Carmine Falcone - a character in the movie "Batman Begins" and the television series "Gotham"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Batman comic series featured quite a few villains, most of whom, by the way, had mental problems. However, the leader of the Gotham mafia, Falcone, with whom the entire city police could not cope for many years, was not crazy. He became one of the most famous opponents of the Dark Knight, whom he barely managed to defeat. It is for this reason that this comic book anti-hero was made one of the main characters in the films and television series about Batman.

Gotham Master

Carmine Falcone is the first serious opponent of the Knight of Gotham.

This man created a real criminal empire, which, like a web, entangled the entire city. Through bribery, contract killings and intimidation, this mobster has achieved control over all of Gotham. He called his organization the Roman Empire, and he himself bore the nickname "Roman".

The influence of the Falcone clan on all crime in the city was so great that only with the death of its leader did the cleansing of Gotham from crime begin.

Unlike Batman's other enemies, many of whom were brilliant and insane at the same time, Don Falcone practicallynever acted on emotions. All his actions were dictated by cold calculation, thanks to which he managed to rule the city, teeming with lunatics and maniacs.

Falconet Prototype

Traditionally, this mafioso was depicted as a gray-haired man with a mustache and a scarlet flower in his buttonhole. Those who have seen the film "The Godfather" will immediately recognize this hero as Don Corleone in the brilliant performance of Marlon Brando.

To draw more parallels between the Falcone and Corleone families, Carmine's family was copied from members of the legendary Godfather's family.

Carmine Falcone character in Batman comics

This antagonist first appeared in Batman comics in 1987. According to the story, Carmine was the son of Vincent Falcone. During another skirmish with the rival Maroni clan, young Carmine was injured, and only through the efforts of his father Bruce Wayne did the guy survive.

After the death of his father, Carmine Falcone became the head of the family business. Being a brilliant strategist and manipulator, he ensured that his family ruled Gotham. This man created a corruption system of fantastic proportions, thanks to which he could get away with any crime.

The Don's ability to stand above the law was one of the reasons Bruce Wayne started fighting crime under the guise of Batman. The dark knight of Gotham not only upset the plans of the mafia, but also, penetrating into his house, threatened the main criminal. Because of this, Don Falcone ordered all the policemen whom he “baited” to finda brazen masked vigilante, but all the efforts of the Gotham police were unsuccessful.

At the same time, James Gordon, the only honest policeman in the city, prevented Carmine from doing his business. To cope with him, the criminal don ordered to steal his wife and son. However, Batman prevented this and, teaming up with Gordon and prosecutor Harvey Dent, set about freeing Gotham from the power of the Falcone clan.

One of Carmine's sons, Alberto, always seemed to his father weak and incapable of running a "business". In retaliation, the young man began to operate on the streets of Gotham under the guise of a Holiday Killer. He de alt cruelly with the people of his clan, and with strangers. As a result, Falcone's power weakened.

Unsuccessfully trying to find the Holiday Killer, the Roman decides that it is Harvey Dent. For this reason, he orders the assassination of the prosecutor. However, Dent survives, in addition, his schizophrenia, with which he fought for many years, is activated, and the former prosecutor kills Don Falcone right at his home. With the death of the Roman, the power over Gotham of his mafia clan ends.

Falconet's character in Batman Begins

On the silver screen, one of the most striking appearances of this hero occurred in the first part of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

According to the plot, the parents of young Bruce Wayne are killed by a criminal named Joe Chil. After some time, he falls into the hands of justice, but soon he is going to be released from prison, as he agreed to testify against the Falcone family.

However, this does not happen becauseright in the courtroom, Joe is killed by a hitman sent by Carmine. Bruce goes to Don Falcone, but he mocks the guy, proud of his impunity. Young Wayne leaves Gotham for several years to find answers on how to deal with the injustice surrounding him. After returning, he, wearing an avenger mask, becomes Batman.

Soon, Wayne manages to catch Carmine's men trying to bring a huge shipment of drugs into the city and hand them over to the police.

However, Carmine Falcone and his assistants are trying to feign insanity so as not to stand trial. Fearing his mafia involvement, psychiatrist Jonathan Crane ("Scarecrow") uses a special drug to drive the almighty Don insane.

Further on, Carmain Falcon is not mentioned in the plot, as Batman and his associates have to fight with more serious opponents.

Despite the fact that the script of this tape was written on the basis of the comics about the Dark Knight - "Year One" and "The Long Halloween", in which Don Falcone played one of the key roles, not much space is devoted to his character. This was done to showcase Wayne's other enemies: the Scarecrow and Shadow League leader Ra's al Ghul.

As for the canonicity of Carmine Falcone's depiction in Batman Begins, there are a lot of differences from the comic book.

Firstly, the appearance of this hero has been slightly changed. So, the leader of the mafia appeared before the audience as a gray-haired fat man. Apart from his mustache, he also lacked the scar on his cheek that Catwoman inflicted on him in the past. In addition, the character in the film has a fairly noticeable British accent.

Secondly, the nature of the mafia is also different. The screen don is more like a pompous, self-satisfied turkey who flaunts his power and ability to inspire fear in others. However, when faced with serious opponents, he quickly loses to them.

Despite the fact that Don Falcone is not given much space in the film, thanks to the efforts of the wonderful British actor Tom Wilkinson, the hero turned out to be quite amusing.

Tom Wilkinson plays Carmine Falcone in Batman Begins

This actor is able to play both villains and good people with ease. Prior to participating in Batman Begins, Wilkinson received two Oscar nominations for supporting roles.

Among his main achievements are participation in such projects as The Priest, Sense and Sensibility, Oscar and Lucinda, Wilde, Shakespeare in Love, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Conspirator, "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" and others.

For his services in the field of theater and cinema in 2005, Tom Wilkinson was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Falcone in the television series "Gotham" (Gotham)

While the Roman character was given some screen time in Nolan's film, Bruno Heller's television series about crime in Gotham fixed this mistake.

The series "Gotham", which has been successfully broadcast on television for three seasons, tells about the criminals of this strange city. The protagonist at the moment is a young policeman James Gordon. Young Bruce Wayne plays a minor role in the events so far. But Carmine Falcone was practically at the center of the events of the first season.

According to the plot, despite Falcone being the "master" of the city, his power has recently been shaken, and his competitors are planning to depose the Roman and take his place. At the end of the first season, Don Falcone voluntarily leaves the city and Oswald Cobblepot, nicknamed "Penguin", becomes the new criminal ruler of Gotham.

In the second season, Carmine appears only once to help James Gordon get out of prison, where he was falsely accused.

Like Nolan's movie, Gotham introduces viewers to Falcone, also quite far from comic book canon, but the new take on this character is quite interesting. Despite the fame of a cruel criminal, the Roman is actually the only one who maintains the law in the city of lawlessness. Despite his difficult character and notoriety, he commands respect and even sympathy from the audience.

Carmine Falcone ("Gotham") - actor John Doman

In the television series, the role of the "master" of Gotham was played by American actor John Doman. Like Tom Wilkinson, John became famous thanks to the performance of minor roles.

This actor is best known for his participation in numerous crime television series such as Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Oz, The Wire, C. S. I. Crimes, NCIS: Special Forces, Rizzoli and Isles, etc.

Interestingly, the role of the mafia leader in "Gotham" is not the first for this performer. Previously, he had already played the leader of the mafia in the film "Puppet". However, Doman most often plays the police, military and politicians.

Tom Wilkinson vs. John Doman: who is the best Falcone

If we compare the Roman in "Batman Begins" and in "Gotham", then the advantage will, of course, be on the side of the latter. The point here is that Falcone simply has more screen time in the TV series than his "brother" in the movie.

Also, the character in "Gotham" is better written, since he is one of the central key figures of the plot, while in the Nolan picture he is only one of many.

As for the acting, then Wilkinson and Doman are quite difficult to compare, since both played great. Wilkinson managed to create on the screen the image of a cruel mafia, inspiring fear and enjoying it. At the same time, Falcone Domana is a wise man who has seen a lot, perfectly aware of who he is dealing with and not afraid to get his hands dirty.

Carmine Falcone Quotes

• On the verge of death, people become honest. Listening to them is good.
• I will die and Gotham will end.
• It is bad manners to wear a hat indoors.
• If you run away, you will have to run all your life. Some even get used to it.

Carmine Falcone is not Batman's most famous adversary, but he is one of the most memorable. To date and incomics (officially killed), and in the TV series (left town) there are a lot of mysteries associated with him. Will they be revealed? The future will show…