The Lego Batman Movie
Year:
2017
Running time:
104 mn
Nationality:
USA
Language:
English
Genre:
Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Director:
Chris McKay
Producer:
Vertigo Entertainment, Warner Animation Group, Warner Bros. Animation
Screenwriter/s:
Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Jared Stern, John Whittington
Cast:
Summary of the film
There are big changes brewing in Gotham City, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker's hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up. (Filmaffinity)
King Tut in The Lego Batman Movie (Screenshot by the author)
A scene taken from the Batman TV series (1966) and inserted into the animated film: Batman is dancing surrounded by ancient Egyptian elements (Screenshot by the author)
Egyptomania narratives or motifs
In The Lego Batman Movie, the main antagonist of the story is The Joker. Nonetheless, a plethora of other nemeses of Batman make their appearance in the film, including King Tut. This villain, inspired by Tutankhamun and dressed up like a pharaoh, is here represented with a series of elements that immediately recall ancient Egypt, especially in his clothes. In fact, this character is shown wearing a garment decorated with golden elements and, even more importantly, the nemes. However, the most curious detail in his apparel is the presence of two snakes in the king’s hands – one “real”, the other in the shape of a sceptre. The use of serpents and serpent-like objects associated with such a character implies that this animal is considered a symbol that can be easily linked to ancient Egypt. Most probably, this mental connection between snakes and ancient Egypt is not related to serpent deities (usually not so well-known among the wider public), but, perhaps, it is a reminiscence of the famous alleged cause of Cleopatra’s death.
This villain is not the only motif related to ancient Egypt present in The Lego Batman Movie. In fact, although this is an animated film, some clips are taken from actual movies. Therefore, in some cases, real actors are visible in the film. This is the case with a scene taken from the Sixties TV series, where Batman (starring Adam West) is dancing in an Egyptian style room, surrounded by people dressed up like ancient Egyptians. The scene is visible only for a few seconds, but the peculiarity of the setting is remarkable: a girl with a wig (quite similar to one of the wigs worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film Cleopatra) and a dress full of golden and shiny elements, a couple of men clothed as ancient Egyptian-like soldiers, a few other people with broad collars (similar to usekh collars), golden icons in the image of Egyptians deities, and temple-like columns are all elements that clearly recall ancient Egypt at first glance. All these motifs are employed to help the public immediately refer to pharaonic times.
This villain is not the only motif related to ancient Egypt present in The Lego Batman Movie. In fact, although this is an animated film, some clips are taken from actual movies. Therefore, in some cases, real actors are visible in the film. This is the case with a scene taken from the Sixties TV series, where Batman (starring Adam West) is dancing in an Egyptian style room, surrounded by people dressed up like ancient Egyptians. The scene is visible only for a few seconds, but the peculiarity of the setting is remarkable: a girl with a wig (quite similar to one of the wigs worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film Cleopatra) and a dress full of golden and shiny elements, a couple of men clothed as ancient Egyptian-like soldiers, a few other people with broad collars (similar to usekh collars), golden icons in the image of Egyptians deities, and temple-like columns are all elements that clearly recall ancient Egypt at first glance. All these motifs are employed to help the public immediately refer to pharaonic times.
Author: Valentina Santini
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