Batcave (Batman Forever/Batman & Robin)

The Batcave
General Information
Official name:	The Batcave
First Appearance:	Batman Forever
Locale:	Gotham City

The Batcave was the lair and base of operations of Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Discovered by the former after he fell into the cave system as a child, the cave was used to store their equipment and vehicles.

History

Origins

During the wake for his parents, Bruce Wayne discovered the Batcave when he ran out into the grounds of his ancestral home. After falling into the tunnels, he was confronted by a Giant Bat, which he took as inspiration for how he'd strike fear into the hearts of criminals. After becoming Batman, Bruce set up his base in the tunnels, building over the foundations to build a base of operations. The Batcave housed the equipment used, including the Batcomputer, Batmobile, and a vault for the Batsuit and gadgets.

Layouts

• Destruction of the Batcave
• 1997 redesign

The Batcave was accessed through a rotating wall in Wayne Manor's silver closet, the only room in the mansion that was kept locked. The cave could also be reached via a secret tunnel system from Bruce Wayne's Office at Wayne Enterprises, through which he rode down in a oil pipline rocket. The cave was also shown to have a canal inside of it, which provided access to the sea for the Batboat and the air for the Batwing. The cave featured a rotating turntable that rose out of the floor that held the Batmobile, and a large dome-like structure where Bruce's traditional Batsuits were stored. A secret workbench area also housing the Sonar Batsuit prototype located under a tarp and other work-in-progress equipment.

New Batmobile launch pad

The Batcave was upgraded with a few neon lights beaming out from the floor, light bouncing off the water below is reflected on the cave walls. On the whole, the new Batcave is extremely similar in layout to the previous version. The Batmobile tunnel now has more jagged ridges on the circular archways. The turntable that held the New Batmobile is also upgraded, this is mainly where the new light sources are from. A capsule that contained Robin's Redbird rose out of the turntable. At the workbench Bruce quickly whipped up Ice Armor coverings for the Bat-Family costumes.

Batcomputer

• 1995
• 1997 redesign

The computer monitor was originally hidden behind this bronze Bat-Emblem when not in use

The main Batcomputer monitor was hidden behind the large Batemblem in the Batcave. It only briefly seen while Bruce is debating with Dick Grayson after being rescued by him. It appeared more prominently in an extended version of the scene where GNN anchor Kenneth Frequency pleads for Batman to retire. The Batcomputer is ultimately destroyed by the Riddler when he pauses to throw one of his Green Bat-Bombs directly at it, as if he is pitching a baseball. Looney Tunes sound effects are heard during this notable moment.

Bruce studies the Cryo-Suit of his enemy

The Batcomputer used in the 1997 is similar in design to the previous movie but it actually plays a role in the plot. The Dynamic Duo use to research Dr. Victor Fries and analyze the functionality of his cry-suit. This Batcomputer was used in a deleted scene where Bruce broods over the console trying to research Poison Ivy. Near the finale, Alfred programs his brain algorithms into the Batcomputer and creates a virtual simulation of himself. The simulation's delayed stuttering is a blatant homage to Max Headroom.

Behind the Scenes

In scenes absent from the theatrical release of the film, the Batcave was to play a larger role in Batman Forever. After Riddler and Two-Face's assault, Alfred would take an amnesiac Bruce further into the cave to help restore his memories. Whilst exploring, Bruce discovers his father's journal and find the bat that set him to become Batman. The encounter would both restore his memories and absolve him from the blame of his parents' murder. The scenes can be found in extended versions of the film, though can accessed as special features on the home media releases of the theatrical version.

In the novelisation for batman forever it is revealed that the secret workbench area also housing the Sonar Batsuit prototype located under a tarp and other work-in-progress equipment seen in the film was in a cave under the Batcave accessible via the turntable being used like platform lift.

Gallery

Batman Forever

BFBatcave1.jpg

Batman & Robin