Sir Michael Caine: The Batman’s Dark Butler Rises
The character of Alfred has always existed in the Batman series of comics and movies, but has reached its greatest heights in its portrayal by actor Sir Michael Caine. As the butler, confidant, and conscience of Batman, Caine’s Alfred doesn’t hesitate to tell the superhero when he thinks he is wrong.
Caine portrays Alfred again in the third edition of the current series, The Dark Knight Rises, due for release in mid 2012. Many fans feel these films, featuring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, are the most authentic Batman rendition yet.
What is it fans enjoy about Caine so much in the Alfred role? Most Bat buffs really enjoy the relationships he has with all the supporting characters, including Lucius Fox and Commissioner Gordon. But Alfred is the person Bruce Wayne’s parents gave him to in their deaths and as such has the longest and closest relationship, functioning first as a surrogate parent and evolving into his best friend.
Batman is a character bent on saving Gotham City, and Caine wonderfully plays the Alfred that assists him behind the scene, not only with cool superhero tools, but also with the emotional support he needs to carry on.