Christian Bale rant provokes online backlash against Batman star

AN expletive-laden rant by Batman star Christian Bale provoked a backlash against the actor by unimpressed web users today.

Comments posted on <a TARGET="_BLANK" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba0-ctqzRsg">video-sharing site YouTube expressed disgust at the tirade unleashed on the set of Terminator: Salvation.

Insults were levelled at Bale and sympathy was expressed for the target of his anger – the film's director of photography, Shane Hurlbut.

The film's assistant director, Bruce Franklin, told US entertainment channel E! News that the four-letter tirade was the result of Bale being distracted during an emotional scene.

One YouTube user, who went by the name of ice9001, said: "Who does he think he is just because he is celebrity doesn't mean can treat people like this."

Another, ramio83, said: "This was an unclassy act and so outrageous, he should have dealt with it in a better way."

A comment posted by a user calling himself Rustymcnally said: "I used to respect Christian Bale but as a film maker I am sickened by this outburst."

The four-minute rant on set in New Mexico came last July, just days before his arrest by British police investigating claims he lashed out at his mother and sister in a London hotel.

Clips have been circulating on websites over the last few days.

Bale is heard bellowing: "I want you off the set you p****."

The 35-year-old British actor adds that he should "kick his f****** arse".

When Mr Hurlbut attempts to apologise, Bale shouts: "Don't just be sorry. Think for one f****** second."

Bale continues: "I'm going to f****** kick your f****** arse.

"Do you want me to trash your lights? Do you want me to f****** trash them?"

Some web users defended the star, while others saw the funny side and sampled his rant in songs.

A dance remix and a drum and bass remix using Bale's bad language are also circulating online.

Mr Franklin came out in support of Bale, describing him as a "consummate professional" who just had a bad day.

He told E! News: "If you are working in a very intense scene and someone takes you out of your groove – it was the most emotional scene in the movie – and for him to get stopped in the middle of it... He is very intensely involved in his character.

"He doesn't walk around like that all day long. It was just a moment and it passed."

Days after his tirade, Bale was arrested by the Metropolitan Police following an incident involving his mother and sister at the Dorchester Hotel in London on July 21.

The Crown Prosecution Service decided later not to bring charges due to "insufficient evidence to afford a realistic prospect of conviction".