i think that Nolan went to lengths to ensure that it reached it's 12A cert. The knifing scenes were edited ever so slightly as not to show the graphic details - just the buildup, which is often far more uncomfortable to watch than the actual climax.

Jamie, London,

Nolan also said that he would have loved to have seen this movie as a kid, I totally agree, I would have scared the bajesus outta me but it would be permanently etched into my memory.

Jamie, London, UK

Well, there is merit to the argument that it's been classified incorrectly. After all, they keep referring to the Jack Nicholson Joker as being 'more jokey', but that Batman was rated a 15, anyway.

Why not this one?

Anthony, London,

70 complaints in just 10 days - This film really must have shocked & offended the tens & tens of 1000s that have seen it.

As for not knowing it's content, with all the hype, even my nan knew what it was about.

If your child is under 12, then really you should research a 12A before taking them.

Andrew, Swansea,

Parents should research the film. If they think their child is not mature enough or of a stable mind they should not allow them to see it. I know many 12 year olds that would be entertained by the film and react the same way as an adult would. They know the difference between right and wrong.

Andy, Guildford, UK

"This ‘Joker’ is truly evil. Yet most parents and children would not know this beforehand"

With the amount of coverage the film and Heath Ledger's demonic performance has received, I would have thought that there would have been a good understanding of just how evil this character is.

Ed Mottram, Cambridge,

The violence level in this film is way too high for unaccompanied young teens.
Having said that, however, on the most popular source for pirate copies it is presently at the top of the chart with nearly ten thousand currently downloading. What's the odds a high proportion of those are by under 15s?

Andy Holt, Rayleigh,

This is ridiculous. All this talk of 'standards' - we're a cotton-wool society. No wonder young adults are screwed up... shield them from this, restrict that, hide everything... then they hit 18 and all of a sudden they're chucked in the deep end.
The world is harsh - build up calluses BEFORE entry

DJW, Nottingham, UK

I've never believed in this correlation between violence on the screen and violence in real life especially in a make believe setting such as Batman. My children stopped believing in the reality of TV around the age of 4.

McDaddy, Stockport, England

It never ceases to amaze me that violence is considered acceptable in not only "12" films, but also in "PG" and even "U" films. Violence symbolises nothing positive at all. Show a naked breast, a thing of beauty and an essential part of life in anything less than a "15" though and woe betide you!

Ben Adamson, Manchester, UK

Kids have become more feral a long time before the Dark Knight was made so I feel this film is a victim of PC nonsense as with the original Tom and Jerry

Moez Adamjee, Hayes, UK

They don't care what kids watch these days. Standards are falling daily and nobody gives a damn. Our children have been well abandoned. No wonder they're all becoming more than a little weird.

judy, Liverpool, England

Is it any wonder that there is so much violence in this Country. I support Mr Henderson's view and agree it should have a 15 certificate as it is not suitable for 12 year olds.

mike, london, uk

i've just realised why the original tom and jerry cartoons are not shown any more, obviously too violent for todays little angels, get a life and get a grip, its entertainment,

jonny, lancashire,

The Dark Knight is not in the same series as the 89 Movie Batman.
That's like saying every 'robin hood' film is part of the same series!
The Dark Knight is a sequel to Batman Begins.
The Joker is a crazed serial killer. in the comics he's already killed Robin, and crippled Batgirl. it's not 'jokey'

charles, carlisle, uk

If you ever listen to Mark Kermode's film reviews, he does make comments re the BBFC film classifications and recommends that viewers go to the website.

I saw the film on opening night at the o2 arena, and I was sat next to a little girl who must have been about 7 or 8. She was with her mum!

Sarah, High Wycombe,

Sad. A movie too silly for adults and too nasty and violent for kids. You want to show them Batman? find a DVD of the TV show. It won't give your kids nightmares and Caesar Romero was always a howl as The Joker.

Matthew Patton, Deltona. FL, USA

Nicholas Henderson is a very sad man

robo , London, United Kingdom