The date is imprinted on my mind – 11 August 1989.
All over Edinburgh, mysterious bill posters had begun to appear across the city. The golden yellow oval with a metallic bat at its center heralded the arrival of a new kind of superhero film. In many ways, Batman (1989) reinvented the character for a mainstream audience. The public’s imagination had long been shaped by the campy 1960s television series and feature film, both cultural touchstones. But by the late 1980s, the time was ripe for a grittier, more cinematic presentation.
Now, DC in Concert is taking the film on tour, pairing it with Danny Elfman’s iconic score performed live. I remember sitting in the Odeon cinema on Lothian Road, the first ominous and mysterious notes resounding, setting the tone for a new era of Batman on the big screen. Fans in Edinburgh will soon have the unique opportunity to experience the film with a live orchestra performing Elfman’s cinematic masterpiece in February. Edinburgh, with its gothic grandeur, seems the perfect city for such an event. On a murky day, it could easily stand in for Gotham City.
Steve Cook, the driving force behind the DC in Concert series, admitted he was initially unsure about bringing this particular Batman film back. “It’s over 35 years old now. When we started this project, I wanted to focus on the recent Batman films, but people insisted, ‘You have to do the 1989 film.’ I was surprised, but this film means so much to people. Fans show up in full Batsuits, others in suits emblazoned with the Batman logo. Parents bring their kids—there’s a sense of community and nostalgia that spans generations.”
A crucial aspect of this enduring appeal is the film’s unforgettable music. Danny Elfman’s orchestral soundtrack shifts effortlessly from gentle and mysterious to galloping and intense in mere seconds, providing much of the film’s atmosphere. “We present it with a 50-piece orchestra,” Cook explains. “It’s something people haven’t experienced before, and it allows them to see the film in a whole new way. When Elfman’s name appears on screen, the audience erupts in cheers—his music is like another character in the film. The conductor and musicians really have to dig deep. Sometimes, the audience gets so engrossed in the score, they forget about the film altogether.”
The partnership between director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman had already proven successful with Beetlejuice and has remained strong for forty years. At the time, critics and fans alike doubted Michael Keaton’s suitability for Batman, with tens of thousands of protest letters sent to Warner Bros. Burton, however, had faith in Keaton, whose unsettling performance in Beetlejuice convinced him the actor was perfect for the role. Burton’s choice resulted in a box office smash that blazed a trail for the modern superhero genre. “I think the film kicked down the door for superhero movies,” Cook says. “It started a whole new culture, but it’s also just a fantastic film with an incredible soundtrack.”
Alongside Elfman’s score, the soundtrack also features songs by Prince, whose funk-infused contributions, including “Batdance” and “Partyman,” became iconic in their own right and brought an of-the-moment flavour and what also proved to be a timeless quality to Gotham’s world.
The film’s star power extended beyond Keaton. David Bowie was reportedly considered for the Joker, a fascinating what-if, but the role ultimately went to Jack Nicholson. Nicholson delivered a definitive performance, portraying the Joker with a mix of playful menace and dark charisma that audiences loved. “I think you could say Jack Nicholson is the Joker,” says Cook, referencing a role also memorably played by the late Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix. “During the film, there’s a classical waltz—‘Waltz to the Death’—which is probably my favorite part of the score. That sequence works spectacularly well with a live orchestra. Scenes like that, the Batmobile’s first appearance, or the iconic ‘I’m Batman’ line, send the audience into a frenzy. It’s emotional and a lot of fun.”
The Joker’s chilling dance is with Vicki Vale, played by former Bond girl Kim Basinger, while the late Jack Palance impresses as underworld boss Carl Grissom. This darker vision of Batman began when Michael Uslan and Benjamin Melniker bought the rights to the character in the late 1970s. It took a decade for their vision—more in tune with the original comics—to reach the screen. “I spoke to Michael Uslan,” Cook adds. “Batman was cool underground, but that film made him a mainstream icon. It’s been part of our culture for decades. Uslan was instrumental in bringing that version to life, and it’s fascinating to see how the character has evolved since.”
Ultimately, Cook dreams of presenting Batman (1989) in a castle. But for now, Edinburgh’s EICC will transform into Gotham for what promises to be a memorable night. As the orchestra swells and the shadows gather, there may be no better city than Edinburgh—with its brooding skyline, gothic spires, and misty streets—to experience the dark and hypnotic magic of Batman. For generations of fans, this is a fresh way to experience the 1989 film. Perhaps one day the Batsignal will shine over Edinburgh Castle itself.
But for now, if you want to feel the thrill of Gotham brought to life, there’s no better way than experiencing Batman (1989) with a live orchestra in Edinburgh this February.
