Okay, we've all heard the story: The Shadow was the inspiration for Batman. But who knew the 1994 Shadow movie would be referenced in the 2005 Batman movie?

It all began when I first saw the teaser trailer for "Batman Begins", and lo and behold, this appeared:

My jaw dropped. "That's just like the Shadow movie!"

Several online clips, trailers, and two viewings of the movie later, I was convinced this was not a coincidence. So on a whim, I decided to do a scene-by-scene comparison following the storyline of the 1994 movie — mainly focusing on scenes and plotlines that are almost similar. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this is quite a tribute. And one that I'm happy to watch again and again.

Feel free to judge for yourself.

(Note: "Batman Begins" is copyright of Warner Bros.)

David Goyer noted that he wrote a screenplay for Doctor Strange in the 1990's. He noted that he wanted to follow the origin storyline -- a selfish, acquisitive man gets redeemed when going to Tibet and studying under a mystic. Then The Shadow came out in 1994 which featured a similar origin. "Batman Begins" also featured a somewhat similar origin (although Wayne was self-absorbed, he was not really acquisitive) -- and it was written by David Goyer!

Far Eastern Beginnings
We begin in Tibet (okay, they filmed this in the United States, but let's pretend)	We begin in China, somewhere near the Tibetan border (okay, they filmed this in Iceland, but let's pretend)

In Dreams
The Tulku appears — a sign of what Lamont will become	Bruce's childhood trauma involving bats — a sign of what he will become

Off to the Temple
Lamont makes the journey (unwillingly), unsure of what he will find	Bruce makes the journey (willingly), unsure of what he will find

The Temple in the Mountains
Temple of the Cobras	HQ of the League of Shadows

Enter
My, what big doors you have...

What is it with bald Asian guys on thrones?
The Tulku	Ra's al Ghul

First Attack in the Temple
Lamont vs. Phurba	Bruce vs. Ducard

First Appearance
Who...where are you?!

Men in Tuxes
Gotta love a man in a suit....

On the town
At The Cobalt Club	At a swanky Gotham hotel

The Playboy
Lucky with the ladies

How Long?
"...when you disappeared for some seven years."	"You've been gone seven years."

Police Problems
"I'll put a task force on him."	"Commissioner Loeb set up a massive task force to catch you."

Nice House
Cranston Mansion (French-style architecture)	Wayne Manor (English-style architecture)

Meeting the Enemy on Your Territory
Shiwan Khan crashes the Sanctum	Ducard/Ra's al Ghul crashes Wayne Manor

Bored Stiff
"You know somthing Lamont? It puzzles me how a man like yourself who has absolutely nothing to do, can be late for every little engagement."	"Strange Injuries, a nonexistent social life. These things beg the question as to what exactly does Bruce Wayne do with his time and money."

By a Hand
Interrogating a Mongol warrior	Interrogating a crooked cop

"You're...him!"
"You're The Shadow!"	"Bruce?"

Hero's Vow
"...and besides, you know I'm gonna stop you."	"I'm standing right here, between you and the people of Gotham."

Running into Trouble...
...by being trapped in a flooding tank	...by being gassed with a psychotropic weaponized hallucinogen then set on fire

Being Saved by Someone who Cares
By Margo	By Alfred

Bedridden
Even heroes need to recover

Remembering the Past
Lamont's life of crime	Bruce's life of crime

Nice Entrance (notice the stairs?)
At the Monolith Hotel	At Arkham Asylum

Go Mad!
Driving Farley Claymore nuts	Gassing the Scarecrow

Final Confrontation
"You're finished Khan!"	"It ends here!"

What...just...happened...?!
It's not easy being a police commissioner....

Last Kiss
On the town	On the ruins of Wayne Manor

Always be there...
"I'll know"	"I never said thank you." "And you'll never have to."

• Both received training in Asia
• Both learned the art of invisibility (in different ways of course)
• "The League of Shadows" (Hmm...)
• Both have a secret hideout
• Both have an elderly butler (but Bruce Wayne is closer to his)
• Both have a similar theme song on their respective movie soundtracks. Have a listen to "Molossus" (Batman Begins), there's a short piece in there that sounds a bit like the theme in "The Poppy Fields" (The Shadow).