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Cinema's Best Anti-Heroes

2 months ago 21st Jul 09:01

Over the years cinema has been littered with anti-heroes including Mad Max, the Crow and Snake Plisskem all of whom lack the traditional heroic attributes and qualities that we expect in our heroes.

This week sees the return of D.C. comic ultimate anti-hero in the form of Batman in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight. Despite wanting to clean up the streets of Gotham city Batman's shadowy, dark nature and tragic past contrast with the openly heroic characters such as Superman, who is comfortable with the role as protector of many.

So in celebration of cinema's anti-heroes we look back to find some of the best on the big screen.

Travis Bickle

The star of Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, was an honourably discharged Marine and Vietnam war veteran now working in New York as a nighttime taxi driver.

Bickle is repulsed by the decay that sees on the streets of the city around him. And although he does attempt to assassinate a political candidate his act of saving Iris, a child prostitute does redeem his character.

He has received a handwritten letter from Iris's parents who thank him for saving their daughter, and the media hails him as a hero for saving her as well, yet Bickle denies being any sort of hero.

Despite his selfless act of ''heroism ' his motives remain unknown throughout the film.