Sorry Jack, your Joker was great for a long time but has definitely been outdone by a wonderful performance from Heath. Heath's Joker hands-down.

i agree no dout heath ledger is hands down the best joker no comp.

I say the best Joker, hands down, is................................................................Chuck Norris!

Chuck Norris, how original.

I think both of them did great performances. I even think that Nicholson would have been a great "new" Joker in that Christopher Nolan Movie, too. Just remember his performance in "Kuckoo's Nest" where he was some kind of tragic like Heath's Joker is.

Lets face it: The Joker is one of the most complex comic-villains ever. I would never want to be the actor who has to perform that. The joker has to be "funny" somehow but also really really serious. Only the best actors can do this.

What I like about the new Batman-Movies is the fact, that those characters are finally well drawn and not overacted like in movies before.

If Heath had not played the Joker I guess Patrick Wilson would've been a good joker, too.

Watching that video it proves the differences that Ledger will bring as a better Joker than Nicholson, i think that Nicholson even will say he is a better Joker.

out of all the 'versus' videos on youtueb, this one is just plain out L-A-M-E. LAME!

i rather watch another helping of 'Robocop vs Terminator' instead.

Yeah this one sucked but the part where Jack says, "You ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?"

And Ledger's joker says, "Hmmm, I like that!"

That part was cool!

'Here's my card'

beats

'You can call me Joker'.

Jack Nicholson did a BAD job as the Joker. He wasn't scary at all. He was just dumb.

You have to understand, the '89 Batman was great, but it was really the Joker as Jack Nicholson.

In the Dark Knight, we're getting Heath Ledger as the Joker, playing the Joker, being the Joker. Not the Joker being Jack.

Jack did a good job, but it did not age well. Nicholson was channeling Ceaser Romero, while Ledger was trying to really do the Joker as he was while respecting what Nicholson exemplified.

God... one more day...

I saw an early screening of TDK last night at an IMAX and I've got to say... Ledger makes Nicholson look like a circus clown. I have no doubt in my mind that he'll win the oscar for best supporting character

Wow, by comparison, Nicholson's Joker looks like something out of the 60's Batman TV show!

You guys stop this Nicholson vs Ledger thing.
It's clear to me that Cesar Romero is by far the one who's given the most intense deep complex subtil bretchinian contemporary post-revolucionary interpretation on the role. Ever!

Now, seriously, I do think there's not much of a point comparing diferente actors in the same part, mainly because each one belongs in a different MOVIE, made by different PURPOSES and in different TIMES. It's like comparing Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. You can prefer one of them, but both did perfect in order to fit the FILM's mood.

And don't forget that Ledger had Romero and Nicholson to look at as a previous reference - as did Nolan with Burton - so it's natural they would go in another direction to renew the Batman "franchise".

I think Jack Nicholson was great for Burton's Batman. Burton brought the movie right out of the comic book and on to the screen. His was fun entertainment, and Keaton played a cool Batman that was a crime fighter for kids to look up to as a true hero. I loved Jack's funny yet dark interpretation... although I never thought he did a good laugh or voice, he allways sounded like himself.

Ledger was great for Nolan's Batman. Nolan wanted to create a realistic version of Batman, set in a real background that is dark and gritty. His is a modern, epic, crime drama. Bale's Batman is tormented and driven to justice by his own guilt and anger. Ledger's Joker is a force of absolute chaos and evil. He is a psychopathic, sociopathic, sadistic, masacistic, anarchist who is hell-bent on getting his way and destroying Batman physically, emotionally, and mentally. He is a realistic, gritty, and terrifying criminal serial killer. His background isn't comic bookish, it's real. As is Batman's. And I must say, Ledger got the laugh and voice down, and unlike Jack, was able to get totally into his character.

In my opinion each one is great for their own time period and movie. But I personally like Ledger's interpretation better.

Like Pepsi and Coke. Coke is a classical taste that is refreshing to enjoy (Nicholson), while Pepsi is modern in it's taste and has a WOW pop to it's enjoyment (Ledger). Of course I'm a Pepsi man, and Ledger is, to me, the legitimate interpretation of the character... even though Jack had his place.

As for Romero, he's more like RC... it's pure 60's camp.

@Antonio

Sorry to say, but Gene Wilder is the only good Willy Wonka. As much as I respect Burton and Depp, they really screwed up that movie.

Truly amazing work, man. This is one for the books.. er, I mean, youtube faves.. click click

I really loved Jack Nicholson as the Joker, but the thing that stops me from saying his was better than Heath's is the fact that when I watch Jack Nicholson's version, I think of it as him, as opposed to the Joker.

I have yet to see The Dark Knight, but judging by the trailers, you aren't watching Heath playing the Joker, you are watching the Joker playing the Joker. Which is what it is really all about.

this discussion is actually pretty interesting. I didnt know that Nicholson based the Joker on Cesar Romero, because to be honest, I thought the 1989 Batman movie was crap. I saw it again after 19 years on TV and I thought to myself, "wow, people liked this crap when it came out in 89?" I remember how I USED to love this movie when I was a kid, but now it looks silly, comparing to The Dark Knight and Ledger's performance.

I remember Heath Ledger said that he based the Joker on Johnny Rotten and some serial killers. Pretty intense,. CAn't WAIT, man.

ok i got my tickets for tonites midnight show YES FINALLLY SOME BATARANG, i'd have to say that the joker in 89 was the best i would not ever want to change it it went with the whole theme of bataman for that movie, and the same is true here.

the only difference is that burton like to make movies he want to watch and nolan has made a movie we all wana watch.

i have to say that up till now i have seen hardly a hater but the one thing that is geting on my nerves is that people keep mentioning cesar romero and i dont like that i thought his joker was @#$@#%$@#$%$@#%@ get the point i never liked that show it was too simple for my tastes at the time and i was like not even 10 years old the last time i saw it.

i my mind their both great, only problem is jack nicholson's overdosed make-up, too much, heath's had the perfect amount, and the glued on smile of jack nicholson's joker. other than that, their both joker geniuses.

I always liked and still like Jack's Joker, but he did bring a lot
of himself into the role, so a lot of time I would merely see Jack.

I look forward to watching Heath's performance. From what I have
seen so far (and heard) he is the Joker I've always wanted to see
in a Batman movie. Some clips I've seen actually give me
goosebumps.

I saw Burton's Batman yesterday and i have to say that movie did not age well, Gotham City looks great but everything else is a joke. Batman is more like a damsel in distress and the Joker is ... pure shit. Not funny, not scary, just embarrassing.

while i enjoyed nicholson's performance back in the day, ledger's performance will completely overshadow it... this new joker isn't just another bad guy who we know will eventually be beaten by the bat; this guy is truly frightening and makes you hesitate when you think of how batman will beat him....
hands down: heath ledger makes psychotic killer look wickedly awesome.

I don't think we are at liberty to say who is the best.Both movies are yes,the same in a way yet completely different.Jack was a great joker in relation to the comic book but Heath playing the Joker is supposed to be much more darker.Hence the title of the movie.

I am of a younger generation and wasn't around when the 1989 batman came out so I have actually not seen it yet. But, I do plan on watching it before I watch The Dark Night, and I do plan on seeing TDN in theaters.

i think its very simple here. Jack represents the more "comic" side of joker looks and what not. Heath represents the more "realistic" side of joker such as looks and what not. Both movies are made with different set moods / feelings.

jack was a classic but leadger is a legend of the joker.

leadger's joker is the best!

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jack is a better joker by far......heath is a dead joker

ahahahhahahahhhahahahahahaa

a dead joker can't act

Heath's version of the Joker is better than Jack's it's that simple.
Heath's version was darker, more realistic, and he also did the
" pencil trick" Jack's was good, but Heath's was better.

I liked both versions of the Joker, but I will have to give the EDGE to Heath Ledgers version, his Joker seemed tougher, when he fights Batman it's not one sided. The Dark Knight is the best Batman movie made yet. It's one movie not to miss. The trick with the pencil is one example of how Heaths Joker was not one to mess with. Nothing personal against Jack, he's cool and all that, but Heath's Joker wins this contest.

Ledger was very much an Allan Moore version of the Joker. The whole premise of "The Killing Joke" was that Batman and the Joker were destined to fight forever, because they just wouldn't kill each other. I can't remember the other graphic novel that Ledger reportedly based his performance on, but it was very dark and sinister. The thing I hated about the original Batman movie, was that Tim Burton acknowledged the Joker as the murderer of Bruce Wayne's parents. This ruined the movie for me. Joe Chill was introduced in Batman Begins, and I was ecstatic. I do like The Dark Night better, but I think Aaron Eckhardt was completely overlooked. Joker ranks: Ledger-1, Hamill-2, Nicholson-3, Romero-4 (one being the best).

Well, considering, when Jack played Joker, all he really had to do was be himself. He was perfect for the role in that sense. But still, Heath's Joker took a great deal of acting talent to pull off. Also, Heath's Joker was probably modelled after Jack's, so without Jack's first stellar performance, this new Joker might never have come to exist. So, I'm still undecided on whose is better, but Heath gets points for the sheer difficulty of the role, while Jack ought to get credit for being the one who set the bar.

Heath Ledger by far. I mean, Jack is awesome and all, but Heath brings the real touch. Rest in peace.

Heath DID NOT take jack's joker as a 'prototype'. Heath himself said that he wants to create a newer version of The Joker and would be disrespectful if he emulated Jack.

Heath has portrayed, without doubt, the most terrifying, demonic Joker yet!

jack Was What You Expected Heath Is What We Hoped For.
Simply I Loved Both Moives , But I am a Comic Juckie , I was Happy To Finallly See A Joker That Wasnt Such A Joke.

Team Ledger

Wow. Tim Burton's Batman looks positively high-key compared to Nolan's, which is funny. remember back when we all thought Burton's Batman was "dark"?

Heath is the modern James Dean.
It was an amazing performance to say the VERY least. Breath taking. As someone said before, The Joker was playing Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger was playing The Joker. I had to continually remind myself who was playing the part. I was mesmerized, to say the least.

Heath is a so much better joker than jack. Jack was more a funny joker but Heath was a more twisteed and insane joker

Jack Nicholsons Joker was good..

but

Heath Ledgers Joker is the villain of all villains. He has set a mark. He did a great job. Heath.. may you rest in peace.. :(( cries.. it was that good.

I just saw the film and I was disappointed in Ledger's performance. His makeup is great, and I absolutely LOVE his lines. The cinematography is also good.

BUT NONE OF THIS IS THE RESULT OF GOOD ACTING. just because he does the pencil trick doesn't mean that if Jim Carrey or Robin Williams or Jack Nick played the character that the scene would be cut!!!!!!

There were quite a few times when Heath had a chance to bring the character to life and he failed miserably. OK he looks more realistic. That's not what actors do. Thats what set designers do.

I'm glad the joker wasn't killed so he can kick batman's @$$ again in the next movie... I really hate the premise of batman's character: Rich kid that wants to feel important so he wastes his dad's money and his engineer's time designing crime fighting equipment that he just trashes in one outing... along with an @$$load of public property. He's so 1-dimensional Keanu Reaves could play him.

Ledger has a better voice than Jack, but Jack said everything so perfectly

I think Eckhart handled two-face's dialogue better than Ledger handled joker's

Samuel L Jackson should play the joker in the next movie:

"Say what again fool!!!"

ahaahaahahaahah!!!!!!!!!

I have got to say that Heath Ledger was by far the better Joker. Nicholson is one of my favorite actors and he did an awesome job in pretty much any movie he is in but as the joker, the two actors cant even be compared.

Nicholson and Burton for that matter, took on a more campy portrayal of Batman and the Joker. It all looks like a comic book world with Burton's expressionistic style. Looking back and examining Burton and his body of works that Batman and Joker was very cookie cutter and dull, it is what we expected the joker to have been based on TOS.

Nolan took the more realistic route which is what we wanted from the batman franchise especially after the terrible pos 3rd and 4th batman movies. Heath Ledger clearly put in so much effort to really make the joker the sadistic dark madman that he should be. Others have mentioned that Ledgers Joker was unfunny. I'd disagree, there were many lines where i found him funny. It wasn't outlandish laugh out loud funny. If it were than we wouldn't be able to take his character and THE Dark Knight seriously. Heath did a better job because of the subtle mannerisms he gave to the Joker character. I would go more in depth but I don't want to ruin parts of the film for those who haven't seen it.

In film studies there is a concept of an auteur when examining directors. If we were to apply this concept to screen actors, after this performance, Heath Ledger could be considered an auteur. He took ideas proposed by John Kitses and put it into practice. He took the cookie cutter role of the joker, which is a very complex character, but had been played very satirically till now, and added complexities to the character.

The Dark Knight really lives up to the hype and Ledger finished his life playing the best role he's ever done. His crazy antics as the Joker kept me on the edge of my seat during the whole film. Heath's performance made Jack's perfomance look like a cartoon. Make sure you see this one in IMAX. No Jokers will ever match Ledger.

Nicholson and Ledger both had very different approaches/outlooks on the jokers personality. I found Ledger's joker to be much more entertaining. Every word from his mouth had the catch and the character of the joker.

HEATH LEDGER IS BY FAR THE BEST JOKER!


Ledger definately deserves an Oscar for Best Villian,
seriously.
Best performance by far, Heath Ledger did everything perfectly.
Before his death, people were like, "Heath Ledger as the joker? No way." Nobody thought he was the right person for the role of the joker.
...And now everyone is kicking themselve's in the face saying "Wow, he did a phenominal job"


Best batman movie by far.
Heath Ledger is the ultimate joker...BY FAR.
he is a legend and picked one hell of a role to be his last.


RIP HEATH LEDGER!
amazing actor...