Home Movies

Marion Cotillard On Her Much-Maligned Dark Knight Rises Death Scene

Though the final installment of Christopher Nolan's acclaimed Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, is (almost) as universally loved as the previous entries, the film does seem to come in for a bit more criticism than Batman Begins and its masterful follow-up, The Dark Knight. There are many reasons for this (the ending, Bane's arc, the perceived plot holes etc), but what generates arguably the most backlash is Talia al Ghul's (Marion Cotillard) death scene towards the end of the movie.

Marion Cotillard in Two Days, One Night

Recommended Videos

Though the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, is (almost) as universally loved as the previous entries, the film does seem to come in for a bit more criticism than Batman Begins and its masterful follow-up, The Dark Knight. There are many reasons for this (the ending, Bane’s arc, the perceived plot holes, etc.), but what generates arguably the most backlash is Talia al Ghul’s (Marion Cotillard) death scene towards the end of the movie.

Fans don’t really seem to have a problem with Cotillard’s performance overall, but the way in which she delivers Talia’s final words before succumbing to her injuries does come across a bit… well, overly theatrical let’s say.

During an interview with Allocine (translated from French), the Academy Award-winning actress says she feels that the detractors overreacted somewhat, but does also seem to suggest that perhaps Nolan should have used a different take for his final cut.

We’re all in the same boat, and if sometimes it gets out of control, then everyone is involved. Sometimes there are failures, and when you see this on screen, you’re thinking: ‘Why? Why did they keep that take?’ But either you blame everyone or nobody. But I thought people overreacted, because it was tough to be identified just with this scene. When I’m doing the best I can to find the authenticity in every character that I’m playing, it’s tough to be known just for this scene.

In all honesty, the scene isn’t really that bad, but it’s still probably destined to go down as one of the most fan-blasted moments in superhero movie history.

Tell us, have you re-watched The Dark Knight Rises recently? If so, did Talia’s death scene still jar you, or were you never particularly bothered by it the first time around? Drop us a comment below and let us know.