threat. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman has been making headway against local crime...until a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker (Heath Ledger) unleashes a fresh reign of chaos across Gotham City. To stop this devious new menace--Batman's most personal and vicious enemy yet--he will have to use every high-tech weapon in his arsenal and confront everything he believes.

Australian born actor, Heath Ledger, who died in January, 2008 from a toxic combination of prescription drugs, won a posthumous Academy Award for his powerful performance as arch villian, The Joker. "The Dark Knight" broke several box office records and received both popular and critical accolades, especially with regard to Ledger's performance as the Joker.