<P> After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Batman on screen following the critical failure of Batman & Robin (1997), Nolan and Goyer began work on the film in early 2003 . Aiming for a darker, more realistic tone compared to the previous films, a primary goal for their vision was to engage the audience's emotional investment in both the Batman and Bruce Wayne identities of the lead character . The film, which was principally shot in the United Kingdom, Iceland and Chicago, relied heavily on traditional stunts and miniature effects, with computer - generated imagery being used in a minimal capacity compared to other action films . Comic book storylines such as The Man Who Falls, Batman: Year One and Batman: The Long Halloween served as inspiration . </P> <P> Batman Begins opened on June 15, 2005, in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters . It grossed over $48 million in its opening weekend in North America, eventually grossing over $374 million worldwide . The film received highly positive reviews and is considered by many critics to be one of the best superhero films of the 2000s . It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and three BAFTA awards . It was followed by The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), which constitute The Dark Knight Trilogy . </P> <P> As a child, Bruce Wayne falls down into a dry well and is attacked by a swarm of bats, subsequently developing a phobia of the creatures . While watching an opera with his parents, Thomas and Martha, Bruce becomes frightened by performers masquerading as bats and asks to leave . Outside, mugger Joe Chill murders Bruce's parents in front of him . Orphaned, Bruce is raised by the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth . </P> <P> Fourteen years later, Chill is freed in exchange for testifying against Gotham City mafia boss Carmine Falcone . Bruce intends to murder Chill, but one of Falcone's assassins does so first . Bruce's childhood friend, Assistant District Attorney Rachel Dawes, berates him for attempting to undermine the justice system, saying that his father would be ashamed . Bruce confronts Falcone, who tells him that real power comes from being feared . Bruce decides to travel the world and learn how to confront injustice . While serving a prison sentence for theft in Bhutan, he meets Henri Ducard, who trains him as a member of the League of Shadows, led by Ra's al Ghul . After completing his training and purging his fears, Bruce learns that the League intends to destroy Gotham, believing it to be corrupt, decadent, hypocritical and beyond saving . Bruce rejects the League's cause and burns down their temple during his escape . Ra's is killed by falling debris, while Bruce saves the unconscious Ducard . </P>

Who killed batman's parents in batman begins