A Reel 20: V FOR VENDETTA

“Remember, remember the fifth of November…”

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of V FOR VENDETTA. 

 

Directed by James McTeigue and produced and written by the Wachowski’s, V FOR VENDETTA was an adaptation of the popular graphic novel by Alan Moore, David Lloyd, and Tony Weare. Set in a future where a fascist totalitarian regime has taken over the UK, the film follows V, a masked vigilante in a Guy Fawkes mask who attempts to ignite a revolution, and Evey, a young woman who gets tangled up in V’s plot. 

 

V FOR VENDETTA was made by many of the same filmmakers who were involved in THE MATRIX films. The rights to the graphic novel were picked up by producer Joel Silver in 1988, and the Wachowski’s worked on the script during production even before starting on the first of THE MATRIX films. James McTeigue, who had worked as an assistant director to THE MATRIX, along with STAR WARS: EPISODE II, was brought on to direct. 

 

The role of V was originally to be played by James Purefoy, but he dropped out after six weeks of filming. He was replaced by Hugo Weaving. The role of Evey was taken by Natalie Portman, and the role of the High Chancellor went to the late great John Hurt. The rest of the cast included Stephen Rae, Stephen Fry, Tim Pigott-Smith, Rupert Graves, and Roger Allam, and Eddie Marsan. 

 

The film was originally set for a November 2005 release, but was pushed to the following March to allow more time for post-production. On release, it was number one on its opening weekend. Despite good-to-great-to-mixed reviews (73% on the Tomato Meter), the film would be a hit with audiences and did well with merchandise. Natalie Portman would win Best Actress at the Hugo Awards. 

 

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There are three types of 20-year-old films. There are the ones that don’t age well, the ones that do age well, and the ones that are scary to watch because of how spot-on they are with their vision of the future. The last one, is where V FOR VENDETTA lands. Like the graphic novel, the film sits in a time where a fascist regime has taken over media, persecuted those who are different, and the State taking away basic freedoms. Fear is used to rule and earn power for the powerful, while the common people suffer and are diminished. It’s a fictional plot that now hits hard, 

 

As a film, V FOR VENDETTA also hits hard. By taking inspiration from classic stories such as 1984, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Phantom of the Opera, the film has a familiar, yet fresh feel to it. It looks amazing, the cast is excellent, and the action scenes tremendous. Over time, the mask of V has become a symbol of revolution; not just for the sake of rebellion, but for standing up for those who are diminished. And those who are being diminished will find freedom in that. 

 

“People shouldn’t be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”