The Dark Knight (soundtrack): History and Key Facts

The Dark Knight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the 2008 film of the same name, which is a sequel to Christopher Nolan's 2005 film Batman Begins. The soundtrack was released on July 15, 2008, in three editions: CD, limited edition CD digipak, and digital download. The 2-CD Special Edition was released on December 9, along with the DVD. A limited edition 180-gram vinyl LP was released on August 12. The soundtrack was composed and arranged by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony and recorded in April.

Just like Batman Begins and later The Dark Knight Rises, the main motif always consists in just two notes, played by horns and accompanied by strings, representing Batman's pain and guilt.

In many tracks is also reprised Batman's main action theme ("Molossus"), first used in Batman Begins and later in The Dark Knight Rises.

Zimmer was responsible for creating Joker's theme, while James Newton Howard focused on Harvey Dent/Two-Face theme.

Source and attribution

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