I was watching Batman (1989), and Jack Nicholson was playing the Joker. I thought he was pretty good at it, and I did't really notice for some reason, he also played Two Face in a future Batman Movie as well. I was wondering in your opinions, Which actor, Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger played the better part, when they played t"The Joker"?
[question posted by firstcontact1990]
responses and comments:
I never used to see the batman movies as i never enjoy them. But i saw the last one "the dark knight" and liked it very much. Especially, as everyone talk about, acting of Heath Ledger. He has done it outstandingly well. Also, the fight scenes were amazing. That's the only movie i thought of watching among the batman series. [almightyonline]
You surely did say it right. Many feedback that Heath Ledger did an incredible job in playing the role of the Joker and he has amazed everyone on the way he play the role of a psycho maniac which in this case is the Joker. lol [marctiu]
I still feel his character in "The Dark Knight" is the best. Heath Ledger was simply amazing. He simply lived the character. Its really unfortunate that he had to leave the world so soon. [jas24s]
Simply the best role he played over the years. I believe many was amazed by his performance in portraying the role of Joker. He did a very well job on that, and I give him credit for that. I agree that it is too bad he has too leave. I suppose that they will find another person to play the role of the Joker if they decided to continue The Dark Knight. [marctiu]
Jack didn't play Two-face. Tommy Lee Jones did. I liked Ledger's Joker much more but those two Jokers are 2 totally different characters in my opinion. It's the way they're written and how director wanted them to be and Heath was just perfect for Nolan's Joker. [Bionicman]
I was going to point out that it was Tommy Lee Jones too lol. The films Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger were in were extremely different despite being Batman films. I think both did an excellent job in the respective genres. Nicholson's role was a lot more humorous, whereas Ledger was required to play a much darker character. [magickat]
I prefer Heath Ledger's Joker. You can still see Nicholson under his Joker, but you can not even see Ledger under his joker. That's what I call total immersion into character. And TDK's joker is so well written and so excellently acted that it comes alive and haunt people's subconscious. Some of them are even compelled to watch TDK over and over again just to see its Joker. Seriously! [Zenstrive]
I agree with you. I still watch TDK up to now. It's a classic super hero movie and one of the main reason why it stood on top is because of Heath's performance. I wish he had more appearances in TDK. Now we won't see his brilliance again. :( [shadow41]
That is a very difficult question. Both pulled off the performances of their lives (to that point for Nicholson, I think he was great in a few good men), and I don't think I could possible pick which one was better. I think that we think of Jack because he was the face of Joker for so many years. Sorry, I don't think that I can answer that. [thegreatdebater]
In terms of how they play the character, both are good. But in terms of how Joker is portrayed in the movie, I like it from Heath Ledger. The movie "The Dark Knight", I think is the best Batman movie so far. I like how the story goes and the characters that are portrayed. I love the movie. [sinnedsejatnom]
Yes indeed. The Dark Knight is the best batman movie ever. It is thrilling and dark. The Joker is terrifying. He is a master of destruction. I'd love to see their director Mr. Nolan come with another great Batman movie. But I doubt it can exceed the tremendous success of TDK in terms of acting and in the box office. [shadow41]
I have seen both films and I really do like Heath Ledger's performance on Dark Knight. With his captivating performance I almost forgot that the main character of the film was Christian Bale. Maybe viewers might fall into his character because it was the hype of his tragic and untimely death... but you cannot deny the fact that it was his best film and he just made an outstanding performance as a joker. The way he execute the scene and his portrayal of the character was just a phenomenon and it made a mark in film industry. He was actually one of my favorite villain in films I've seen. Its sad though, he was gone too soon. cry [danitykane]
Jack didn't play Two Face. Mr. Jones did. One of the men in black. :) Well about the joker, I'm definitely picking up Heath's Joker. It was awesome. He played it perfectly. He stole the movie. I was really devastated by his death. :( Really. Too bad we won't see him again as the joker. He's won an Oscar for portraying the Joker. I guess that alone should answer your question [shadow41]
Yea remember now... [firstcontact1990]
I haven't watched The Dark Knight... so i can't compare the performance of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger... but i heard and read that Heath Ledger did a phenomenal job in portraying the character... but i also like Jack Nicholson because he is such a great actor... can be anyone who he wants to be... [aseretdd]
Personally, I would prefer Jack Nicolson as a joker. He was more of really villain type of person on batman movie. But, Heath Ledger has great act on that movie, I will give him a applause for that. [clorissa123]
Heath Ledger was awful. He just smacked his lips a lot, looked crazy and wore a lot of make-up. I'm sorry, but anyone could do that. And anyone should be able to see how easy/stupid it is. Jack Nicholson played a realistic Joker that actually looked right and didn't have some retarded origin story. Also, Heath Ledger being dead does not make him a good actor. I mean, come on. What else was he even in? A Knight's Tale? OOOOOoooooOOooohhh... [stevenbb103]
I don;' have idea about this movie because i have never seen . But I watched dark knight and definitely Joker(Heath Ledger) was ever best negative role I have seen. [kapil2703]
You mean you haven't watched the batman movie with Jack as the Joker? It's a good movie and his acting was great. I thought he was perfect as the joker because of his smile. haha. But then that change when I saw Heath's Joker. It was insane. [shadow41]
i don't remember this batman...mm maybe i've never seen this film [codris]
jack nicholson is one of my favourite actors and played a brilliant performance in batman however heath ledger is just head and shoulders above the rest, it has been rumoured that it was his role as the joker that was so dark and disturbing that it was a contribution to his death, his performance scares the hell out of me. brilliant! [stockfctommy]
Well, people also dont seem to take into consideration, both Leger and Nicholson, played the role twenty years apart so, technologically its goona look diff. Although I havent seen the Dark Knight, I do think the original Joker is best. [firstcontact1990]
The first batman edition came more than 19 to 20 years ago, and then the tastes were different, and Jack Nicholson was considered a good Joker. Todays youngsters think that Heath ledger made a good Joker. As a person who had seen both the Batman films, in my opinion, both the Jokers were good. The biggest plus point for Heath Ledger was the sympathy factor.As soon as he died, people began to say he was one of the best actors. [rameshkumaar57]
I don't think it's just because of the sympathy. He was really a very good actor. Very promising. Perhaps he doesn't belong yet to elites but he's one foot there. If only he was given more time. [shadow41]
I think Heath Ledger did a better Joker character than Jack Nicholson. Heath really made the Joker character more spookier and scary. I thought he was very deserving of the Oscar win for that role. I didn't know that Jack also did Two Face. [nijolechu]
I was wrong, Jack didnt do Two-Face, I forgot that, It was Tommy Lee Jones. [firstcontact1990]
well, they were both good - different, but good. Nicholson's was more "classic" Joker, more on the original creation/reason for Joker On the other hand, Ledger's was a truly GREAT Joker, crazy, I think there is definitely something to say about the new series of movies that are darker than earlier ones. [ElicBxn]
I'm really sorry my answer would be very one-sided since I like Heath Ledger a lot (from 10 Things I Hate About You to The Patriot to A Knight's Tale to Four Feathers to Brokeback Mountain to The Dark Knight, ahahahah...) I know he would have done more beautiful movies had he not died so young. His Joker was like a real deal of a psycho maniac and who would not love that nurse uniform on him and his magic tricks. [blue_thr3e]
It is a tie. Jack's joker was more fun. But that's the way he was written. Heath's joker was darker and more evil. I love them both. The Dark Knight was a better film but I can't fault the first Batman film. It was great too. I know this sounds like a cop out but I like them both. [sarahruthbeth22]
I would have to say Heath Ledger. I think that he was one of the if not greatest Jokers in the history of Batman movies... but I just wish he was still around to make another! [StonedEmoKid]
I think Jack Nicholson's Joker was a bit overrated and I like Heath's Joker better. However, don't get me wrong, Jack's movie "As Good As It Gets" is one of my all time favorites. [AD1970]
What I would like to know is how was the DC's joker. Did he have some sense of humor or was he just creepy and dark? Heath ledger played Joker very well but I don't agree that it was his best role or it was the best joker adoption. People don't tolerate much the opposition of famous idea (just like in TDK wink) so I'm not going to convey my dissatisfaction, all I can say is the characters were all very suitable to the movie theme... and Jack Nicholson didn't get that benefit of technology is true too. [hora_fugit]
I think that Jack Nicholson is the better actor for this part "The Joker". His expression is somehow properer for this part. His look is somehow crazy and "the Joker" is exactly that!!! [nautilus33]
I never saw all of the new Batman that Heath Ledger played The Joker but I loved Jack Nicolson playing that character and I can't imagine that I would like Heath Ledger more. [cerebellum]
I think they both did a pretty good job but Jack is known for his horror movie called the shining so it was extra good with him as a joker I think. I think both did a great job, I even like jim carry as a joker in one of the movies :D [tixepower]
Most people forget Jim Carey as Joker, I dont think peole have mentioned that. [firstcontact1990]
as much as i usually like nicholson,i'm gonna have to say ledger. if only for the fact dark knight was more like the comic and not "funny" batman. i hate the joke batman's like the 1966 series,because honestly,how can you make humor of a story that starts with a kid's parents gunned down in front of him? as far a voice goes,i have to give it to hamill. i can't believe that's mark hamill on the cartoon.lol [scarlet_woman]
I prefer Heath Ledger one, though I think it's because The Dark Knight are a notch better in terms of quality than Batman. Ledger was given a wide space to explore his role and given a better script than Jack's time. I am sure Nicholson will also be awesome if he plays Joker in The Dark Knight. [sophisticated_boy]
I liked both batman films, and enjoyed watching both actors take on the role of what I think is the greatest comic book villain of all time. [EdTv00]
Jack Nicholson played a good joker if you compare him to earlier comics, but Heath Ledger played him very well as the darker side like in Frank Millers The Dark Knight Returns. Also what movie was Jack Nicholson Two-Face? I think you are thinking of Tommy Lee Jones. [samboni13]
I was thinking of Tommy Lee Jones.... [firstcontact1990]