Does Harvey Dent die in the dark knight?

Answer 1

Any characters death in a film, book, video game can obviously be argued until the end of time. But logicially, Harvey Dent/Two Face protrayed by actor Aaron Eckhart died.

Batman fell from the same height that Two Face did, yes--but, mind you Batman's suit is out fitted with Kevlar bullet proof platting and earlier in the film Batman jumps from over four stories up onto Scarecrow's van and the fall doesn't phase him in the least bit. Comparing a fall between a lawyer in a half-burnt suit and a trained Martial Artist wearing one of the greatest built combat suits ever made doesn't hold water.

Batman's fall was also broken by several boards, and he in fact fell from a lesser height -- he was hanging from floor joists, dangling from his arm, thus shortening the distance by at least a good eight feet. Dent fell backward, Batman dropped straight down, so they likely fell differently as well.

Also, the idea of a man whose healing from a half burnt body getting up from a high fall and getting away, successfully when the entire area is swarming with cops is highly unlikely. Also, Gordon was near enough to Harvey Dent's body to keep an eye on it, highly unlikely again that Gordon would not notice Harvey getting up and running off. In fact, Gordon and Batman stand over Harvey Dent's body without attempting to provide even basic medical assistance or to call for emergency help (Gordon finally "calls it in" when Batman tells him to do so, several minutes after they've discussed the situation).

Batman makes his speech about dying a hero or living long enough to see yourself become the villain. Dent died, Batman lived. Dent will be branded a hero, Batman will accept the role of villain. This is a long-running notion throughout the film, and it culminates in Batman's decision to let Dent die a hero in the eyes of Gotham City.

The shooting script for the film states that Harvey Dent is "DEAD" (in all-caps), and in interviews Chris Nolan and his screenwriting partner on the film, brother Jonathan Nolan, have both said Harvey Dent was killed in the film. Arron Ekhart has stated repeatedly in interviews that his character died, including referencing Chris Nolan telling him on the set that his character was gone and would not return (at least in life).

Now, it's completely a fair argument to say that it is "possible" and to discuss that Two Face lived. But to say A HUNDRED PERCENT that he didn't die when there's more than a fair amount of evidence that he did die...No.

Lastly, it hasn't been stated ANYWHERE OFFICIALLY, that Two-Face is the focus of next film. Chris Nolan has recently announced that he is working with his screenwriting brother (who co-authored the script for "The Dark Knight" with Chris Nolan) to develop a story for the next Batman film. While Nolan still has not officially committed to the project, there is already much going on behind the scenes, and every indication is that he will return. However, his only comments about Harvey Dent that even come close to implying a "return" for the character actually suggest that perhaps Dent will return in flash-backs, to clarify the question of who exactly Dent killed in "The Dark Knight". At the end, Gordon says there are "Five dead, two of them cops", but the film only shows at most four of Dent's killings, and only one of them is a cop. However, what Gordon says is "Five dead, two of them cops. You can't sweep that under the carpet." He may have been including Harvey Dent (a DA, or "cop" to the average layman) himself in the equation, pointing out that along with the killings that Dent committed it would also be difficult to sweep Dent's own presence and death at the hostage situation under the carpet without having someone else to blame for the other murders (Batman). If we take for granted that Dent kills the henchman of Maroni's that he pulls off screen, then the number is correct (Maroni's henchman, Maroni's driver, Maroni, Wuertz, Dent). This being the case, it is five deaths that Gordon is worrying about covering up, not specifically five murders or five people Dent himself has killed.