Adam West - Batman (1966)
Released by 20th Century Fox, Batman (alternatively, Batman: The Movie) was the first big screen appearance of the character. The film was a follow-up to the first season of the show, which ran for three years.
To generate interest in the show, producer William Dozier wanted to have a film in theatres concurrently while the show aired on TV, a request which 20th Century Fox refused. The film was ultimately well received as an accurate depiction of the character in contemporary circles.
Dozier cast Adam West in the role of Batman for the series (and subsequently the film, which saw most of its main and recurring cast return) after seeing him as the James Bond-esque spy Captain Q in a Nestle Quik ad. It's said that West won the role from auditions after being the only actor that could deliver the lines with a straight face.
The movie initially performed poorly, and was rushed out into cinemas during the show's summer hiatus. While the film introduced some signature elements such as the Batboat to the franchise, it led to season 2 become a rushed process. There was ultimately not enough time for creative heads to figure out what they truly wanted to do with the series.
Despite the show and film certainly falling short of any claim to being great cinema or entertainment, it is an iconic depiction of the character to this day, emphasized by the series' recent Blu Ray re-release. Adam West's portrayal is the polar opposite of what we see of the character today, and provides a fascinating glimpse at how the tides have changed regarding society and expectations regarding the superhero property.
