I haven’t seen all of what DC has to offer from their animated film library, but I’d wager you’d be hard pressed to find a movie within it that opens as violently as Batman Knightfall: Part 1. This is a Batman film that earns its R-rating within minutes, setting up the dark, brutal tone for the story to come, and grabbing the viewer’s attention in ways that most movies only hope they can do.
Unsurprisingly, it’s not Batman (voiced by Anson Mount) himself who sets the bloody bar, but Azrael (voiced by Pablo Schreiber), absolutely carving up members of the Kobra Cult for their sins – with the one at the time of attack being human trafficking. In fact, it’s Batman who shows up and attempts to stop Azrael, and while I’ll never say I’ve been disappointed when Batman shows up, this would be about as close to it as I’ll come, because man was Azrael dispensing some well-deserved justice.
Knightfall: Part 1 is the first in a trilogy that will bring to life the 1993-94 “Knightfall” arc that spanned across a plethora of titles under the Batman wing of DC comics at the time, and it’s one of the most memorable crossover events in DC history. The breaking of The Bat, as it would be, has been adapted upon in certain forms in the decades since, with the Animated Series never going the distance, and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises bringing to live action; however, none have been as faithful to the arc as Knightfall: Part 1, which is spectacular to see, as it’s a story deserving of such a wonderfully animated telling.
The movie is brisk, at a mere 78-minutes in length, and I wouldn’t have been against it being closer to the 90-minute mark simply out of desire to see more. That said, the shorter length fits the story, which sees Batman running himself ragged after there’s an explosion at Arkham Asylum that allows many of the Caped Crusader’s rogue gallery to escape and run amok in Gotham City. Days go by without it being clear to the viewer that time has passed, though it’s not done in a jarring sense, it’s simply just expressed by characters pointing it out to an exhausted Batman, or…no, it’s basically just people constantly telling Batman that he really needs to take a nap.
And though it may sound like one, that’s not a jab at the story! It may happen repeatedly, but it never actually sounds like it’s said in the same way, as different characters express it in different ways and it being said from so many angles, all while Batman ignores it, highlighting that the harder he tries to maintain control, the more he’s actually losing it. The way the time isn’t obvious helps get across just how crazy things have been and where Batman’s mindset is at, which is just good storytelling that’s handled extremely well by Director Jeff Wamester and Screenwriter Jeremy Adams.
Then we’ve got the film’s antagonist, Bane (voiced by Michael Mando), who has also seen many interpretations over the years, and again, this is probably the most faithful to the original that we’ve seen yet. Bane has always been a huge foe to Batman, not only due to his size, but also his smarts – something that villains of his stature aren’t often given, as it’s unfair to have both brains and brawn, isn’t it?
Not only is this Bane in a formidable way we haven’t truly seen before, but we also get a deeper dive into why he’s doing what he’s doing. After the insane opening sequence between Azrael and Batman, we then jump years into the past to the island of Santa Prisca, where a mother gives birth to a baby boy and the two are sentenced to pay for the crimes of her revolutionary husband/his father and serve out his prison term in abysmal conditions.
We spend roughly 20 minutes watching Bane’s origin play out and it’s fantastic. The story is pulled from “Batman: The Vengeance of Bane”, which was a prelude to the Knightfall arc, introducing Bane to reader’s months in advance. Including this in the film shows that the story – at least so far – is being done justice, with time and care being taken to make sure that everyone’s intentions are known and not simply jumping ahead and having Bane in Gotham with minimal explanation or a simple exposition dump during a face-to-face with one of the dynamic duo. That wouldn’t be faithful to the Knightfall story and Wamester and Adams are proving that doing so is one of the highest priorities on their “to do” list when making this adaptation.
For Batman fans, Batman Knightfall: Part 1 is an exceptional piece of animated filmmaking that brings the classic comic event to life like never before. The voice acting is solid throughout, the animation is gorgeous, and the violence is at times unrelenting, though never unwarranted or gratuitous. This film ends at a perfect – and obvious – moment for those who know what’s coming, and for those who don’t, this film should be added to your collection at your earliest convenience, and you’ll learn what I’m talking about the fun way, by experiencing it for the first time! The second part is due out before the end of the year, with the third and final part expected in 2027, and if the next two installments live up to what Knightfall: Part 1 delivers (and I’d have no reason to believe they won’t) then buckle up your utility belts, because we’ve got one hell of an animated ride ahead of us!
4K Blu-ray Video and Audio Review:
The film looks excellent in 4K and should be the way you watch it if you have the ability. The blacks are deep and rich, which is expected but still great to see given how much of the film takes place in darker locations. Then there’s the vibrance of the flames and explosions throughout as well, which are a sharp contrast to the shadows. Right from the start we see just how spectacular things look in Dolby Vision with Azrael’s flaming gauntlet-mounted blades that tear through enemies like butter. The wonderful work done by the animators is highlighted beautifully in this 4K transfer of the film, so kudos to those involved and Warner Bros. for the top tier format.
On the audio side of things we’ve got a bit simpler DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that doesn’t hammer home the action like Dolby Atmos would, but it’s also nothing to scoff at. While an Atmos mix to match Dolby Vision would be nice, the 5.1 mix still fills the room with the proper setup, and the dialogue is still clean and clear, front and center, which is crucial if you’ve ever experienced a film with a poor dialogue mix. So overall, these two deliver a strong one-two punch when it comes to an outstanding home viewing experience.
Special Features:
Batman needs a Robin – This featurette comes in at 7-minutes in length and we hear from a number of the cast and crew talking about how crucial Robin is to Batman as a whole. He’s not just a sidekick, but he’s his moral compass. They touch upon the different Robin’s that have been with Batman to this point, with Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake (the one that’s currently alongside him in the film) being the three. It’s a solid piece, and honestly, I’d love there to be more featurettes on the disc that dive deeper into these characters.
Breaking the Bat: Adapting Knightfall – We hear from most of the same cast and crew who this time speak about the Knightfall arc, how they want to do it justice, the decisions behind certain animation styles and Batman’s look for the film. It’s just a fun 10-minute featurette that fans will be happy to watch, and again, hearing the love and respect all these people have for the character just leaves me wanting to see more.
Disclaimer: A review copy of this Blu-ray was sent to me to cover in honest and truthful fashion.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents Batman Knightfall: Part 1. Directed By: Jeff Wamester. Written by: Jeremy Adams. Starring: Anson Mount, Michael Mando, Pablo Schreiber, Jack Griffo, Bruce Boxleitner, David Dastmalchian, Jessica Camacho, Adriana Isabel. Running time: 78 Minutes. Rating: R. Released on 4K Blu-ray: Sept. 8, 2026.
About Brendan Campbell
