The Bat Motif Analysis

After a brief interaction between Bruce and Rachel, once again a tracking shot is seen, this time following Bruce’s movements. Visually, Nolan as already established a sense of confusion as the viewer struggles to keep their focus on any one character, and that is all that the scene has accomplished - conveying Rachel’s innocent confusion by instigating a similar emotion in the viewer. However, it is the score which moulds this confusion into a sense of tension. The gradual crescendo leaves the pattern unresolved as the notes do not move from D and F. Thus, an expectance of change in sound is created, which in turn influences the viewer to expect a visual change as well. However, there is still no resolution. The Bat Motif increases in volume

That said, this is not the moment at which Bruce realises his fate, but rather a moment of pure fear that Bruce will look back on later. For this reason, when Bruce faces the bats, the ostinato is not resolved. There is once again a crescendo, with the brass section playing hairpin crescendos and diminuendos, beginning on a single unison note but on the second iteration splitting into a chord. However, the overarching theme is still the same. This shows that at this point in time Bruce is still a child, overcome with fear, but the French horns and the timpani hint that something larger, and more dangerous will consume

In this variation, the original ostinato is played alongside long, drawn out crescendos by the French horns and trombones. The theme ends with a large C major chord scored for the entire brass orchestra. Throughout the film, the bat motif is in several minor keys, but when moments of courage, pride, or victory are seen in Batman, the major IV chord of the relative major key is present. Although the chord is major, the overall tonality of the music is still minor. This sheds light on an interesting extended musical metaphor which works in conjunction with the evolution of crime in Gotham - The major chord reflects Bruce and Batman’s