the best movies never made

ANARCHY_4_ALL

Actually I'll just quote it and repost it easier for everyone to see the edits.
ANARCHY_4_ALL said:
Rewriting my 1968 Batman film series again. Never got to finish writing the entire series. This time I will...

The Batman(1968)
Directed by Arthur Penn
Written by David Newman and Robert Benton
Cinematography by Burnett Guffey
Music Composed by Charles Strouse
A Warner Brothers Production

Starring:
Steve McQueen as Bruce Wayne/The Batman
David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth
Warren Beatty as Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent
Faye Dunaway as Vicky Vale
Gene Hackman as Detective James Gordon
Sidney Poitier as Lou "Fox" Finger
Anthony Hopkins as Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot
Al Pacino as Salvatore "The Boss" Maroni
Walter Slezak as District Attorney Rodger Caine
Chad McQueen as Child Bruce
Kent Smith as Dr. Thomas Wayne
Mary Wickes as Martha Wayne
Adam West as Joe Chill
Kurt Russel as Young Bruce

The film opens with the mythical origin story of Batman. Young Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered at the hands of a small-time crook(Adam West) as he attempts to mug them while leaving a movie theater. Bruce is traumatized by the event being powerless to stop the criminal. He vows to avenge their deaths by dedicating his mind and body to stopping crime in Gotham City. His butler and now guardian/surrogate father Alfred Pennyworth(David Niven) promises to help him accomplish this vow. A short montage is shown detailing this transformation showing a young Bruce graduating with the highest honors, travelling the world learning various martial arts, and becoming an accomplished race car driver.

Flash forward as Bruce(Steve McQueen) returns to Gotham City to take control of his family's corporation Wayne Enterprises. Bruce learns from his old friend, Harvey Dent(Warren Beatty), who rose to Assistant District Attorney that he is losing out to rampant corruption within the Justice Department and the Police Department of Gotham. He reveals that Gotham has been embroiled in an intense gang war between the Italian mafia led by Sal Maroni(Al Pacino) and the Penguin mob led by the aristocratic Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot(Anthony Hopkins). The unpredictable and sadistic Sal has taken control of the family after his father was recently murdered by the Penguin. Bruce dressed in a simple disguise ventures into Gotham's criminal underbelly in order to gain some intelligence on the gangs. Bruce injects himself upon a confrontation of Maroni's and the Penguin's men intentionally bringing himself into the conflict. Bruce manages to take on several of the gangsters before he is overwhelmed and is badly beaten by members of both gangs.

Awoken later by a detective, James "Jim" Gordon(Gene Hackman). Jim not recognizing Bruce as anyone frequenting the area, he questions his motives of being in the area. Through this conversation Bruce learns that Det. Gordon is a good honest cop trying to make a difference in the corrupted police force. In the middle of the conversation Bruce disappears while Gordon is momentarily distracted. Sometime afterwards Bruce makes his way to Wayne Enterprises for his first day as CEO. Bruce is shown to be very withdrawn from the dullness of the work. Until he stumbles upon the Research and Development division headed by a young scientist named Lou "Fox" Finger(Sidney Poitier). Fox introduces Bruce to some prototypes for armor, portable radio technology, weapons, and an experimental race car(a custom built Ford GT40). Another montage is shown of Bruce, Alfred, and Fox converting the prototypes into his well known Batsuit, Batarangs, Grappling Hook, and Batmobile. Then converting a cave under his mansion into the Batcave. Fox is curious of Bruce's motives but promises to keep their project a secret for Bruce. Bruce then sets out on his first night as the Batman.

He first stops a mugging eerily similar to the one that killed his parents. He soon manages to find himself in another conflict between the warring gangs. This time fully prepared as Batman he manages to take out both parties with utter ruthlessness. On the verge of killing one of the assailants Bruce has a flashback of a conversation with Alfred. In which Alfred assures him of his need to avenge his parents but that he must be careful that he may become the criminals he intends to stop. Bruce realizing his role releases the criminal as sirens begin to close in on the scene of the conflict. The next day, news media outlets surround the Gotham P.D. questioning the events of the conflict, included is star reporter Vicky Vale(Faye Dunaway). Everyone wants to know who is the mysterious "Batman" that all the gang-members insist captured them and left them for the police.

While Batman continues his war on both criminal organizations the police increasingly push against him. This culminates in an exciting car chase through Gotham's overpasses and dimly lit underpasses. We also see Vale investigating the criminals and the Batman. She bites off more than she can chew when she's abducted by some of Penguin's henchmen. Right before she's murdered though Batman rescues her. Batman reveals to her that with his deductive prowess he managed to find a link between both The Penguin and Sal Maroni, the District Attorney Rodger Caine(Walter Slezak). Batman tries to dissuade Vale from continuing pursuing the criminals or himself but Vale isn't interested. Batman then sets up a meeting between himself, Detective Gordon, and ADA Harvey Dent to discuss a proposal. Vale shows up uninvited to the meeting. Batman informs them that a meeting between the corrupt DA and both criminals will be taking place due to his interference in their organizations. The two rivals have decided on a truce to fight the common enemy of the Batman. Batman arrives at the meeting and an epic fight between him and the two gangs ensues. Detective Gordon and the GCPD arrive and apprehend the DA and Maroni for their crimes. While Batman pursues the Penguin who had escaped during the initial battle. Armed with his signature umbrella gun Penguin puts up a fight before Batman finally subdues him for the GCPD.

The next day Gordon and Dent take credit for the sting and deny the existence of the Batman. Vale breaks the story as well collaborating with Gordon and Dent's claims. Dent becomes DA and prepares for his first trial as DA, against Maroni. The Penguin is sentenced to Arkham Asylum. Batman finds there are still more and worse criminals to fight. Just before the credits roll Maroni is in his cell with a hidden package containing a mysterious bottle.
Click to expand...
 
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ANARCHY_4_ALL

Arthur Penn was heavily influenced by the French New Wave when making the Batman. Rapid camera movement and choppy editing accentuated the many action sequences. Despite the comic book source material Penn wanted a gritty realistic crime-drama tone. This was furthered by the cinematography of acclaimed noir specialist Burnett Guffey. He used an almost black and white lighting for most of the film. Charles Strouse's soundtrack was often times understated and quiet but bombastic and chaotic at others. Gotham City came to life by shooting on location in New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. A number of sets were also built on the Warner Bros. lot including the Bat Cave. Acclaimed stunt driver Carey Loftin supervised the special effects and coordinated the stunts. He, McQueen, and Bud Ekins created the most highly celebrated and awarded chase scenes ever seen in film. Loftin and McQueen worked with a team of Ford engineers led by who else than Carrol Shelby to customize a Mk. IV GT40 into the famous Batmobile. Special effects makeup artist Dick Smith's role in the first film was subtle but extraordinary, making McQueen young again and transforming Anthony Hopkins into the Penguin in particular. Another exciting crew member was McQueen's martial arts teacher and friend, Bruce Lee, who choreographed all the fight scenes and played several goons that McQueen beat up. The young cast stole the show from the veteran leads in particular the two actors who played the villains, Hopkins and Pacino. Hopkins managed to evoke both a comedic yet fearsome tone for his take on the character. Pacino controlled every scene his character was in displaying the unhinged psychosis of his character by extreme examples of both underacting and overacting, that worked surprisingly well. Arthur Penn set out to make the film as a kind of zeitgeist for the young generation of the counterculture, while he accomplished this. The film became a hit with the older generation as well with it's noir influence. Both critically and commercially acclaimed the film received several Academy nominations but the film didn't take any awards home. But there were more Batman film's to come. And Penn would head them up with the same cast and crew.
 

UCB79

I can't wait for the next installment! Also
am most interested to see who Anarchy is
your choice to play The Joker.
 

ANARCHY_4_ALL

So, I started typing up the Batman Returns and writing only three scenes I managed to type nearly as many words as in the whole post on the first movie. I'm gonna go ahead and post those super detailed scenes. But then I'm going to switch gears and just do a small outline of the rest of the plot. If I stayed at the same pace as those scenes it would take me too long and it would be way too long. Then I'll do small outlines for the plots of the third and fourth installments as well. Just so everyone can see how the story unfolds and then eventually I'll make a thread in the Writer's Forum with super detailed scene by scene outlines of each film. Gonna leave you guys with this snippet to mull over for a little while...

The Batman Returns(1970)
Directed by Arthur Penn
Written by David Newman and Robert Benton
Cinematography by Burnett Guffey
Music Composed by Charles Strouse
A Warner Brothers Production

Starring:
Steve McQueen as Bruce Wayne/The Batman
David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth
Warren Beatty as District Attorney Harvey Dent/Two-Face
Faye Dunaway as Vicky Vale
Gene Hackman as Detective James Gordon
Sidney Poitier as Lou "Fox" Finger
Jane Fonda as Silver St. Cloud
Gene Wilder as The Riddler
Anthony Hopkins as Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot
Al Pacino as Salvatore "The Boss" Maroni
Walter Slezak as Rodger Caine
Kurt Russel as Young Bruce
Patrick Swayze as Young Harvey

The film opens with Batman(Steve McQueen) standing on top of Wayne Tower looking down upon Gotham. Suddenly he leaps off and glides off the screen. We cut to Harvey Dent(Warren Beatty) sitting at his desk in his office. He appears to be very agitated at someone, mumbling something we can't quite hear to himself. Suddenly he yells, "I said no!", and quickly regains his composure. Just then his window bursts open with a breeze. He quickly stands up and walks over to close the window. Startled aback Batman enters through the still open window. Batman informs Dent that it is only him. Dent doesn't seem to be comforted by this. Dent tells Batman that Gordon has been asking him about Batman and wants to meet him at an address written on a small paper. Batman looks at it saying the address out loud and asks Dent, how the Maroni trial is progressing. Dent nearly has the same agitated look we first saw and begins yelling that Batman's influence is not helping. He explains half the evidence he has against Maroni is getting thrown out because they can't explain how they legally obtained it. And the other half he can't get the necessary warrants for as their is still corruption in the Justice Department. Noticing his own aggressive attitude again Dent transforms his tone back to his usual calmness. He then tells Batman that he may have one ace-in-the-hole though. Batman successfully comforts Dent this time by saying he doesn't want to know anything about it and makes his way towards the window. Dent looks down to see Gordon's note still on his desk, he grabs it and reaches out to hand it to Batman but he's already gone.

We then see a flashback sequence of a young Bruce(Kurt Russel) at a prep school. He sees a group a bullies picking on another student, it is a young Harvey Dent(Patrick Swayze). Bruce steps in and sees the bullies have stolen something from Harvey. Harvey begs the boys to give back his lucky coin. Bruce offers the bullies his lunch money in exchange, they accept and run away. Harvey thanks Bruce and they begin talking. Eventually Harvey begins discussing the bullies and his tone completely changes as he suggests causing them great harm. Bruce is clearly shocked by the statement but Harvey plays it off as a simple joke and the two continue on as the scene ends.

The next scene opens back in the present with Batman perched a top a building. He leaps off and glides towards a small abandoned building. Detective Gordon(Gene Hackman) is waiting for him on the rooftop of the building. Batman asks Gordon why he ask him to meet at an abandoned department store. He informs Batman that the murdered body of a homeless man was discovered with a package to Batman. It had a note saying to bring Batman to the return address and for only Batman to open the package or more people would die. The package's return address was for the old department store they were standing on. Batman inspects the package exterior and listens for any mechanical noises. Finally he slowly opens it, inside the small parcel is an even smaller envelope. Drawn on the envelope is a large green question mark. Inside is a set of room keys with attached green tags numbered 1-2-3. Also inside the envelope is a small note-card with a typed message, "You can go up or down, You can go up to down, You can go down to up, Never down to down, Where am I Batman". Gordon looks at Batman and asks him, "and what the hell does that mean". Batman quickly informs him that it is the basement. Batman and Gordon then enter the building and make their way down a stairwell to the basement. They see a set of closed double-doors down a hallway. Painted on the doors is another large green question mark and the number 1. Batman unlocks the doors with the corresponding key and slowly opens the doors. Inside is a long dark hallway and all the two can see is a faint green light around a corner. Batman pulls a small flashlight from his utility belt as the two make their way down the hall. Just as they approach the corner the double doors behind them slam shut and lock them in.
 
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ANARCHY_4_ALL

Where we left off...

With the doors sealed a projector begins playing around the corner. The projection is a man wearing a green hooded robe(Gene Wilder) he begins speaking through a loud system.

The Batman and Gordon then solve a riddle that helps them through a deathtrap the Riddler has built in the basement. Once they've solved it the doors open back up and the Riddler tells them they'll receive another riddle soon. We then get more exposition on Harvey and his troubled past with his abusive father. We see Harvey is dating Silver St. Cloud(Jane Fonda) and their relationship is being strained by Harvey's behavior seemingly brought on by the stress of the coming trial. The Riddler sends another riddle with another corpse and the press learns of this new serial killer. Vicky Vale(Faye Dunaway) decides to investigate the case but doesn't have any leads. She decides to seek information from the Penguin(Anthony Hopkins) incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, her one and only lead is that he has information about the serial killer. Then the Maroni(Al Pacino) trial begins, as Harvey feared the interference of the Batman is causing him problems. Then former DA Rodger Caine(Walter Slezak) takes the stand and Harvey grills the hell out of him. Just as it seems he's going to crack, Caine begins drinking his water and appears to be choking before he spits out some blood. Harvey shocked drops his coin and begins to pick it up just in front of Caine. As he does Caine drops the glass of "water"/acid covering half of Harvey's face and body. We then see Batman going through the Riddler's second deathtrap and eventually defeat it. He learns of the incident involving Harvey and that Maroni has escaped. He then rushes to see him in the hospital. We see Vale following up on the lead the Penguin gave her earlier. It's a very ominous meeting in a very secluded area. We cut back to Batman arriving at the hospital and sneaking into Harvey's room window. Harvey then attacks him claiming it was all his fault and that he will kill Maroni. Batman doesn't fight back and attempts only to talk to his friend. This has no effect as Harvey doesn't know Batman is Bruce and furthermore as Two-Face claims Harvey is no more. Just then several policemen who were standing guard rush in and Two-Face makes it out that Batman is attacking him. Batman makes his escape through the window and Two-Face escapes through the door in the confusion. We then see Gordon has created the iconic Bat-Symbol on top of GCPD headquarters. Batman shows up and makes a snarky remark about it. Gordon snarks back that it worked. He then informs Batman that another corpse has been found with another riddle. And the Riddler has captured Vale. He also says that Two-Face broke out some of Maroni's men and has no idea what he may be up to. Batman insists he go after Two-Face but Gordon states the obvious that Batman is better off rescuing Vale and stopping the Riddler. Gordon says that he will take care of Two-Face and Maroni. We then see Two-Face has forced Maroni's men into serving him, killing several of them with a coin-toss decision and scarifying those who join him. They are seen robbing banks affiliated with Maroni in an attempt to force Maroni into confrontation, where again we see Two-Face murder several enforcers. Cut to Batman making his way through an abandoned hotel filled with deathtraps. He eventually makes his way to the end where the Riddler is waiting, he can either apprehend him or save Vale. He chooses to save Vale but we see later that Batman thought ahead and several GCPD officers are waiting for the Riddler on his escape path. We then see Two-Face has caught up with Maroni at his hideout. An epic shootout ensues, only Two-Face and Maroni are left standing. Both out of bullets, they start beating the pulp out of each other. Two-Face gains the upper-hand and is on the verge of beating Maroni to death when Batman intervenes. Batman again tries to talk to his friend instead of fighting him. But again it is not working and Batman removes his mask revealing he is Bruce. Two-Face backs off and we see Harvey struggling to gain control. He claims however that it may be too late and Two-Face is a part of him. Bruce consoles him and tells him that he'll get him help. Gordon and the GCPD begin to arrive and Bruce puts the cowl back on.

Harvey is sent to Arkham Asylum for treatment. The Riddler is incarcerated at Blackgate Prison and his identity is still unknown. Maroni is in intensive care and his face is heavily bandaged. He awakes suddenly. Then we see Batman and Gordon on top of GCPD headquarters. Gordon congratulates Batman for stopping the villains but states that his work is never finished in Gotham. He tells Batman that a bomb-threat was mailed in and that it contained this, "a joker card".
 

ANARCHY_4_ALL

Leave you guys with another teaser while I write up another short outline.

The Batman: Dark Knight(1971)

Directed by Arthur Penn
Written by David Newman and Robert Benton
Cinematography by Burnett Guffey
Music Composed by Charles Strouse
A Warner Brothers Production

Starring:
Steve McQueen as Bruce Wayne/The Batman
David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth
Jack Nicholson as The Joker
Natalie Wood as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
Faye Dunaway as Vicky Vale
Gene Hackman as Captain James Gordon
Sidney Poitier as Lou "Fox" Finger
Jane Fonda as Silver St. Cloud
Warren Beatty as Harvey Dent/Two-Face
Gene Wilder as The Riddler/Mr. E Nigma
Anthony Hopkins as Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot
Al Pacino as Salvatore Maroni/Black Mask
Kurt Russel as Young Bruce
 
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ANARCHY_4_ALL

Hey guys, sorry I had a lot of RL stuff last week and weekend. I'll get the last two film outlines up sometime later this week. Just wondering what everyone thinks of casting a young Jack Nicholson for the Joker?
 
Ogrebear

Ogrebear

Taken from http://grahamabbottillustration.tumblr.com/

This is my idea and poster for an Indian Jones movie:

The Paramount logo dissolves to a mountain of trash in a dumpster next to a door that bursts open as Indiana Jones is thrown into the dark ally. A group of masked men step out and surround him. “Where is the canister Dr. Jones?” asks one of the men. “Where’s the reporter?” Indy demands. “She is quite safe…for now. I recommend you tell us where the canister is, or we will be forced to take you to our boss, who will SHRED you.” says the man. “You think I’m afraid of you and the rest of your pajama party here?.” says Indy. “You have a strong will, Dr. Jones, but like all men you are made of flesh and bone which can be easily broken.” replies the man. Suddenly a voice comes from somewhere in the alleyway. “Yeah? And what about shell?” The masked men are startled as they look for the origin of the voice. The lights in the ally are knocked out and we only see glimpses of katana, nunchuck, sai, and quarter staff, when sparks fly from the weapons as the masked men are all incapacitated. Indy lights a match to reveal the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles standing in the middle of the group of unconscious masked men. The Turtles step aside as Master Splinter approaches Indy. “Come Dr. Jones. We have much to discuss.”

tumblr_nbyc8aXse31sg9900o1_1280.jpg
 

Hammerbolt

Girls und panzer (2017) - the untold story of how a combined group of female operatives of the SOE and OSS crippled an entire panzer division, using clever sabotage and misdirection. Starring Angelina Jolie as the troubled CO, Jessica Biel as the know-every-part mechanic who just loves to tinker with anything that moves, Kate Beckinsale as the demolition expert with a nervous tick, Charlize Theron as the sniper who prefers machine guns and Emma Watson as the comunications master.
 

CountDVB

Akira: A biographical film about the life and works of Akira Kurosawa

The Rocketeer: A documentary about different "rocketeers" or rocket engineers in human existence.
 

Homer Simpson & the Brain

50 Shades of Grey - An action comedy about a superhero and a supervillainess who managed to hide their secret identities so well they fell in love and got married, completely oblivious to their other half's second job until their respective archenemies crashed their second honeymoon.
 
Driftless

Driftless

Donor
Hound of the Baskervilles - 1939 (Twentieth Century Fox)

  • Sherlock Holmes - Basil Rathbone
  • Dr John Watson - Claude Rains
  • Sir Henry Baskerville - Robert Donat
  • Beryl Stapleton - Brenda Marshall
  • Stapleton - Richard Greene
  • Dr James Mortimer - Lionel Atwill
  • Barryman - John Carradine
  • Mrs Hudson - Mary Gordon

A fairly faithful filming of Conan Doyles famous Sherlock Holmes tale. Particularly noted for the strong cast, with great interplay between Rathbone's cold and self-assured Holmes and Raine's affable, quick-witted, and stout-hearted Watson. The success of the "Hound" led to a series of thirteen more Holmes pictures with the Rathbone & Raines pairing. Some of the stories were based on Conan Doyle's works and some (during the war years) were original screenplays. As the series went on, recurring characters were added to the stock company:
  • Nigel Bruce as pompous and often bumbling Inspector Lestrade
  • Hillary Brooke as Mary Morstan-Watson (Mrs. John Watson)
  • Arthur Shields as the very capable Inspector Gregson.
  • Akim Tamiroff as Oblanski (a Holmes contact with the London underworld)
  • Mary Gordon continued in the role of Mrs. Hudson
 
unclepatrick

unclepatrick

Driftless said:
Hound of the Baskervilles - 1939 (Twentieth Century Fox)

  • Sherlock Holmes - Basil Rathbone
  • Dr John Watson - Claude Rains
  • Sir Henry Baskerville - Robert Donat
  • Beryl Stapleton - Brenda Marshall
  • Stapleton - Richard Greene
  • Dr James Mortimer - Lionel Atwill
  • Barryman - John Carradine
  • Mrs Hudson - Mary Gordon

A fairly faithful filming of Conan Doyles famous Sherlock Holmes tale. Particularly noted for the strong cast, with great interplay between Rathbone's cold and self-assured Holmes and Raine's affable, quick-witted, and stout-hearted Watson. The success of the "Hound" led to a series of thirteen more Holmes pictures with the Rathbone & Raines pairing. Some of the stories were based on Conan Doyle's works and some (during the war years) were original screenplays. As the series went on, recurring characters were added to the stock company:
  • Nigel Bruce as pompous and often bumbling Inspector Lestrade
  • Hillary Brooke as Mary Morstan-Watson (Mrs. John Watson)
  • Arthur Shields as the very capable Inspector Gregson.
  • Akim Tamiroff as Oblanski (a Holmes contact with the London underworld)
  • Mary Gordon continued in the role of Mrs. Hudson
Click to expand...

My Alternate History idea was Errol Flynn as Holmes for the 39 Hound and Adventure of Sherlock Holmes.
When He left Robert Donat as Holmes for the latter movies which take place in Victoria London instead of modern day as in OTL.
 

UCB79

Homer Simpson & the Brain said:
I didn't really think about the movie's cast, but I would go for younger people.
Click to expand...

Starring Christopher Pratt as the superhero,
Gal Gadot as the supervillaness, & James
Brolin as their adversary. Playing the city's
mayor is Adam West. And look out for Jim
Carrey in a supporting role as the villainess'
henchman.
 
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Homer Simpson & the Brain

UCB79 said:
James Brolin as their adversary.
Click to expand...

Unless he's playing twins at the opposite ends of the moral spectrum, there's still a vacant spot in the cast because each of the protagonists has a nemesis of their own. The fact they ended up crashing the happy couple's second honeymoon together was just a coincidence.

Said archenemies are also much more archetypal examples of superhero/supervillain than the two protagonists themselves, because the husband routinely prunes his own rogue gallery of anyone who would get the chair, if they were sentenced, and the wife robs corrupt CEOs of their whole companies to get the funds needed to pay her way into the Oval Office, the first step of her plan to take over the world.

They met each other for the first time at her civilian workplace: he, the honest businessman facing unfair competition against a crooked one, and she, the president of the law firm he hired to sue his opponent into oblivion.
 
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