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{{Short description|2005 film by James McTeigue}} | |||
{{Infobox Film | |||
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{{good article}} | |||
{{Use British English|date=October 2023}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} | |||
{{Infobox film | |||
| name = V for Vendetta | | name = V for Vendetta | ||
| image = |
| image = vforvendettamov.jpg | ||
| caption = |
| caption = Theatrical release poster | ||
| director = ] | | director = ] | ||
| screenplay = ]<!--Do not change without consensus. See ]. -->{{efn|name=Credited|Credited as ''The Wachowski Brothers''.}} | |||
| producer = ]<br>]<br>]<br>Lorne Orleans | |||
| based_on = {{Based on|'']''|]}}{{efn|Alan Moore, dissatisfied with the film adaptations of his other works, ''From Hell'' (2001) and ''The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'' (2003), declined to watch the film and asked to not be credited or paid royalties.}} | |||
| writer = '''Screenplay:'''<br>]<br>'''Graphic Novel:'''<br>]'' (uncredited)''<br>]'' | |||
| producer = {{Plainlist| | |||
| starring = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>] | |||
* ] | |||
| music = '''Original'''<br>]<br>'''Non-Original'''<br>] | |||
* ] | |||
* The Wachowskis<!--Do not change without consensus. See ]. -->{{efn|name=CreditedProducers|Credited as ''Andy'' and ''Larry Wachowski''.}} | |||
}} | |||
| starring = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| cinematography = ] | | cinematography = ] | ||
| editing = ] | | editing = ] | ||
| |
| music = ] | ||
| studio = {{Plainlist| | |||
| distributor = ] | |||
* ] | |||
| released = ] ], ]<br>] ], ]<br>] ], ] <br>] ], ] | |||
* ] | |||
| runtime = 132 min. | |||
* ] | |||
| country = ] / ] / ]<ref name="IMDB">{{cite web | work=IMDB.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/ | accessdate=2 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
| awards = | |||
* ] | |||
| language = ] | |||
}} | |||
| budget = $54 million (US)<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web | work=boxofficemojo.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | accessdate=6 May | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
| distributor = ]<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url= http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b0df5be|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170219144110/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8b0df5be|url-status= dead|archive-date= 19 February 2017|title= V for Vendetta|work= ]|access-date= 16 May 2017}}</ref> | |||
| gross = '''Domestic'''<br>$70,511,035<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web | work=boxofficemojo.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | accessdate=2 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref><br>'''Foreign'''<br> $60,900,000<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web | work=boxofficemojo.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | accessdate=2 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref><br>'''Worldwide'''<br> $131,411,035<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web | work=boxofficemojo.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | accessdate=2 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
| released ={{Film date|df=yes|2005|12|11|]|2006|3|17|United States}} | |||
| website = http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/ | |||
| runtime = 133 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 133:23--><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/v-for-vendetta-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtu3mdy|title=V FOR VENDETTA (15)|publisher=]|date=16 March 2006|access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref> | |||
| amg_id = 1:319427 | |||
| |
| country = {{Plainlist| | ||
* Germany<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/2006/02_programm_2006/02_Filmdatenblatt_2006_20060289.php#tab=boulevard|title= | Berlinale | Archive | Annual Archives | 2006 | Programme – V For Vendetta | V wie Vendetta|website= Berlinale.de|access-date= 29 March 2016|archive-date= 28 March 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160328210352/https://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/2006/02_programm_2006/02_Filmdatenblatt_2006_20060289.php#tab=boulevard|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=bfi/> | |||
* United Kingdom | |||
* United States | |||
}} | |||
| language = English | |||
| budget = $50–54 million<ref name="boxofficemojo"/><ref>{{Cite web | url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/V-for-Vendetta#tab=summary |title= V for Vendetta (2005) |website= ] | access-date= 29 December 2020}}</ref> | |||
| gross = $134.7 million<ref name="boxofficemojo" /> | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''V for Vendetta''''' is a ] ] |
'''''V for Vendetta''''' is a 2005 ] ] ] directed by ] (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by ].{{efn|name=Credited}}<!--Do not change without consensus. See ]. --> It is based on the 1988–89 ] limited series ] by ], ], and ]. The film, set in a future where a ] ] regime has subjugated the UK, centres on ] (portrayed by ]), an ] and masked freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts, and on ] (portrayed by ]), a young woman caught up in V's mission. ] portrays a detective leading a desperate quest to stop V. | ||
The film's release was originally scheduled for Friday, ], ] (a day before the 400th ]), but was delayed; it opened on ], ], and was generally well-received by critics. Alan Moore, however, disassociated himself from the film, as has been his policy for all cinematic adaptations of his work. The filmmakers removed some of the ] themes and ] references present in the original story and updated the political message to be more relevant in a modern context. Due to the politically sensitive content of the film, ''V for Vendetta'' attracted much attention from groups on both sides of the political spectrum and has received both great praise and harsh criticism in turn. | |||
Produced by ], ] and ], ''V for Vendetta'' was originally scheduled for release by ] on 4 November 2005 (a day before the 400th ]), but was delayed; it instead opened in the United States on 17 March 2006, to mostly positive reviews from critics and became a box office success, grossing $134 million against a production budget between $50–54 million. Alan Moore, dissatisfied with the film adaptations of his other works, ] (2001) and ] (2003), declined to watch the film and asked to not be credited or paid royalties. | |||
Some political groups have seen ''V for Vendetta'' as an allegory of oppression by government; anarchists have used it to promote their beliefs. The film is credited for popularizing the use of the ] by ] political groups and activities; David Lloyd stated: "The Guy Fawkes mask has now become a common brand and a convenient placard to use in protest against tyranny—and I'm happy with people using it, it seems quite unique, an icon of ] being used this way."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15359735|title=V for Vendetta masks: Who's behind them?|last=Waites|first=Rosie|date=20 October 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=20 October 2011|archive-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514122204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15359735|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
<!-- Do not specify the year the film is set in; see discussion at Talk page. --> | |||
<!-- Please do not add the date 2020 to the time of the film. It has largely been agreed upon that that is not the correct date, it's closer to 2040 (The Salt Flats film was in 2015, followed by Valerie's 3 years of happiness with her lover, followed by an unknown time in Larkhill, followed by 20 years of V's work after the fire in Larkhill). Also, please add no more images in here! --> | |||
In the near future, Britain is ruled by the ] ] political party, a fascist and totalitarian regime led by High Chancellor Adam Sutler, which controls the populace through propaganda and imprisons or executes those deemed undesirable, including immigrants, ], and people of alternative religions. | |||
{{spoilers}} | |||
The story is set in the near future (approximately ]) with Britain ruled by a ] regime called ]. It follows Evey Hammond (]), a young woman who is rescued from the Fingermen (secret police) by a masked vigilante known as "V" (]). After rescuing her, V takes Evey to a rooftop location to witness his spectacular destruction of the ]. The regime explains the incident to the public as a planned demolition, but this is shown to be a lie when V takes over the state-run TV station later that day. V broadcasts a message urging the people of Britain to rise up and stand with him at the Houses of Parliament on ], one year from that day. V implies that on that date he will destroy the ]. | |||
] is the daughter of parents who became activists after her brother perished in the St. Mary's school terrorist attack fourteen years earlier; they were detained and later died in prison when she was 12 years old. One evening, a ]ed vigilante, "]", rescues her from assault by the British secret police, known as The Fingermen, and brings her to witness his destruction of the ] via bombs. The following morning, on 5 November, V hijacks the state-run television network BTN to address the nation, claiming credit for the attack and encouraging the populace to resist Norsefire by joining him outside the ] on ] in one year's time. Evey is knocked unconscious while aiding V's escape, and he takes her with him to avoid her arrest and likely execution. | |||
Evey, who works at the British Television Network, helps V escape. V takes Evey to his lair, the Shadow Gallery, where she is told she must stay in hiding with him for her own safety. Upon learning that V is killing government officials, she is horrified and disgusted with V's actions, vowing to escape from V. In an effort to escape from the Shadow Gallery, she briefly explains her past to V and inquires as to whether there is anything she could do to help. Later, he devises a plan to infiltrate the bedroom of a lecherous bishop, requiring Evey's assistance. Evey attempts to betray V's plot to the bishop, but he doesn't believe her. After V appears, Evey escapes to the home of a superior from BTN, Gordon Deitrich (]), who reveals to her that he is a closet homosexual and collector of banned art and literature. When Gordon makes a last minute change to a TV program he is hosting, satirizing the High Chancellor, the Fingermen raid Gordon's home, attack and arrest Gordon, and Evey is captured. She is incarcerated and tortured for days, finding solace only in the notes left by a previous prisoner named Valerie, who was imprisoned and persecuted for being a lesbian. Evey is told that she will be executed unless she reveals V's whereabouts; she declares that she would rather die, and finds herself released. Evey discovers that she has been in the Shadow Gallery all along, her imprisonment staged by V. By forcing Evey to endure something similar to what he had endured at ] detention center, V hoped that Evey would understand that "integrity", "the very last inch of us", is more important than our lives. Evey initially hates V for what he has done, but comes to realize that the experience allows life without fear. She leaves V, promising to return before ]. | |||
] | |||
Meanwhile, Inspector Finch (]), investigating V, learns how Norsefire came to power, and about V’s origins. 14 years previously, Britain suffered from war and terrorism. The ultra-conservative Norsefire party led a reactionary purge to restore order; so-called enemies of the state disappeared overnight. The country, deeply divided over the loss of freedom, found itself united by a ] attack that killed about 100,000 people. The fear generated by the attack allowed Norsefire to silence all opposition and win the next election by a landslide. A cure for the virus was discovered soon thereafter. With the silent consent of the people, Norsefire turned Britain into a bigoted totalitarian order, with their leader Adam Sutler (]) as High Chancellor. However, the viral catastrophe was itself engineered by Norsefire as a ploy to gain power. The virus had been engineered through deadly experimentation on "social deviants" and political dissidents at Larkhill detention center. V had been one of the prisoners, but rather than being killed by the experiments he gained heightened mental and physical abilities. V was the only survivor among the 48 included in the experiment, eventually escaping the center by blowing it up from his cell, vowing to take revenge on Norsefire's regime. | |||
V kills Norsefire chief propagandist Lewis Prothero, coroner Dr. Delia Surridge, and, with Evey's assistance, Anthony Lilliman, the ], ] and corrupt priest from Larkhill, whom V gets to by using Evey. Evey flees after betraying V, hoping to be forgiven by Norsefire. Assigned to capture V, Chief Inspector Eric Finch uses Surridge's journal and information from former covert operative William Rookwood (V in disguise), discovering that, two decades earlier, Surridge led biological weapons research and human experimentation at the Larkhill Detention Facility on behalf of then-Undersecretary of Defense Adam Sutler, creating the "St Mary's Virus". Although dozens of political prisoners died during experimentation, an amnesiac in cell "V" developed mutated immunities and disfigurements as well as physical enhancements and eventually destroyed Larkhill during his escape. Peter Creedy, head of the secret police, faked a terrorist attack by releasing the virus at targets including St. Mary's and used the resulting public fear to embed Norsefire in power. Simultaneously, the company manufacturing the cure enriched leading party members such as Prothero and Lilliman. | |||
As November 5 nears, V's various schemes cause chaos in Britain, as the population grows more and more rebellious and ] toward government authority. On the eve of November 5, V is again visited by Evey, and shows her a train which he has filled with explosives in order to destroy Parliament via the abandoned ]. He delegates the destruction of Parliament to Evey, believing that the ultimate decision should not come from him. V departs to meet Party leader Creedy, who has agreed to deliver the Chancellor to V in exchange for V's surrender: V had manipulated Finch into putting heavy police surveillance on Creedy, and fooled Creedy into thinking that Sutler had ordered it, preparing for Creedy to take the blame should Sutler's regime ever fall. Creedy kills the Chancellor in front of V, but V does not surrender, instead killing Creedy and his men. V, mortally wounded by gunfire, returns to Evey. He thanks her, professes his love for her but (as in ]) professes a greater love for revenge, before dying. Evey considers removing V's mask to kiss him, but decides not to, kissing the mask instead, leaving his identity a mystery. His body is placed upon the train with the explosives, reminiscent of a ]. | |||
Evey takes shelter with her former boss, talkshow host Gordon Dietrich, who shows her his collection of illegal materials such as subversive paintings, an antique ], and homoerotic photographs. Emboldened by Evey and V, he satirizes Sutler on his show, leading to his and Evey's arrest and his eventual execution. She takes solace in a note hidden in her cell written by Valerie Page, a woman imprisoned in the cell next to V's, detailing her hopes despite her impending death. Tortured and facing her own execution, Evey refuses to submit to her captors and is released, finding herself in V's lair. V had intercepted Evey before Creedy's men and subjected her to false imprisonment (and ]) so she could learn to live without fear. Although initially angry at V, Evey realizes that he has been avenging Valerie and the other Larkhill victims and promises to return to see him before 5 November. To kill the otherwise unreachable High Chancellor, V convinces Creedy to betray Sutler and replace him in exchange for V's surrender. | |||
Evey is about to send the train down the track when she is discovered by Inspector Finch. Finch, having learned much about the corruption of the Norsefire regime, allows Evey to proceed. Meanwhile, thousands of Londoners, all wearing ] masks, march on Parliament to watch the event. Because Creedy and the Chancellor are dead, the military stands down in the face of a civil rebellion. The Houses of Parliament are destroyed by a series of explosions. On a nearby rooftop Evey and Finch watch the scene together and wait for a better tomorrow. | |||
{{endspoilers}} | |||
As 5 November approaches, V has hundreds of thousands of Guy Fawkes masks distributed across the nation, leading to a rise in masked, anonymous chaos and eventually riots after the secret police kill a young masked girl. V shares a dance with Evey before leading her to the shuttered London underground he restored over the previous decade. Not intending to survive the night, V bequeaths the decision to start the explosive-filled train to Evey. Although she pleads that he abandon his crusade and leave with her, he refuses. Creedy meets V and executes Sutler before demanding V unmask. Despite being shot and heavily injured, V kills Creedy and his men, stating that the idea he represents is more important than his identity. V returns to Evey, dying in her arms after admitting he loves her, and Finch finds her placing V's body aboard the train but, having become disillusioned with Norsefire, allows her to start it after she affirms that the people need hope. With Sutler and Creedy dead, the military forces in London stand down as countless citizens dressed as V descend on Parliament and witness its destruction. Finch asks for V's true identity, to which Evey replies, "He was all of us." | |||
== Development == | |||
==Cast== | |||
The film was made by many of the same filmmakers involved in ]. In 1988, producer Joel Silver acquired the rights to two of Alan Moore's texts: ''V for Vendetta'' and '']''.<ref name="vendettasite">{{cite web | title=V for Vendetta news | publisher=Warner Brothers | work=vforvendetta.com | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/index2.html | accessdate=31 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> The Wachowski brothers were fans of ''V for Vendetta'' and in the mid-1990s, before working on '']'', wrote a draft screenplay that closely followed the graphic novel. During the post-production of the second and third ''Matrix'' films, the Wachowski brothers revisited the screenplay and offered the director's role to James McTeigue and Pedro Esteves. All three were intrigued by the theme of the original story and found them to be relevant to the current political landscape. Upon revisiting the screenplay, the Brothers set about making revisions to condense and modernize the story, while at the same time attempting to preserve its integrity and themes.<ref name="official production">{{cite web | title=Production Notes for V for Vendetta | work=official webpage | publisher=vforvendetta.com | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/prod_notes_ch_02.html | accessdate=14 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
{{multiple image | |||
| total_width = 500 | |||
| direction = horizontal | |||
| align = right | |||
| footer = (Left to right) ] (pictured in 2015), ] (2018), and ] (circa 2010) | |||
| image1 = Natalie Portman Cannes 2015 4.jpg | |||
| alt1 = A photograph of Natalie Portman | |||
| image2 = MJK 08925 Hugo Weaving (Berlinale 2018) bw43.jpg | |||
| alt2 = A photograph of Hugo Weaving | |||
| image3 = Stephen Rea.jpg | |||
| alt3 = A photograph of Stephen Rea | |||
}} | |||
<!--- Cast and order per tombstone closing credits, roles per closing credits scroll ---> | |||
* ] as ], a masked, charismatic and skilled anarchist terrorist who had been the unwilling subject of experimentation by ]. ] originally portrayed the character, but left six weeks into filming. He remained uncredited, with Weaving replacing him on set and redubbing Purefoy's scenes.<ref name="purefoy">{{cite web |date=24 February 2006 |title=James Purefoy Quit 'V for Vendetta' Because He Hated Wearing the Mask. |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/02/24/james_purefoy_quit_v_for_vendetta_becaus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606173245/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/02/24/james_purefoy_quit_v_for_vendetta_becaus |archive-date=6 June 2011 |access-date=7 April 2006 |work=starpulse.com}}</ref> | |||
* ] as ], an employee of the state-run British Television Network who is rescued by V from a gang of London's ] and subsequently becomes involved in his life. | |||
* ] as ] Eric Finch of ] and Minister of Investigations (the "Nose"), the lead investigator in the V investigation, who uncovers an unspeakable government crime. When asked whether the politics attracted him to the film, Rea replied "Well, I don't think it would be very interesting if it was just comic book stuff. The politics of it are what gives it its dimension and momentum, and of course I was interested in the politics. Why wouldn't I be?"<ref name="Stephen Rea">{{Cite news|work=eventguide |last=Byrne |first=Paul |title=The Rea Thing |url=http://www.eventguide.ie/articles.elive?session_id=114423590894&sku=060313201506 |publisher=InterArt Media |access-date=13 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227101134/http://www.eventguide.ie/articles.elive?session_id=114423590894&sku=060313201506 |archive-date=27 December 2008}}</ref> | |||
* ] as Gordon Deitrich, a closeted gay ] host. When asked in an interview what he liked about the role, Fry replied "Being beaten up! I hadn't been beaten up in a movie before and I was very excited by the idea of being clubbed to death."<ref name="filmfocus">{{Cite news|last=Utichi |first=Joe |url=http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/lookat.asp?FilmbaseID=20636&FeatureID=78 |title=Exclusive Interview with Stephen Fry — V for Vendetta |publisher=Filmfocus |date=20 March 2006 |access-date=4 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222040/http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/lookat.asp?FilmbaseID=20636&FeatureID=78 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> | |||
* ] as Adam Sutler, the former ] ] and ]. High Chancellor Sutler is the founder of Norsefire and is Britain's authoritarian elected leader. Hurt also portrays two "Fake Sutler" actors lampooning him in an episode of Gordon Deitrich's talk show.<ref name="v for vendetta interviews">{{cite web | publisher=Warner Bros. | title=V for Vendetta Press Footage | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/video_press.html | access-date=30 April 2006 | archive-date=18 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718002338/http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/video_press.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Logos">{{Cite news |work=logosjournal.com |last=Jacobsen |first=Kurt |url=http://www.logosjournal.com/issue_5.3/jacobsen.htm |title=V for Vendetta – Graphic Enough? |publisher=Logos Journal |access-date=13 January 2007 |archive-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216210209/http://www.logosjournal.com/issue_5.3/jacobsen.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
* ] as Peter Creedy, Norsefire's Party leader and the head of Britain's secret police (the "Finger").<ref name="official production" /> | |||
* ] as Dominic Stone, Chief Inspector Finch's sergeant. | |||
* ] as Lewis Prothero, the "Voice of London", a propagandist for Norsefire, and formerly the commander of Larkhill Detention Centre. | |||
* ] as Roger Dascombe, the head of the government's propaganda division (the "Mouth") and chief executive of the British Television Network. | |||
* ] as Dr. Delia Surridge, the former head physician at the Larkhill Detention Centre, now a ]. | |||
* ] as Valerie Page, a ] imprisoned for her sexuality. | |||
**] as Young Valerie Page | |||
* ] as Anthony Lilliman, a corrupt bishop at ] and the former priest at Larkhill Detention Centre. | |||
* ] as Brian Etheridge, the head of the government's audio surveillance division (the "Ear"). | |||
* ] as ], the historical figure involved in the failed ] of 1605. | |||
* ] as Conrad Heyer, the head of the government's visual surveillance division (the "Eye"). | |||
==Themes and interpretations== | |||
Moore explicitly disassociated himself from the film, continuing a series of disputes over film adaptations of his work. He ended cooperation with his publisher, ], after its corporate parent, ], failed to retract statements about Moore's supposed endorsement of the film. Moore said that the script contained plot holes<ref name="comicbookresource">{{cite web | publisher=comicbookresources.com | title=MOORE SLAMS V FOR VENDETTA MOVIE, PULLS LoEG FROM DC COMICS | url=http://comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2153 | accessdate=5 June | accessyear=2005}}</ref> and that it ran contrary to the theme of his original work, which was to place two political extremes (] and ]) against one another. He argues his work had been recast as a story about "current ] vs. current ]".<ref name="mooreinterview">{{cite web | work=MILE HIGH COMICS presents THE BEAT at COMICON.com | publisher=GIANT Magazine | title=A FOR ALAN, Pt. 1: The Alan Moore interview | url=http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/2006/03/a_for_alan_pt_1_the_alan_moore.html | accessdate=21 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> As per his wishes, Moore's name does not appear in the film's closing credits. Meanwhile, co-creator and illustrator ] supports the film adaptation, commenting that the script is very good and that Moore would only ever be truly happy with a complete book-to-screen adaptation.<ref name="vendettasite"/> | |||
''V for Vendetta'' sets the ] as V's historical inspiration, contributing to his choice of timing, language, and appearance.<ref name="official production" /> For example, the names ], ] and ] are used in the film, which are also the names of three of the Gunpowder conspirators. The film creates parallels to ]'s '']'', by drawing direct comparisons between V and ]. (In both stories, the hero escapes an unjust and traumatic imprisonment and spends decades preparing to take vengeance on his oppressors under a new ].)<ref name="Chum">{{cite web|last=Andersen |first=Neil |url=http://www.chumlimited.com/mediaed/guidepage_scanning.asp?studyID=162|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207170901/http://www.chumlimited.com/mediaed/guidepage_scanning.asp?studyID=162|archive-date=7 December 2006|title=V for Vendetta |work=CHUM.mediaeducation.com |access-date=20 January 2007}}</ref><ref name="ReviewJournal">{{Cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-02-Sun-2006/opinion/6487876.html|title=VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: I wanted to like 'V for Vendetta'|last=Suprynowicz|first=Vin|date=2 April 2006|access-date=20 January 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009142843/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Apr-02-Sun-2006/opinion/6487876.html|archive-date=9 October 2012|publisher=BoxOfficeCritic.com}}</ref><ref name="BoxOfficeCritic">{{Cite news|last= Peterman |first= Eileen |url= http://www.boxofficecritic.com/reviewsdetail.asp?id=99&pageno=1 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060826044301/http://www.boxofficecritic.com/reviewsdetail.asp?id=99&pageno=1 |archive-date= 26 August 2006|title= V for Vendetta (R) |publisher=BoxOfficeCritic.com |date=9 April 2006 |access-date=20 January 2007}}</ref> The film is also explicit in portraying V as the embodiment of an idea rather than an individual through V's dialogue and by depicting him without a past, identity or face. According to the official website, "V's use of the Guy Fawkes mask and persona functions as both practical and symbolic elements of the story. He wears the mask to hide his physical scars, and in obscuring his identity – he becomes the idea itself."<ref name="official production" /> | |||
As noted by several critics and commentators, the film's story and style mirror elements from ]'s '']''.<ref name="Ebert">{{Cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/v-for-vendetta-2006 |title='Dystopia' with a capital V |work=rogerebert.com |access-date=17 June 2021 |date=16 March 2006 |archive-date=3 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503014441/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/v-for-vendetta-2006 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sfgate">{{Cite news | last=Stein | first=Ruthe | title=In 'Vendetta,' disastrous U.S. and British policymaking gives rise to terrorism – what a shocker | url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/16/DDGG9HO5VT1.DTL&type=movies | date=16 March 2006 | access-date=4 January 2006 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | archive-date=16 December 2012 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216113620/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/16/DDGG9HO5VT1.DTL&type=movies | url-status=dead }}</ref> V and the Phantom both wear masks to hide their disfigurements, control others through the leverage of their imaginations, have tragic pasts, and are motivated by revenge. V and Evey's relationship also parallels many of the romantic elements of ''The Phantom of the Opera'', where the masked Phantom takes ] to his subterranean lair to re-educate her.<ref name="Ebert" /><ref name="sfgate" /><ref name="Rolllingstones">{{cite web|last=Travers |first=Peter | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/7222868/review/9440903/v_for_vendetta| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724202516/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/7222868/review/9440903/v_for_vendetta| archive-date=24 July 2008|title=V for Vendetta| work=rollingstones.com|url-status=dead | access-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> | |||
== Production == | |||
As a film about the struggle between freedom and the state, ''V for Vendetta'' takes imagery from many classic totalitarian icons both real and fictional, including the ] and ]'s '']''.<ref name="official production" /><ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> For example, Adam Sutler<ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> primarily appears on large video screens and on portraits in people's homes, both common features among modern totalitarian regimes and reminiscent of the image of ]. There is also the state's use of ], such as ], on its citizens – reminiscent of the comprehensive mass surveillance systems currently deployed in many nations, such as China or the United Kingdom. The name Adam Sutler is intentionally similar to ]. Both are given to hysterical speech; Sutler is also a ], although ] have been replaced by ]s and ] as the focus of Norsefire ethnoreligious propaganda and persecution. Valerie was sent to a detention facility for her ] and then had medical experiments performed on her,<ref name="afterellen" /> reminiscent of the ] and ].<ref name="sfgate" /> | |||
''V for Vendetta'' was filmed in London, ] and in ], ] at ]. Much of the film was shot on ]s and indoor sets, with location work done in ] for three scenes: the Norsefire rally flashback, Larkhill, and Bishop Lilliman’s bedroom. The scenes that took place in the abandoned ] were filmed at the disused ]. Filming began in early March, 2005, and principal photography officially wrapped in early June of 2005.<ref name="vendettasite"/> ''V for Vendetta'' is the final film shot by ] ], who died of a heart attack on ] ]. | |||
{{quote box|width=30%|We felt the novel was very prescient to how the political climate is at the moment. It really showed what can happen when society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people. I don't think it's such a big leap to say that things like that can happen when leaders stop listening to the people.|source=—James McTeigue, director<ref name="official production" />}} | |||
The film was designed to have a future-retro look, with a heavy use of grey tones to give a dreary, stagnant feel to totalitarian London. The largest set created for the film was the Shadow Gallery, which was made to feel like a cross between a crypt and an ].<ref name="Unmasked">{{cite visual | crew=Warner Bros | date=2006 | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0775408 | title=V for Vendetta Unmasked | medium=TV-Special | location=United States | distributor=Warner Bros.}}</ref> The Gallery is V's home as well as the place where he stores various artifacts forbidden by the government. Some of the works of art displayed in the gallery include '']'' by ], '']'' by ], a '']'' poster, ''St. Sebastian'' by Andrea Mantegna and '']'' by ]. | |||
The filmmakers added topical references relevant to a 2006 audience. According to the '']'', "With a wealth of new, real life parallels to draw from in the areas of government surveillance, torture, ] and ], not to mention ] and religious hypocrisy, you can't really blame the filmmakers for having a field day referencing current events." There are also references to an ] pandemic,<ref name="LaTimes">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/cl-et-vendetta17mar17,1,1139774.story|title=V for Vendetta|last=Chocano|first=Carina|date=17 March 2006|work=]|access-date=17 March 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112130758/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/cl-et-vendetta17mar17,1,1139774.story|archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> as well as pervasive use of ] and ] and analysis by the regime. | |||
Film critics, political commentators and other members of the media have also noted the film's numerous references to events surrounding the ] in the United States. These include the hoods and sacks worn by the prisoners in Larkhill that have been seen as a reference to the ].<ref name="The Age">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/03/16/1142098594274.html |title=Gunpowder, treason and plot |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |publisher=Fairfax Digital |access-date=19 March 2006 |date=19 March 2006 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227044853/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/03/16/1142098594274.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The New Yorker">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/03/20/blowup-5|title=BLOWUP: V for Vendetta|author=David Denby|date=12 March 2006|magazine=]|publisher=Conde Nast|access-date=13 March 2006|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203031/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/03/20/blowup-5|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] and ] are also referenced.<ref name="Christianity Today">{{Cite news | url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2006/vforvendetta.html | title=V for Vendetta | author=Breimeier, Russ | work=Christianitytoday.com | date=16 March 2006 | access-date=29 April 2006 | archive-date=2 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502145735/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/marchweb-only/vforvendetta.html | url-status=live }}</ref> One of the forbidden items in Gordon's secret basement is a protest poster with a mixed US–UK flag with a ] and the title "Coalition of the Willing, To Power" which combines the "]" with ] concept of ].<ref name="From Script to Film">{{Cite book|last= Lamm |first= Spencer |title= V for Vendetta: from Script to Film |publisher= Universe |date=August 2006|isbn= 0-7893-1520-3 |page=241 }}</ref> | |||
One of the major challenges in the film was how to bring V to life from under an expressionless mask. Thus, considerable effort was made to bring together lighting, acting and Weaving's voice to create the proper mood for the situation. In order to prevent the mask from muffling Weaving's voice, a microphone was placed in his hairline to aid post-production, when his entire dialogue was re-recorded.<ref name="sffworld">{{cite web | work=ssfworld.com | title=V for Vendetta - About the production | url=http://www.sffworld.com/news/247.html | accessdate=22 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
Despite the America-specific references, the filmmakers have always referred to the film as adding dialogue to a set of issues much broader than the US administration.<ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> When James McTeigue was asked whether or not BTN was based on ], McTeigue replied, "Yes. But not just Fox. Everyone is complicit in this kind of stuff. It could just as well been the Britain's ] Channel, also a part of ]."<ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> | |||
To film the final scene at ], the area from ] and ] up to Parliament and ] had to be closed for three nights from 12–5 a.m., and the crew was only allowed to stop traffic for four minutes at a time. This was the first time the security-sensitive area (home to ] and the ]) had ever been closed to accommodate filming.<ref name="sffworld" /> Prime Minister ]'s son ] worked on the film's production and is said (through an interview with Stephen Fry) to have helped the filmmakers obtain the unparalleled filming access. This drew criticism for Blair from MP ] due to the content of the film. However, the makers of the film deny Euan Blair's involvement in the deal,<ref name="tony blair's son">{{cite web | publisher=The Guardian | title=How E got the V in Vendetta | url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1737806,00.html | date=March 23, 2006 | accessdate=13 May | accessyear=2006}}</ref> stating that access was acquired through nine months of negotiations with 14 different government departments and agencies.<ref name="sffworld" /> | |||
== |
==Production== | ||
===Development=== | |||
The film was made by many of the same filmmakers involved in ]. In 1988, producer Joel Silver acquired the rights to two of ]'s works: '']'' and '']''.<ref name="vendettasite">{{cite web| title=V for Vendetta news | publisher=] | work=vforvendetta.com | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/index2.html | access-date=31 March 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315172448/http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/index2.html | archive-date=15 March 2006}}</ref> After the release and relative success of ], writer ] was brought on to flesh out the project with an initial draft – one that bears little, if any, relation to the finished product, with the inclusion of overtly satirical and surrealistic elements not present in the graphic novel, as well as the removal of much of the novel's ambiguity, especially in regard to V's identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/Henkin.html|title=V for Vendetta: the Henkin Script|website=Shadow galaxy|access-date=22 February 2010|archive-date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419100640/http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/Henkin.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wachowskis were fans of ''V for Vendetta'' and in the mid-1990s, before working on '']'', wrote a draft screenplay that closely followed the graphic novel. During the post-production of the second and third ''The Matrix'' films, they revisited the screenplay and offered the director's role to ]. All three were intrigued by the original story's themes and found them to be relevant to the contemporary political landscape. Upon revisiting the screenplay, the Wachowskis set about making revisions to condense and modernise the story, while at the same time attempting to preserve its integrity and themes. James McTeigue cites the film '']'' as his principal influence in preparing to film ''V for Vendetta''.<ref name="official production">{{cite web| title=Production Notes for V for Vendetta | work=official webpage | publisher=vforvendetta.com | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/prod_notes_ch_02.html | access-date=14 April 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315180047/http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/prod_notes_ch_02.html| archive-date=15 March 2006}}</ref> | |||
Moore explicitly disassociated himself from the film due to his lack of involvement in its writing or directing, as well as due to a continuing series of disputes over film adaptations of his work.<ref name="IGN">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/18/v-for-vendetta-comic-vs-film|title=V for Vendetta: Comic vs. Film|last=Goldstein|first=Hilary|date=17 March 2006|access-date=13 January 2007|publisher=]|archive-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016000332/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/18/v-for-vendetta-comic-vs-film|url-status=live}}</ref> He ended cooperation with his publisher, ], after its corporate parent, ], failed to retract statements about Moore's supposed endorsement of the film. Moore said that the script contained plot holes<ref name="comicbookresource">{{Cite news|last=Johnston |first=Rich |url=https://www.cbr.com/291190-2/ |title=Moore Slams V For Vendetta Movie, Pulls LoEG From DC Comics |publisher=] |date=23 May 2005 |access-date=3 January 2006}}</ref> and that it ran contrary to the theme of his original work, which was to place two political extremes (fascism and ]) against one another. He argues his work had been recast as a story about "current ] vs. current ]".<ref name="mooreinterview">{{Cite news|last=MacDonald |first=Heidi |url=http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/2006/03/a_for_alan_pt_1_the_alan_moore.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305213808/http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/2006/03/a_for_alan_pt_1_the_alan_moore.html |archive-date=5 March 2007 |title=A FOR ALAN, Pt. 1: The Alan Moore interview |publisher=GIANT Magazine |date=15 March 2006 |access-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> Per his wishes, Moore's name does not appear in the film's closing credits. Co-creator and illustrator ] supports the film adaptation, commenting that the script is very good but that Moore would only ever be truly happy with a complete book-to-screen adaptation.<ref name="vendettasite" /> In 2021, Lloyd revealed that Moore had wanted to make ''V for Vendetta'' into a movie around the time the comic book was originally being conceived.<ref>{{cite web |last1=HeroJournalism |title=Artist David Lloyd on V for Vendetta, the Movie & Disagreeing with Alan Moore |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh1O2f8LX_8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Vh1O2f8LX_8 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |date=27 May 2021 |access-date=3 July 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
* '''] as ]:''' Director James McTeigue first met Portman on the set of '']'', where he worked with her as assistant director. In preparing for the role, Portman worked with ] Barbara Berkery in order to perform with an English accent. She also studied films like '']'' and read the autobiography of ].<ref name="official production"/> Portman received top billing for the film. | |||
===Casting=== | |||
* '''] as ]:''' ] was originally cast as V but left six weeks into filming due to difficulties wearing the mask for the entire film.<ref name="purefoy">{{cite web | work=starpulse.com | title=James Purefoy Quit 'V For Vendetta' Because He Hated Wearing The Mask | url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/02/24/james_purefoy_quit_v_for_vendetta_becaus | accessdate=7 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> He was replaced by Hugo Weaving, who previously worked with Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers on '']'' as ]. However, parts of the film still contain scenes from Purefoy with only a voiceover from Weaving. When also taking into account the stunt men who also played V, there were actually several people who played V in the film.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web | work=MTV.com | title=Rebels without a pause. Portman and Weaving fight the power in V for Vendetta | url=http://www.mtv.com/shared/movies/features/v/v_for_vendetta_060310/index2.jhtml?epiNum=1 | accessdate=May 3 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
] was originally cast as V, but dropped out after six weeks into filming. Although at the time it was reported this was because of difficulties wearing the mask for the entire film,<ref name="purefoy"/> he later stated that it was really due to creative differences on how V should be portrayed.<ref name="purefoy2">{{cite web |last1=Pevens |first1=Lane |title=The Truth About James Purefoy's Decision To Quit 'V For Vendetta' |date=5 December 2020 |url=https://www.thethings.com/why-james-purefoy-quit-v-for-vendetta/ |access-date=7 June 2021 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001752/https://www.thethings.com/why-james-purefoy-quit-v-for-vendetta/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was replaced by ], who had previously worked with Joel Silver and the Wachowskis<!--Please see talk page before altering this to Lana. The credits listed here must match the credits in the film.--> on ]. | |||
Director James McTeigue first met ] during the filming of '']'', on which he worked as assistant director. In preparation for the role, Portman worked with dialect coach Barbara Berkery to speak in an English accent, studied films such as '']'', and read the autobiography of ].<ref name="official production" /> She received top billing for the film. Her role in the film has parallels to her role in '']''.<ref name="IGN" /> According to Portman: "the relationship between V and Evey has a complication the relationship in that film. There's moments when it's father/daughter. There's moments when it's like lovers, it has moments when it's mentor/student. And many times all at once."<ref name="About">{{cite web|url=http://movies.about.com/od/vforvendetta/a/vendetta072505_2.htm|title=Natalie Portman and Joel Silver Talk About "V for Vendetta"|author=Murray, Rebecca|publisher=About.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405182234/http://movies.about.com/od/vforvendetta/a/vendetta072505_2.htm|archive-date=5 April 2015|access-date=4 January 2007}}</ref> | |||
* '''] as ]''': Eric Finch is technically the ] of the ], nicknamed "the Nose". However, the title "Chief Constable" has since fallen out of favour in Britain after one protested the Reclamation. Finch's Irish background causes his loyalties to be questioned by Creedy. Actor Stephen Rea is also Irish and, interestingly, was once married to ], a former member of the ], imprisoned for bombing the ].<ref name="Stephen Rea">{{cite web | work=eventguide | title=Film Interview — Stephen Rea / ‘V For Vendetta’ - The Rea Thing | url=http://www.eventguide.ie/articles.elive?session_id=114423590894&sku=060313201506 | publisher=InterArt Media | accessdate=13 May | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> | |||
===Filming=== | |||
* '''] as ]''': A former ] ] and ], Sutler founded ] which won a landslide election victory after (staged) terrorist attacks weakened confidence in the government. Sutler was appointed to a new office of High Chancellor, becoming the de facto dictator of Britain. Playing Chancellor Sutler was a complete role reversal for John Hurt, as he played the part of ], a victim of the state in the ]. | |||
''V for Vendetta'' was filmed in ], England, and in ], Germany, at ]. Much of the film was shot on ]s and indoor sets, with location work done in ] for three scenes: the Norsefire rally flashback, Larkhill, and Bishop Lilliman's bedroom. The scenes that took place in the abandoned ] were filmed at the disused ]. Filming began in early March 2004 and lasted through early June 2004.<ref name="vendettasite" /> ''V for Vendetta'' is the final film shot by ] ], who died of a heart attack on 7 December 2005, 9 months after the movie's world debut.<ref>Guard, Howard | |||
{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041532/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/jan/19/guardianobituaries.film |date=28 February 2018 }}, www.guardian.co.uk, 18 January 2006. Retrieved 10 June 2012</ref> | |||
To film the final scene at ], the area from ] and ] up to Parliament and ] had to be closed for three nights from midnight until 5 am. This was the first time the security-sensitive area (home to ] and the ]) had ever been closed to accommodate filming.<ref name="About the Production" /> Then-Prime Minister ]'s son, Euan, worked on the film's production and is said (according to an interview with Stephen Fry) to have helped the filmmakers obtain the unparalleled filming access. This drew criticism of Blair from ] ] due to the film's content. However, the filmmakers denied Euan Blair's involvement in the deal,<ref name="tony blair's son">{{Cite news | work=] | title=How E got the V in Vendetta | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/mar/23/news | date=23 March 2006 | access-date=13 May 2006 | location=London | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305120808/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/mar/23/news | url-status=live }}</ref> stating that access was acquired through nine months of negotiations with 14 different government departments and agencies.<ref name="About the Production" /> | |||
* '''] as ]''': Talk show host Gordon Deitrich is a ] homosexual who, due to the restrictions of the regime, has "lost his appetite" over the years. This has some parallels with Stephen Fry, who is also homosexual and had famously practiced a celibate lifestyle for over 16 years. When asked in an interview what he liked about the role, Stephen replied, "Being beaten up! I hadn't been beaten up in a movie before and I was very excited by the idea of being clubbed to death."<ref name="filmfocus">{{cite web | work=filmfocus.com | title=Exclusive Interview with Stephen Fry - V for Vendetta | url=http://www.filmfocus.co.uk/lookat.asp?FilmbaseID=20636&FeatureID=78 | accessdate=19 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
===Post-production=== | |||
* '''] as ]''': Dr. Surridge was the head physician at the Larkhill detention centre. V states that the torture and death at Larkhill was only possible because of her research. She apologizes to V before she dies. | |||
The film was designed to have a ] look, with heavy use of grey tones to give a dreary, stagnant feel to totalitarian London. The largest set created for the film was the Shadow Gallery, which was made to feel like a cross between a crypt and an ].<ref name="Unmasked">{{cite video | people=Warner Bros |year=2006 | title=V for Vendetta Unmasked | medium=TV-Special | location=United States|publisher=Warner Bros.}}</ref> | |||
One of the major challenges in the film was how to bring V to life from under an expressionless mask. Thus, considerable effort was made to bring together lighting, acting, and Weaving's voice to create the proper mood for the situation. Since the mask muffled Weaving's voice, his entire dialogue was re-recorded in post-production.<ref name="About the Production">{{cite web| work=Official website | title=V for Vendetta — About the production | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/prod_notes_ch_03.html | access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315180056/https://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/prod_notes_ch_03.html |archive-date=2006-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
* '''] as ] ]''': Lilliman is a corrupt ] bishop at ], installed into this position by Sutler. In regards to his role as Lilliman, Standing remarks, "I thoroughly enjoyed playing Lilliman... because he's slightly comic and utterly atrocious. Lovely to do."<ref name="official production"/> | |||
===Music and soundtrack=== | |||
* '''] as ]''': Creedy is both Norsefire's party leader and the head of Britain's Secret Police, the Finger. While Sutler is the Chancellor, the real power of the regime lies with Creedy.<ref name="official production"/> | |||
{{main|V for Vendetta: Music from the Motion Picture|l1=''V for Vendetta: Music from the Motion Picture''}} | |||
The ''V for Vendetta'' ] was released by ] on 21 March 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7042674|title=Detailed V For Vendetta Soundtrack Music Information|work=]|publisher=Muze Inc|access-date=15 January 2011|archive-date=1 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501174623/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7042674|url-status=live}}</ref> The original scores from the film's composer, ], make up most of the tracks on the album.<ref name="tillnes2006">{{cite web|last=Tillnes |first=John |title=Soundtrack Review: V for Vendetta by Dario Marianelli (2006) |url=http://soundtrackgeek.com/2008/03/09/soundtrack-review-v-for-vendetta-by-dario-marianelli-2006/ |work=Soundtrack Geek |publisher=Soundtrackgeek.com |access-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201043653/http://soundtrackgeek.com/2008/03/09/soundtrack-review-v-for-vendetta-by-dario-marianelli-2006/ |archive-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack also features three vocals played during the film: "]" by ], a cover of ] song "I Found a Reason" by ] and "Bird Gerhl" by ].<ref name="tillnes2006"/> As mentioned in the film, these songs are samples of the 872 ] tracks on V's ] that V "reclaimed" from the Ministry of Objectionable Materials. The climax of ]'s '']'' appears at the end of the track "Knives and Bullets (and Cannons too)". The Overture's '']'' is played at key parts at the beginning and end of the film. | |||
Three songs were played during the ending credits which were not included on the ''V for Vendetta'' soundtrack.<ref name="tillnes2006"/> The first was "]" by the ]. The second was a special version of ]'s "BKAB". In keeping with revolutionary tone of the film, excerpts from "On Black Power" (also in "A Declaration of Independence") by ] leader ], and from "Address to the Women of America" by feminist writer ] were added to the song. Gloria Steinem can be heard saying: "This is no simple reform ... It really is a revolution. Sex and race, because they are easy and visible differences, have been the primary ways of organising human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labour on which this system still depends." The final song was "]" by ]. | |||
* '''] as ]''': Dominic is Inspector Finch’s lieutenant in the V investigation. | |||
Also in the film were segments from two of ]'s classic ] songs, "]" and "]". These songs were played during the "breakfast scenes" with V and Deitrich and were one of the ways used to tie the two characters together. ] also plays an important role in the film, with the first four notes of the first movement signifying the letter "V" in ].<ref name="graphic novel">{{Cite book|last= Moore |first= Alan |author2=David Lloyd |title= V for Vendetta |quote=Inspector Finch recognises the background noise as Beethoven's Fifth, and states: "It's Morse code for the letter "V"" |publisher= Vertigo |date=November 2005|isbn= 1-4012-0792-8 |title-link= V for Vendetta }}</ref><ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news | publisher=BBC News | title=Newswatch 1940s | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/newswatch/history/noflash/html/1940s.stm | access-date=21 November 2006 | archive-date=28 July 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728200526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/newswatch/history/noflash/html/1940s.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> Gordon Deitrich's ]-styled comedy sketch of Chancellor Sutler includes the "]" theme. Inspector Finch's alarm clock begins the morning of 4 November with the song "Long Black Train" by ], which contains the ] lyrics "Ride the long black train ... take me home black train." | |||
* '''] as ]''': Born in 1985, Valerie starred in her first film, ''The Salt Flats'', in 2015. Three years later, her partner, Ruth, was imprisoned by the government and Valerie was taken shortly afterwards. She was imprisoned at Larkhill (in the cell next to V) and her autobiography inspired V to take vengeance on the state. Valerie's symbolic role as a victim of the state was received positively by many ] critics. Film critic Michael Jensen praised the extraordinarily powerful moment of Valerie's scene "not just because it is beautifully acted and well-written, but because it is so utterly unexpected ."<ref name ="afterellen">{{cite web | work=afterellen.com | title=V for Vendetta: A Brave, Bold Film for Gays and Lesbians | |||
| url=http://www.afterellen.com/Movies/2006/3/vendetta.html | accessdate = 6 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
==Differences between the film and the graphic novel== | |||
* '''] as ]''': Lewis Prothero, "The Voice of London" is the mouthpiece of Norsefire's propaganda division. Prior to becoming "The Voice of London", he was fabulously wealthy by being a major ] of the ] company that "developed" the cure for the St. Mary's virus. He also served in the Middle East, in nations with high political tensions. | |||
The film's story was adapted from Alan Moore and ] graphic novel ''V for Vendetta''; this was originally published between 1982 and 1985 in the British comic anthology '']'', and then reprinted and completed by DC. Moore's comics were later compiled into a graphic novel and published again in the United States under DC's ] imprint and in the United Kingdom under ].<ref>{{Cite news | last = Itzcoff | first = Dave | title = The Vendetta Behind 'V for Vendetta | newspaper = ] | date = 12 March 2006 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/movies/the-vendetta-behind-v-for-vendetta.html | access-date = 16 November 2021 | archive-date = 19 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170419010342/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/movies/the-vendetta-behind-v-for-vendetta.html | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
There are several fundamental differences between the film and the original source material. Alan Moore's original story was created as a response to British Thatcherism in the early 1980s and was set as a conflict between a fascist state and anarchism, while the film's story was changed by the Wachowskis to fit a modern ] political context. Alan Moore, however, charged that, in doing so, the story turned into an American-centric conflict between ] and ], and abandoned the original anarchist–fascist themes. Moore states that "here wasn't a mention of anarchy as far as I could see. The fascism had been completely defanged. I mean, I think that any references to ] had been excised, whereas actually, fascists are quite big on racial purity." Furthermore, in the original story, Moore attempted to maintain moral ambiguity, and not to portray the fascists as caricatures, but as realistic, rounded characters. The time limitations of a film meant that the story had to omit or streamline some of the characters, details, and plotlines from the original story.<ref name="official production" /> | |||
* '''] as ]''': Dascombe is Sutler's head of the propaganda division, the Mouth. He is in charge of the BTN and places the ] on news stories. | |||
Many of the characters from the graphic novel underwent significant changes for the film. V is characterised in the film as a romantic freedom fighter who shows concern over the loss of innocent life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mutantreviewers.com/rvarticle.html |title=V for Vendetta the Page Vs. The Screen |access-date=26 June 2010 | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318221050/http://www.mutantreviewers.com/rvarticle.html |archive-date=18 March 2012 }}</ref> However, in the graphic novel, he is portrayed as ruthless, willing to kill anyone who gets in his way. Evey Hammond's transformation as V's ] is also much more drastic in the novel than in the film. Gordon, a very minor character in both versions, is also drastically changed. In the novel, Gordon is a small-time criminal who takes Evey into his home after V abandons her on the street. The two share a brief romance before Gordon is killed by a Scottish gang. In the film, however, Gordon is a well-mannered colleague of Evey's, and is later revealed to be gay. He is arrested by Fingermen for broadcasting a political parody on his TV program, and is later executed when a ] is found in his possession.<ref name="IGN" /> | |||
* '''] as ]''': Etheridge is the department head of the Ear, which oversees ], random audio sweeps, and large armored vehicles which constantly patrol London, picking up audio signals from civilians. | |||
==Release== | |||
* '''Clive Ashborn as ]''': The story of Guy Fawkes is described in the beginning of the film and serves as the historical inspiration for V. | |||
], London, March 2006]] | |||
The film adopts extensive imagery from the 1605 ], in which a group of Catholic conspirators plotted to destroy the Houses of Parliament in order to spark a revolution in Great Britain.<ref name="vendettasite" /> The film was originally scheduled for release on the weekend of 5 November 2005, the Plot's 400th anniversary, with the tag line "Remember, remember the 5th of November", taken from a traditional British rhyme memorialising the event. However, the marketing angle lost much of its value when the release date was pushed back to 17 March 2006. Many have speculated that the delay was caused by the London tube bombing on the ] and the failed ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Edelman|first=Scott|title=C is for controversy|url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/column/sfw12459.html/|work=scifi.com|publisher=SCI FI|access-date=1 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101022910/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/column/sfw12459.html/ |archive-date=1 January 2008}}</ref> The filmmakers have denied this, saying that the delays were due to the need for more time to finish the visual effects production.<ref name="Postponed">{{Cite news | work=San Francisco Chronicle | title=Natalie Portman's 'V for Vendetta' Postponed | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?entry_id=452 | access-date=25 April 2006 | first=Karen | last=Reardanz | date=23 August 2005 | archive-date=25 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125142257/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?entry_id=452 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''V for Vendetta'' had its first major premiere on 11 December 2005, at ], followed by a premiere on 13 February 2006 at the ].<ref name=numb>{{cite web|url= https://www.indiewire.com/2005/12/b-for-butt-numb-a-thon-223212/|title= B for Butt-Numb-A-Thon|publisher= ]|author= Matt Dentler|date= 11 December 2005|access-date= 27 November 2016|archive-date= 11 December 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201211045438/https://www.indiewire.com/2005/12/b-for-butt-numb-a-thon-223212/|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> It opened for general release on 17 March 2006 in 3,365 cinemas in the United States, the United Kingdom and six other countries.<ref name="boxofficemojo">{{cite web | publisher=] | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | access-date=2 October 2005 | archive-date=3 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503161244/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=vforvendetta.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Marketing=== | |||
== Publicity and release == | |||
====Promotion==== | |||
The cast and filmmakers attended several press conferences that allowed them to address issues surrounding the film, including its authenticity, Alan Moore's reaction to it and its intended political message. The film was intended to be a departure from some of Moore's original themes. In the words of Hugo Weaving: "Alan Moore was writing about something which happened some time ago. It was a response to living in ] Britain ... This is a response to the world in which we live today. So I think that the film and the graphic novel are two separate entities." Regarding the film's controversial political content, the filmmakers have said that the film is intended more to raise questions and add to a dialogue already present in society, rather than provide answers or tell viewers what to think.<ref name="v for vendetta interviews" /> | |||
====Books==== | |||
].]] | |||
The original graphic novel by Moore and Lloyd was re-released as a hardback collection in October 2005 to tie into the film's original release date of 5 November 2005.<ref>{{ASIN|1401207928|title=V for Vendetta }} {{ISBN|978-1-4012-0792-2}}</ref> The film renewed interest in Alan Moore's original story, and sales of the original graphic novel rose dramatically in the United States.<ref name="Televisionpoint">{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2006/newsfullstory.php?id=1143785410|title=V for Vendetta graphic novel is a US Bestseller|date=31 March 2006|work=televisionpoint.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119122204/http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2006/newsfullstory.php?id=1143785410|archive-date=19 November 2006|access-date=2 April 2006}}</ref> | |||
The cast and filmmakers attended several press conferences that allowed them to address issues surrounding the film, including its authenticity, Alan Moore's reaction to it and its intended political message. The responses given at the conferences made it clear that the film was intended to be a departure from some of Moore's original themes. In the words of Hugo Weaving: "Alan Moore was writing about something which happened some time ago. It was a response to living in ] England... This is a response to the world in which we live today. So I think that the film and the graphic novel are two separate entities." Regarding the controversial political content in the film the filmmakers have said that the film is intended more to raise questions and add to a dialogue already present in society, rather than provide answers or tell viewers what to think.<ref name="v for vendetta interviews">{{cite web | publisher=Warner Bros. | title=V for Vendetta Press Footage | url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/cmp/video_press.html | accessdate=30 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
A novelisation of the film, written by ] (no relation to Alan Moore) and based on the Wachowskis' script, was published by ] on 31 January 2006.<ref>{{ASIN|1416516999|title=V for Vendetta: a Novelization}} {{ISBN|978-1416516996}}</ref> Spencer Lamm, who has worked with the Wachowskis, created a "]" book. Titled ''V for Vendetta: From Script to Film'', it was published by Universe on 22 August 2006.<ref>{{ASIN|0789315203|title=V for Vendetta: From Script to Film }} {{ISBN|978-0-7893-1520-5}}</ref> | |||
The film takes extensive imagery from the infamous 1605 ], where a group of ] conspirators plotted to destroy the Houses of Parliament in order to spark a revolution in England.<ref name="vendettasite"/> The film was originally scheduled for release on the weekend of ] ], the 400th anniversary of the Plot, with the tag line "Remember, remember the 5th of November", taken from a traditional British rhyme memorialising the event. However, the marketing angle lost much of its value when the release date was pushed back to ] ]. Many have speculated that the delay was due to the London tube bombings on ] and ]. The film-makers have denied this, saying that the delays were from the need for more time in order to finish the visual effects production.<ref name="Postponed">{{cite web | publisher=sfgate.com | title=Natalie Portman's 'V For Vendetta' Postponed | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=452 | accessdate=25 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> ''V for Vendetta'' had its first major premiere on February 13 at the ].<ref name="v for vendetta interviews"/> It opened for general release on ] ] in 3,365 theatres in the ], the United Kingdom and six other countries.<ref name="boxofficemojo"/> Major theatres decorated the exterior of their buildings with Norsefire flags. | |||
== |
===Home media=== | ||
''V for Vendetta'' was released on DVD in the US on 1 August 2006,<ref>{{cite web|title=V for Vendetta (2006)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/v_for_vendetta/|work=rottentomatoes.com|publisher=Flixster, Inc|access-date=3 July 2010|archive-date=25 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725002002/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_for_vendetta/|url-status=live}}</ref> in three formats: a single-disc widescreen version, a single-disc fullscreen version, and a two-disc ] special edition.<ref name="DVD">{{cite web|title=V for Vendetta (Widescreen Edition)|url=http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/dvd.html/ref=pd_cp_d_0|publisher=warnerbros.com Inc|access-date=17 January 2011|archive-date=25 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725001830/https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/v-vendetta|url-status=live}}</ref> The single disc versions contain a short (15:56) behind-the-scenes ] titled "Freedom! Forever!<ref name="Widescreen">{{ASIN|B000FS9FCG|title=V for Vendetta (Widescreen Edition) (2006)}}</ref> Making V for Vendetta" and the film's ], whereas the two-disc special edition contains three additional documentaries, and several extra features for collectors. On the second disc of the special edition, a short ] clip of Natalie Portman on '']'' can be viewed by selecting the picture of wings on the second page of the menu. | |||
{{main | V for Vendetta (soundtrack)}} | |||
The ''V for Vendetta'' ] was released by ] on ] ]. The original scores from the film's composer, ], make up most of the tracks on the album. Many of the tracks from the original score evince notes with a ], metallic, or fleeting theme, contributing to the generally ] atmosphere of the story. | |||
Its ] edition was a top seller in the United States in late May 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Top Blu-ray Titles |work=Video Business |volume=28 |issue=22 |page=36 |date=2008-06-02 |language=English |issn=0279-571X |id={{Gale|A179621338}} }}</ref> It was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fallon |first1=Sean |title=V for Vendetta Hits 4K Blu-ray With an Exclusive Gift Set and SteelBook |work=] |date=2020-09-11 |url=https://comicbook.com/gear/news/v-for-vendetta-4k-blu-ray-exclusive-gift-set-amazon/ |language=en |access-date=2021-10-25 }}</ref> | |||
The soundtrack also features three vocals played during the film: "]" by ], "I Found a Reason" by ] and "Bird Gerhl" by ]. These songs were a sample of the 872 blacklisted tracks on V's ] that V "reclaimed" from the Ministry of Objectionable Materials. | |||
==Reception== | |||
The climax of ]'s ] appears at the end of the track "Knives and Bullets (and Cannons too)". The revolutionary sounding Overture is played at key parts at the beginning and end of the film. | |||
===Box office=== | |||
By December 2006, ''V for Vendetta'' had grossed $134,686,457, of which $70,511,035 was from the United States. The film led the U.S. box office on its opening day, taking in an estimated $8,742,504, and remained the number one film for the remainder of the weekend, taking in an estimated $25,642,340. Its closest rival, '']'', took in $15,604,892.<ref name="boxofficemojo" /> The film debuted at number one in the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan. ''V for Vendetta'' also opened in 56 ] cinemas in North America, grossing $1.36 million during the opening three days.<ref name="imax">{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects/v-vendetta-posts-strong-imax-opening|title=V for Vendetta Posts Strong IMAX Opening|last=Desowitz|first=Bill|date=21 March 2006|work=vfxworld.com|access-date=22 March 2006|archive-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016185309/http://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects/v-vendetta-posts-strong-imax-opening|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
DVD sales were successful, selling 1,412,865 DVD units in the first week of release which translated to $27,683,818 in revenue. By the end of 2006, 3,086,073 DVD units had been sold, bringing in slightly more than its production cost with $58,342,597.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2006/VFVND-DVD.php |title=V for Vendetta – DVD Sales |work=] |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725002852/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/V-for-Vendetta#tab=video-sales |url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 2018, the film has grossed over {{US$|62 million|long=no}} from ] and ] sales in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=V for Vendetta (2006) – Video Sales |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/V-for-Vendetta#tab=video-sales |website=] |access-date=7 September 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725002848/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/V-for-Vendetta#tab=video-sales |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Three songs were played during the ending credits which were not included on the ''V for Vendetta'' soundtrack. The first was "]" by ]. The second was a special version of ]'s "BKAB". In keeping with revolutionary tone of the film, excerpts from "On Black Power" by ] leader ], and from "Address to the Women of America" by feminist-writer ] were added to the song. Gloria Steinem can be heard saying: "This is no simple reform... It really is a revolution. Sex and race, because they are easy and visible differences, have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labour on which this system still depends." The final song was "Out of Sight" by ]. | |||
The film was also successful in terms of merchandise sales, with hundreds of thousands of ]s from the film having been sold every year since the film's release, as of 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Story and Symbol: V for Vendetta and OWS |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-fantasy-becomes-reality/201111/story-and-symbol-v-vendetta-and-ows |work=] |date=4 November 2011 |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822064306/https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/how-fantasy-becomes-reality/201111/story-and-symbol-v-vendetta-and-ows |url-status=live }}</ref> ] owns the rights to the image and is paid a fee with the sale of each official mask.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/29/how-time-warner-profits-from-the-anonymous-hackers/|title=How Time Warner Profits from the 'Anonymous' Hackers|last=Carbone|first=Nick|date=29 August 2011|work=]|access-date=30 August 2011|archive-date=24 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224201558/http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/29/how-time-warner-profits-from-the-anonymous-hackers/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nickbilton">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/technology/masked-anonymous-protesters-aid-time-warners-profits.html|title=Masked Protesters Aid Time Warner's Bottom Line|last=Bilton|first=Nick|date=28 August 2011|work=]|access-date=20 July 2012|archive-date=7 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507000148/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/technology/masked-anonymous-protesters-aid-time-warners-profits.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Also in the film were segments from two of ]'s classic ] songs, "]" and "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars". These songs were played during the "breakfast scenes" with V and Deitrich and were one of the ways used to tie the two characters together. ] also plays an important role in the film, with the first four notes of the song signifying the letter "V" in Morse code. Gordon Deitrich's ]-styled comedy sketch of Chancellor Sutler includes the "]" theme. Amusingly, Inspector Finch's alarm clock begins the evening of 4 November with the song "Long Black Train" by ], which contains the ] lyrics "Ride the long black train... take me home black train." | |||
== |
===Critical response=== | ||
On ] ], the film holds a 73% approval rating based on 258 reviews, with an average rating of 6.80/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Visually stunning and thought-provoking, ''V For Vendetta''{{'s}} political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_for_vendetta|title=V for Vendetta (2006)|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=1 December 2022|archive-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830153643/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_for_vendetta|url-status=live}}</ref> ], which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100 based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/v-for-vendetta|title=V for Vendetta (2006)|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=1 June 2019|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713113126/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/v-for-vendetta|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title='SpongeBob' Counts $55.4M Treasure; 'Jupiter' Down, 'Son' Up In Monday B.O. Actuals |url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/spongebob-squarepants-box-office-jupiter-ascending-seventh-son-1201366190/ |website=] |access-date=3 May 2022 |date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503171633/https://deadline.com/2015/02/spongebob-squarepants-box-office-jupiter-ascending-seventh-son-1201366190/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] gave the film a "two thumbs up" rating. ] stated that ''V for Vendetta'' "almost always has something going on that is actually interesting, inviting us to decode the character and plot and apply the message where we will".<ref name="Ebert" /> ] and ] from ] stated that despite the problem of never seeing Weaving's face, there was good acting and an interesting plot, adding that the film is also disturbing, with scenes reminiscent of Nazi Germany.<ref name="at the movies">{{cite web | work=atthemovies.com | title=V for Vendetta | url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1601485.htm | access-date=23 April 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418203437/http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1601485.htm | archive-date=18 April 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
The film ''V for Vendetta'' can be viewed in the tradition of other cautionary dystopian stories such as '']'' and '']'' with the addition of some ''Matrix''-style action elements.<ref name="Znet">{{cite web | work=Znet.com | title=A Political Parable With Swordfights | author=Dave Saldana | url=http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=9964 | accessdate= 9 May | accessyear=2006}}</ref> The story retains some anarchist themes from the original story, using them as a means of examining terrorism and state control in a modern context. ''V for Vendetta'' sets the ] as V’s historical inspiration, contributing to his choice of timing, language and appearance. (For example, V adopts the identity of a dead man called Rookwood, named for ]; colleagues of this "Rookwood" mentioned in the film are called Percy and Keyes, also the names of Gunpowder Plotters). Revenge is a central motivation for V, the film stressing explicit thematic connections to '']''. The film also incorporates the idea of V as the embodiment of an idea rather than an individual, minimizing V's past, and giving the viewer no glimpse of a humanizing face. | |||
] from the BBC blasted the film, calling it a "woeful, depressing failure" and stating that the "cast of notable and familiar talents such as John Hurt and Stephen Rea stand little chance amid the wreckage of the Wachowski siblings' dismal script and its particularly poor dialogue."<ref name="jonathan">{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/14/film_2006_v_2006_article.shtml |title=Jonathan on ... V for Vendetta |publisher=BBC News |access-date=23 April 2006 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725004246/https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/14/film_2006_v_2006_article.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Sean Burns of '']'' gave the film a 'D', criticising the film's treatment of its political message as being "fairly dim, adolescent stuff,"<ref name = "seanburns"/> as well as expressing dislike for the "barely decorated sets with television-standard overlit shadow-free cinematography by the late Adrian Biddle. The film is a visual insult."<ref name = "seanburns"/> On Alan Moore removing his name from the project, Burns says "it's not hard to see why,"<ref name = "seanburns"/> as well as criticising Portman's performance: "Portman still seems to believe that standing around with your mouth hanging open constitutes a performance."<ref name="seanburns">{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/capsules-38412904.html|title=V for Vendetta|last=Burns|first=Sean|date=15 March 2006|work=Philadelphia Weekly|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130526030745/http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/screen/capsules-38412904.html|archive-date=26 May 2013|access-date=28 July 2007}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
As a film about the struggle between freedom and the state, ''V for Vendetta'' takes imagery from many classic totalitarian icons both real and fictional, including ], Communist Russia, ]'s ''Nineteen Eighty-Four'', the ] and popular conspiracy theories relating to the ] and the ].<ref name="v for vendetta interviews"/> The leader Adam Sutler (whose name was changed from "Susan" to resemble more closely ])<ref name="v for vendetta interviews"/> primarily appears on large video screens and on portraits in people's homes, reminiscent of ]; the state's ] of its citizens further recalls Orwell's vision. Valerie was sent to a detention facility for being a lesbian and then had medical experiments performed on her, similar to ].<ref name="sfgate">{{cite web | work=sfgate.com | title=In 'Vendetta,' disastrous U.S. and British policymaking gives rise to terrorism — what a shocker | url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/03/16/DDGG9HO5VT1.DTL&type=movies | accessdate=3 May | accessyear=2006}}</ref> The Aryan-sounding Norsefire regime uses red and black as their party colours, similar to the Nazi party, replacing ] with the ] as national symbol. This symbol was used by ] during World War II, as it was a traditional symbol of French patriotism that could be used to answer the ]. The media is portrayed as highly subservient to government propaganda; a montage of news stories ordered by Sutler references the ], including war (a "second ]" in America), ] (domestic ]s), ] (]) and death (a ] outbreak). | |||
<div style="clear: both"></div> | |||
Harry Guerin from the Irish TV network ] states the film "works as a political thriller, adventure and social commentary and it deserves to be seen by audiences who would otherwise avoid any/all of the three". He added that the film will become "a cult favourite whose reputation will only be enhanced with age."<ref name="rte">{{cite news |last=Guerin |first=Harry |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2006/0315/vforvendetta.html |title=V for Vendetta |work=rte.ie |access-date=23 April 2006 |date=15 March 2006 |archive-date=20 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620090200/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2006/0315/vforvendetta.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Andy Jacobs for the BBC gave the film two stars out of five, remarking that it is "a bit of a mess ... it rarely thrills or engages as a story."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/08/v_for_vendetta_2006_review.shtml|title=BBC Films: V For Vendetta|last=Jacobs|first=Andy|date=17 March 2006|access-date=15 January 2011|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> | |||
=== Modern fears of totalitarianism === | |||
{{quotation | We felt the novel was very prescient to how the political climate is at the moment. It really showed what can happen when society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people. I don't think it’s such a big leap to say that things like that can happen when leaders stop listening to the people. | Director James McTeigue<ref name="official production"/>}} | |||
With the intention of making the story relevant to today’s audience, the filmmakers referenced many modern themes. The film contains numerous references to events surrounding the current ]: the ] montage of news stories references ], the colour-coded curfew alert<ref name="Christianity Today">{{cite web | url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2006/vforvendetta.html | title=V for Vendetta | work=Christianitytoday.com | accessdate=29 April | accessyear=2006 }}</ref><ref name="Monerey County Herald">{{cite web | | first=David | last=Germain | url=http://www.sunherald.com/mld/montereyherald/entertainment/movies/14112078.htm?source=rss&channel=montereyherald_movies | title='V' for Victory | publisher=Monterey County Herald | accessdate=10 April | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> is reminiscent of the ] system, and the "black bags" worn by prisoners at Larkhill recall the ] worn by prisoners at ] in Iraq.<ref name="The Age">{{cite web | url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/03/16/1142098594274.html | title=Gunpowder, treason and plot | work=The Age | publisher=Fairfax Digital | accessdate=19 March | accessyear=2006 }}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web | last=Owen | first=Gleiberman | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/17/ew.mov.vendetta/ | title=EW review: 'V for Vendetta,' O for OK | accessdate=19 March | accessyear=2006 }}</ref><ref name="The New Yorker">{{cite web | url=http://www.newyorker.com/critics/cinema/articles/060320crci_cinema | title=BLOWUP: V for Vendetta | author=David Denby | publisher=Conde Nast | work=The New Yorker | accessdate=13 March | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> There is also use of the term ] in the film, in reference to the regime's removal of undesirables from society.<ref name="The New Yorker"/> A ] contains real-life footage of an anti-Iraq war demonstration, with mention of President ]. The film also references "America's war" and "the war America started" as well as real footage from the ]. | |||
''V'' was included on ''Fandomania''{{'s}} list of ''The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fandomania.com/100-greatest-fictional-characters-100-96/ |title=The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters |publisher=Fandomania.com |access-date=22 May 2010 |date=21 September 2009 |archive-date=13 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813093837/http://fandomania.com/100-greatest-fictional-characters-100-96/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' magazine named the film the 418th greatest movie of all time in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/500-greatest-movies/|title=Empire's the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time|website=]|access-date=20 February 2013|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822120854/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/500-greatest-movies/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
There is pervasive use of ] and ] and analysis by the regime. One of the forbidden items in Gordon's secret basement is a protest poster with a mixed U.S.–UK flag with ], entitled "Coalition of the Willing, To Power." This may reference the real-life Iraq War's "]". (At the same time, it may reference ]'s concept of ]<ref name="Chen">{{cite web | url=http://www.peterjohnchen.com/examining_v_for_vendetta_film_graphic_novel_and_interpretation | title=Examining V for Vendetta: Film, Graphic Novel, and Interpretation | work=peterjohnchen.com | accessdate=28 May | accessyear=2006 }}</ref>). | |||
===Accolades=== | |||
The film's fictional fascist government deliberately used a biological agent against its own people to attain power, paralleling the ]. This theme also seems to allude to contemporary ]. | |||
{{Main|List of accolades received by V for Vendetta (film)}} | |||
''V for Vendetta'' received a few awards, although at the 2007 ] Natalie Portman won the ] award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/awards/superman-tops-saturns-1117964717/|title='Superman' tops Saturns|author=David S. Cohen|date=10 May 2007|work=Variety|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812025406/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117964717.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref> The film was nominated for the ] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/awards |title=''V for Vendetta'': Award Wins and Nominations |publisher=] |year=2006 |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725004356/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Political response=== | |||
Lewis Prothero's combat record seems to be an allusion to the war in Iraq.<ref name="csmoniter">{{cite web | last=Rainer | first=Peter | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0317/p11s03-almo.html | title=V for verbose vigilante | work=Christian Science Monitor | publisher=First Church of Christ | accessdate=17 March | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> As host of “The Voice of London”, Prothero evokes the image of conservative American ] like ] and ], his drug use reminiscent of Limbaugh's. His rhetoric about God, gays, and Muslims seems to caricature right-wing religious commentators like ],<ref name="Christianity Today"/> his belief that the U.S. has collapsed due to "Godlessness" recalling neo-conservative ]'s comment on "the heresy of democracy". | |||
''V for Vendetta'' deals with issues of ], ], ] and ]. Its controversial story line and themes have been the target of both criticism and praise from ] groups. | |||
On 17 April 2006, the New York Metro Alliance of Anarchists organised a protest against ] and ], accusing it of watering down the story's original message in favour of violence and special effects.<ref name="Columbia">{{Cite news|last= Launder |first= William |url= http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2006-05-02/launder-anarchistfight |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080313183358/http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2006-05-02/launder-anarchistfight |archive-date=13 March 2008 |title= "V" stands for very bad anarchist movie|publisher=Columbia News Service |date=2 May 2006 |access-date=5 January 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last= Inducer |first= Smile |url= http://nymaa.org/node/243 |title= V for Vendetta? A for Anarchy! | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314222138/http://nymaa.org/node/243|archive-date=14 March 2007|publisher=NYMAA |date=28 September 2006 |access-date=5 January 2007}}</ref> ], an anarchist scholar and former professor at ], was not upset by the film. "I thought the message of anarchy got out in spite of Hollywood." However, Graeber went on to state: "Anarchy is about creating communities and democratic decision making. That's what is absent from Hollywood's interpretation."<ref name="Columbia"/> | |||
Despite the specific references, the filmmakers have always referred to the film as contributing to a dialogue much broader than merely criticism of the U.S. administration.<ref name="v for vendetta interviews"/> When James McTeigue was asked whether or not BTN was based on ], McTeigue replied, "Yes. But not just ]. Everyone is complicit in this kind of stuff. It could just as well been the British ] Channel."<ref name="Monerey County Herald"/> | |||
Film critic ] dismissed Christian criticism of the film on the television show ''Ebert and Roeper'', saying that V's "terrorist" label is applied in the film "by someone who's essentially Hitler, a dictator."<ref name="ROTTEN &">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=303317|title=Rotten Tomatoes: Ebert & Roeper: "V for Vendetta" Dark, Thoughtful, And That's Good|date=13 March 2006|website=Rotten Tomatoes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622110459/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=303317|archive-date=22 June 2008|access-date=13 May 2007}}</ref> | |||
===The letter V and the number 5=== | |||
{{quotation | Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V. | V's introduction to Evey}} | |||
] commentators have praised the film for its positive depiction of gay people. ] of '']'' called the film "one of the most pro-gay ever". Warn went on to praise the central role of the character Valerie "not just because it is beautifully acted and well written, but because it is so utterly unexpected ."<ref name="afterellen">{{cite web|last1=Warn |first1=Sarah |website=] |title=V for Vendetta: A Brave, Bold Film for Gays and Lesbians |url=http://www.afterellen.com/Movies/2006/3/vendetta.html |date=20 March 2006 |access-date=6 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821205452/http://www.afterellen.com/movies/2006/3/vendetta.html |archive-date=21 August 2010}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
The letter “]” is repeatedly referenced throughout the film, as both letter and number<ref>http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/whov.html</ref>. | |||
* V is held in Larkhill cell number “V”.<ref name="shadowgalaxy">{{cite web | work=shadowgalaxy.net | title=The Shadow Galaxy who is V | url=http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/whov.html | accessdate=4 November | accessyear=2006}}</ref> V's obsession with ''V'' and ''5'' may have its roots here. | |||
* V’s introductory monologue to Evey (above) begins and ends with “V”, has five sentences, and contains 49 words that begin with “V”. | |||
* His favorite phrase is “By the power of truth, I, a living man, have conquered the universe”, which is a translation of the 5 "V"ed ] phrase: “].” | |||
* In a dance with Evey, the song V chooses is number five on his jukebox. | |||
* When V confronts Creedy in his home, he plays '']'s ]'', whose opening notes have a rhythmic pattern resembling the letter “V” in ] ('''···–'''). The Symphony’s opening was used as a call-sign in ] broadcasts during ] in reference to ]’s “]”. (The film’s title itself is also a reference to “V for Victory”.) | |||
* In the battle with Creedy and his men at ], V forms a “V” with his daggers just before he throws them. | |||
* After the battle, when V is mortally wounded, he leaves a “V” signature in his own blood. | |||
* The destruction of Parliament results in a display of fireworks which form the letter “V”, which is also an inverted ] for anarchy.<ref name="lewrockwell">{{cite web | work=lewrockwell.com | title= A for Anarchy, E for Execution | url=http://www.lewrockwell.com/chu/chu14.html | accessdate=4 November | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
* Like the Old Bailey and Larkhill, Parliament was destroyed on the ''fifth'' of November. | |||
* When Evey first tells V her name, he remarks that it is ironic, since her name (pronounced "eevee") is "vee" said backwards and forwards put together. | |||
] of the ] criticised V's actions as "antidemocratic," calling the film an example of "the bankruptcy of ] ideology;" Walsh writes that because the people have not played any part in the revolution, they will be unable to produce a "new, liberated society."<ref name="socialist criticism">{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=David |url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/mar2006/vend-m27.shtml |title=Confused, not thought through: V for Vendetta |publisher=World Socialist Website |date=27 March 2006 |access-date=4 January 2007 |archive-date=20 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520075756/http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/03/vend-m27.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
{{endspoilers}} | |||
The film was broadcast on China's national TV station, ] (CCTV) on 16 December 2012 completely uncensored,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patranobis |first=Sutirtho |url=https://news.yahoo.com/china-shocked-v-vendetta-aired-national-tv-183000484.html |title=China shocked after 'v for vendetta' aired on national tv |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=16 December 2012 |access-date=16 December 2012 |archive-date=12 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112043111/http://news.yahoo.com/china-shocked-v-vendetta-aired-national-tv-183000484.html |url-status=live }}</ref> surprising many viewers. While many believed that the government had banned the film, the ] stated that it was not aware of a ban; CCTV makes its own decisions on whether to censor foreign films. Liu Shanying, a political scientist at the ] who used to work for CCTV, speculated that the showing indicated that ] is getting loosened.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/v-for-vendetta-china-tv_n_2335144.html|title='V For Vendetta' Airs In China, Stunning TV Viewers|last=Watt|first=Louise|date=20 December 2012|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212514/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/v-for-vendetta-china-tv_n_2335144.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=20 December 2012}}</ref> | |||
== Critical reaction and box office == | |||
==See also== | |||
As of ], ''V for Vendetta'' has grossed (]) $70,511,035 in the United States and $60,900,000 internationally, for a worldwide gross of $131,411,035. The film led the United States box office on its opening day, taking in an estimated $8,742,504 and remained the number one film for the remainder of the weekend, taking in an estimated total of $25,642,340. Its closest rival, '']'', took in $15,604,892.<ref name="boxofficemojo"/> The film debuted at number one in the ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="bostonherald">{{cite web | publisher=Boston Herald | title=‘V’ for (international) victory | url=http://theedge.bostonherald.com/movieNews/view.bg?articleid=131388 | accessdate=22 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Despite the film taking place in the UK, the film did not reach number one at the UK box office on opening weekend; instead, '']'' took the number one spot. ''V for Vendetta'' also opened in 56 ] theaters in North America, grossing $1.36 million during the opening three days.<ref name="imax">{{cite web | work=vfxworld.com | title=V for Vendetta Posts Strong IMAX Opening | url=http://www.vfxworld.com/?sa=adv&code=3631a5a1&atype=news&id=16457 | accessdate=22 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* '']'' | |||
* ] | |||
==Notes== | |||
The critical reception of the film was mostly positive with the film review collection website '']'' giving it a 75% Fresh approval.<ref name="rt">{{cite web | work=rottentomatoes.com | title=V for Vendetta (2006) | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/v_for_vendetta/ | accessdate=6 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> ] gave the film two thumbs up with ] stating that ''V for Vendetta'' "almost always has something going on that is actually interesting, inviting us to decode the character and plot and apply the message where we will."<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web | last=Ebert | first=Roger | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060316/REVIEWS/60308005/1023 | title=V for Vendetta | work=rogerebert.suntimes.com | accessdate=16 March | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> ] and ] from '']'' state that despite the problem of never seeing Hugo Weaving's face, there was good acting and an interesting plot, adding that the film is also disturbing, with scenes reminiscent of Nazi Germany.<ref name="at the movies">{{cite web | work=abc.net.au/atthemovies | title=V for Vendetta | url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1601485.htm | accessdate=23 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Harry Guerin from ] stated that the film "works as a political thriller, adventure and social commentary and it deserves to be seen by audiences who would otherwise avoid any/all of the three", adding that the film will become "a cult favourite whose reputation will only be enhanced with age".<ref name="rte">{{cite web | last=Guerin | first=Harry | url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0315/vforvendetta.html | title=V For Vendetta | work=rte.ie | accessdate=23 April | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> However, the BBC's ], a keen fan of the graphic novel, blasted the film, calling it a "woeful, depressing failure" and stating that the "cast of notable and familiar talents such as John Hurt and Stephen Rea stand little chance amid the wreckage of the Wachowski siblings' dismal script and its particularly poor dialogue",<ref name="jonathan">{{cite web | last=Ross | first=Jonathon | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/03/14/film_2006_v_2006_article.shtml | title=Jonathan on... V For Vendetta | work=BBC | accessdate=23 April | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> and David Denby of the ''New Yorker'' described it as "a dunderheaded pop fantasia".<ref name="david">{{cite web | last=Benby | first=David | url=http://www.newyorker.com/critics/cinema/articles/060320crci_cinema | title=Blowup | accessdate=07 August | accessyear=2006 }}</ref> | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
As of ], ], ''V for Vendetta'' was listed in the top 250 films as voted on by ] users, occupying the 123rd position.<ref name="top 250">{{cite web | title=Top 250 films ever made | work=IMDB.com | url=http://www.imdb.com/chart/top | accessdate=28 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
== Comments from political sources == | |||
''V for Vendetta'' deals with issues of ], ], ], ], and ]. Its controversial story line and themes have, inevitably, made it the target of both criticism and praise from different ] groups. | |||
An ] group in ] has used the film's release to gain publicity for anarchism as a political philosophy. However, the group felt that the film waters down the anarchist message from the original story in order to satisfy mass Hollywood audiences, and instead focuses on destruction without proposing any alternatives.<ref name="aforanarchy review">{{cite web | work=aforanarchy.com | title=A for Anarchy deleted scenes | url=http://homepage.mac.com/anon.csc/aforanarchy/deletedscenes.html | accessdate=8 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
Despite the lack of acceptance by some anarchists, the film has brought renewed interest to Alan Moore's original story, as sales of the original graphic novel rose dramatically in the United States, placing the book firmly in the top sales at ] and ].<ref name="Televisionpoint">{{cite web | work=televisionpoint.com | title=V for Vendetta Graphic Novel is a US Bestseller | url=http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2006/newsfullstory.php?id=1143785410 | accessdate=2 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
Many ]s, especially at the ]'s ] see the film as a positive depiction in favour of a free society with limited government and free enterprise, citing the ] as being of greater evil and rationalized by its political machinery, while V's acts are seen as 'terroristic' because they are done by a single individual.<ref name="LewRockwell">{{cite web | work=lewrockwell.com | title=V for Vendetta | author=Butler Shaffer | url=http://www.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer132.html | accessdate=20 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> ], the libertarian editor of ], praised the film for its sociopolitical ] and saw the film’s success as "helping to fight the cultural rot that the ] feeds on". | |||
In the United States, several ] groups were critical of the film's negative portrayal of a ] and sympathetic portrayal of ] and ]. ], chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, called ''V for Vendetta'' "a vile, pro-terrorist piece of neo-Marxist, left-wing propaganda filled with radical sexual politics and nasty attacks on religion and Christianity".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49317 | title=Time Warner promotes terrorism and anti-Christian bigotry in new leftist movie, 'V for Vendetta' | publisher=WorldNetDaily | accessdate=4 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Don Feder, a conservative columnist from ] has called ''V for Vendetta'' "the most explicitly ] movie to date."<ref name ="frontpagemag2">{{cite web | work=frontpagemag | title=The Media's War on the "War on Christians" Conference | url=http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=21871 | accessdate = 6 April | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Meanwhile, ] commentators have praised the film for its positive depiction of gays, with writer Michael Jensen calling the film "one of the most ] ever".<ref name ="afterellen" /> | |||
Dave Saldana from the left-wing media group ] says that the regime's treachery could have “come from today's newspaper secret tribunals, secret prisons, political scapegoats 'disappeared' and tortured, a too-cozy relationship between Big Business and government, TV blowhards and corrupt religious leaders helping the government do its dirty work, and a ruthless political henchman pulling the strings.”<ref name="Znet"/> However, ] from the ] criticizes V's actions as "antidemocratic" and cites the film as an example of "the bankruptcy of anarcho-terrorist ideology" stating that because the people have not played any part in the revolution, they will be unable to produce a "new, liberated society."<ref name="socialist criticism">{{cite web | work=world socialist website | title=Confused, not thought through: V for Vendetta | url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/mar2006/vend-m27.shtml | accessdate=27 March | accessyear=2006}}</ref> | |||
==Differences between the film and graphic novel== | |||
:''For more information: ].'' | |||
] | |||
The film's story was adapted from an Alan Moore comic originally published between 1982 and 1985 in the British comic anthology '']''. These comics were later compiled into a graphic novel and published again in the United States under DC's ] imprint and in the United Kingdom under ]. | |||
Even though the film is based on the graphic novel, there are several key differences between the two that make them fundamentally different from one another. For example, Alan Moore's original story was created as a response to British ] in the early 80's and was set as a conflict between a fascist state and anarchism, whereas the film's story has been changed by the Wachowskis to fit a modern political context. Alan Moore charges that in doing so, the story has turned into an American-centric conflict between ] and ], and abandons the original anarchist-fascist themes. Furthermore, in the original story, Moore attempted to maintain moral ambiguity, and not to portray the fascists as caricatures, but as realistic, rounded characters <ref name="mooreinterview"/>. The time limitations of a film meant that the story had to omit or streamline some of the characters, details and plotlines from the original story.<ref name="official production"/> | |||
{{spoilers}} | |||
While V is characterized as a romantic freedom fighter in the film, he is portrayed as an anarchist with questionable tendencies in the graphic novel. | |||
He neither ] for Evey, nor is he concerned about the loss of innocent life and is instead portrayed as something bizarre. | |||
Evey Hammond undergoes a more drastic change in the novel than she does in the film. At the beginning of the film, she is already a confident woman with a hint of rebellion in her, whereas in the graphic novel she starts off as an insecure, desperate young prostitute. By the end of the graphic novel, not only does she carry out V’s plans as she does in the film, but she also clearly takes on V’s identity. | |||
While the film portrays the Chancellor as a power hungry totalitarian figure, the graphic novel paints him as a sympathetic and troubled character. | |||
The setting in Moore’s original story is much darker than the relatively secure setting of the film. In the graphic novel, a global nuclear war has destroyed ] and Africa, but has spared Britain. However, Britain stands isolated, and with a ] causing famine and massive flooding, there is a real fear that a collapse of the government would lead to disaster. (This makes V’s efforts to destroy the regime even more questionable.) | |||
Norsefire in the film is largely based on present day fears of an ultra-conservative police state, whereas Norsefire in the original story is based on a fascist regime closer to that of the Nazis. In both stories Norsefire actively participates in the systematic elimination of racial minorities, homosexuals, and political dissidents from society. But whereas the ultra-conservative regime of tomorrow also targets Muslims, the fascist regime of yesterday is explicitly focused on the protection of ]. Despite playing down racial elements of the regime, the film retains the ] superhero ]. | |||
Several characters were completely omitted from the film, including Ms. Almond and Mr. and Mrs. Heyer. | |||
Also, the computer system "Fate" is completely missing from the film. (In the original story, Fate was a Big-Brother-like computer which served as Norsefire's eyes and ears and also helped explain how V could see and hear the things he did.) | |||
V's terrorist targets are different in the graphic novel, as he destroys Parliament and the Old Bailey in the beginning, and destroys 10 Downing Street for the finale. | |||
Finally, whereas the film ends in a relatively peaceful overthrow, in the graphic novel there is a violent collapse of authority. | |||
== DVD release == | |||
''V For Vendetta'' was released in the USA on DVD on ], ] in three formats: a single-disc wide-screen version, a single-disc full-screen version, and a two-disc wide-screen special edition. The single disc versions contain only a short behind-the-scenes ], where-as the two-disc special edition contains three additional featurettes and a few extra features for collectors. On the second disc of the special edition, a short ] clip of Natalie Portman on Saturday Night Live can be viewed by selecting the picture of wings on the second page of the menu. | |||
], ] and ] each offered exclusive collectibles with their two-disc special edition copies of ''V For Vendetta''. Best Buy offered an all-out collector's set, which contained four limited-edition art prints, a half scale (1:2) replica of V's mask, and a display box. Circuit City and Target both offered a limited-edition slip sleeve with a ] cover and a 64-page excerpt of the ]. In the ], the two disc edition is only available at high street retailer ],<ref name=HMV>{{cite web | |||
| title = Special 2 Disc Exclusive | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| date = 2006 | |||
| url = http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=565083&locale=uk | |||
| accessdate = 2006-11-05 }}</ref> with also a slipcase edition available complete with a mini-graphic novel featuring the first nine chapters of the original graphic novel. ] retailer EzyDVD offers the two-disc wide-screen special edition in its own tin collectors case. | |||
== References == | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
==Further reading== | |||
==External links==<!-- These links should be about the film. Please do not add links concerning the comic/graphic novel here. --> | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Amazon |first1=Nancy |title=v for vendetta |url=https://www.kissingfingertips.com/home/2017/3/21/v-for-vendetta |website=Kissing Fingertips |date=21 March 2017}} | |||
{{wikiquote}} | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Asher-Perrin |first1=Emmet |title=Apologize to No One — V for Vendetta is More Important Today Than it Ever Was |url=https://www.tor.com/2016/06/14/apologize-to-no-one-v-for-vendetta-is-more-important-today-than-it-ever-was/ |website=] |date=14 June 2016}} | |||
* {{cite web |last1=Clough |first1=Rob |title=The Untold Truth of V for Vendetta |url=https://www.looper.com/633531/the-untold-truth-of-v-for-vendetta/ |website=] |date=14 October 2021}} | |||
* at Warner Brothers | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Crow |first1=David |title=The Creeping Reality of V for Vendetta |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/books/v-for-vendetta-future/ |website=] |date=5 November 2019}} | |||
* | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Patel |first1=Varun |title=V for Vendetta Ending, Explained |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/v-for-vendetta-ending-explained/ |website=The Cinemaholic |date=30 May 2020}} | |||
* {{imdb title | id=0434409 | title=V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Riedel |first1=Samantha |title=How V for Vendetta Predicted America's Descent Into Fascism |url=https://www.them.us/story/v-for-vendetta-fascism-america |website=] |date=9 November 2018}} | |||
* {{amg movie | id=1:319427 | title=V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Rudoy |first1=Matthew |title=V For Vendetta: 10 Most Memorable Quotes |url=https://www.cbr.com/v-for-vendetta-best-quotes/ |website=] |date=4 July 2020}} | |||
* {{rotten-tomatoes | id=v_for_vendetta | title=V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{cite web|last1=Barry |first1=Barry |title=V For Vendetta: Movie vs Graphic Novel |url=https://www.thisisbarry.com/film/v-for-vendetta-2006-movie-vs-graphic-novel-explained/ |website=This Is Barry |date=20 June 2020}} | |||
* at rogerebert.com | |||
* {{cite magazine|last1=Wickman |first1=Forrest |title=Is the Guy Fawkes Mask a Metaphor for the Closet? |url=https://slate.com/culture/2011/12/the-guy-fawkes-mask-in-v-for-vendetta-a-metaphor-for-the-closet.html |magazine=] |date=9 December 2011}} | |||
* at imsb.com | |||
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Billias |editor1-first=Nancy |title=Promoting and Producing Evil |date=2011 |chapter=Sympathy for the Devil: The Hero is a Terrorist in V for Vendetta (Margarita Carretero-González) |pages=199–210 |publisher=] |doi=10.1163/9789042029408_012 |url=https://doi.org/10.1163/9789042029408_012 |isbn=978-9042029392 }} | |||
<!-- Split film/book article intentional - Please do not remove this comment --> | |||
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Evans |editor1-first=Jonathan C. |editor2-last=Giddens |editor2-first=Thomas |title=Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel |date=2013 |chapter=V for Valerie: Lesbianism in V for Vendetta (Derek Frasure) |pages=161–172 |publisher=Inter-Disciplinary Press |doi=10.1163/9781848881990_017 |url=https://doi.org/10.1163/9781848881990_017 |isbn=978-1848881990 }} | |||
* {{Cite book|editor-last1=Foy |editor-first1=Joseph J. |title=Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture |year=2008 |chapter=R for Revolution: Hobbes and Locke on Social Contracts and Scarlet Carsons (Dean A. Kowalski) |pages=19–40 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0813125121}} | |||
* {{Cite book|editor1-last=Lamm |editor1-first=Spencer |title=V for Vendetta: from Script to Film |date=2006 |publisher=] |url=https://archive.org/details/vforvendettafrom0000wach |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0789315205}} | |||
==External links== | |||
<!-- These links should be about the film. Please do not add links concerning the graphic novel here. --> | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
* at Warner Bros. | |||
* {{IMDb title|0434409|V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{TCMDb title|624668|V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{AFI film|64094|V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{mojo title|vforvendetta|V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|v_for_vendetta|V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{Metacritic film|title=V for Vendetta}} | |||
* {{imsdb|id=V-for-Vendetta.html|title=V for Vendetta}} | |||
{{V for Vendetta}} | {{V for Vendetta}} | ||
{{DC Comics films}} | |||
{{featured article}} | |||
{{James McTeigue}} | |||
{{The Wachowskis}} | |||
{{Portal bar|2000s|Film|London|Speculative fiction}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 13:52, 22 December 2024
2005 film by James McTeigue
V for Vendetta | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | James McTeigue |
Screenplay by | The Wachowskis |
Based on | V for Vendetta by David Lloyd |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Adrian Biddle |
Edited by | Martin Walsh |
Music by | Dario Marianelli |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 133 minutes |
Countries |
|
Language | English |
Budget | $50–54 million |
Box office | $134.7 million |
V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political action film directed by James McTeigue (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by the Wachowskis. It is based on the 1988–89 DC Vertigo Comics limited series of the same title by Alan Moore, David Lloyd, and Tony Weare. The film, set in a future where a fascist totalitarian regime has subjugated the UK, centres on V (portrayed by Hugo Weaving), an anarchist and masked freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts, and on Evey Hammond (portrayed by Natalie Portman), a young woman caught up in V's mission. Stephen Rea portrays a detective leading a desperate quest to stop V.
Produced by Silver Pictures, Virtual Studios and Anarchos Productions, Inc., V for Vendetta was originally scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on 4 November 2005 (a day before the 400th Guy Fawkes Night), but was delayed; it instead opened in the United States on 17 March 2006, to mostly positive reviews from critics and became a box office success, grossing $134 million against a production budget between $50–54 million. Alan Moore, dissatisfied with the film adaptations of his other works, From Hell (2001) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), declined to watch the film and asked to not be credited or paid royalties.
Some political groups have seen V for Vendetta as an allegory of oppression by government; anarchists have used it to promote their beliefs. The film is credited for popularizing the use of the Guy Fawkes mask by anti-establishment political groups and activities; David Lloyd stated: "The Guy Fawkes mask has now become a common brand and a convenient placard to use in protest against tyranny—and I'm happy with people using it, it seems quite unique, an icon of popular culture being used this way."
Plot
In the near future, Britain is ruled by the ultranationalist Norsefire political party, a fascist and totalitarian regime led by High Chancellor Adam Sutler, which controls the populace through propaganda and imprisons or executes those deemed undesirable, including immigrants, homosexuals, and people of alternative religions.
Evey Hammond is the daughter of parents who became activists after her brother perished in the St. Mary's school terrorist attack fourteen years earlier; they were detained and later died in prison when she was 12 years old. One evening, a Guy Fawkes masked vigilante, "V", rescues her from assault by the British secret police, known as The Fingermen, and brings her to witness his destruction of the Old Bailey via bombs. The following morning, on 5 November, V hijacks the state-run television network BTN to address the nation, claiming credit for the attack and encouraging the populace to resist Norsefire by joining him outside the Houses of Parliament on Guy Fawkes Night in one year's time. Evey is knocked unconscious while aiding V's escape, and he takes her with him to avoid her arrest and likely execution.
V kills Norsefire chief propagandist Lewis Prothero, coroner Dr. Delia Surridge, and, with Evey's assistance, Anthony Lilliman, the Bishop of London, pedophile and corrupt priest from Larkhill, whom V gets to by using Evey. Evey flees after betraying V, hoping to be forgiven by Norsefire. Assigned to capture V, Chief Inspector Eric Finch uses Surridge's journal and information from former covert operative William Rookwood (V in disguise), discovering that, two decades earlier, Surridge led biological weapons research and human experimentation at the Larkhill Detention Facility on behalf of then-Undersecretary of Defense Adam Sutler, creating the "St Mary's Virus". Although dozens of political prisoners died during experimentation, an amnesiac in cell "V" developed mutated immunities and disfigurements as well as physical enhancements and eventually destroyed Larkhill during his escape. Peter Creedy, head of the secret police, faked a terrorist attack by releasing the virus at targets including St. Mary's and used the resulting public fear to embed Norsefire in power. Simultaneously, the company manufacturing the cure enriched leading party members such as Prothero and Lilliman.
Evey takes shelter with her former boss, talkshow host Gordon Dietrich, who shows her his collection of illegal materials such as subversive paintings, an antique Quran, and homoerotic photographs. Emboldened by Evey and V, he satirizes Sutler on his show, leading to his and Evey's arrest and his eventual execution. She takes solace in a note hidden in her cell written by Valerie Page, a woman imprisoned in the cell next to V's, detailing her hopes despite her impending death. Tortured and facing her own execution, Evey refuses to submit to her captors and is released, finding herself in V's lair. V had intercepted Evey before Creedy's men and subjected her to false imprisonment (and gaslighting) so she could learn to live without fear. Although initially angry at V, Evey realizes that he has been avenging Valerie and the other Larkhill victims and promises to return to see him before 5 November. To kill the otherwise unreachable High Chancellor, V convinces Creedy to betray Sutler and replace him in exchange for V's surrender.
As 5 November approaches, V has hundreds of thousands of Guy Fawkes masks distributed across the nation, leading to a rise in masked, anonymous chaos and eventually riots after the secret police kill a young masked girl. V shares a dance with Evey before leading her to the shuttered London underground he restored over the previous decade. Not intending to survive the night, V bequeaths the decision to start the explosive-filled train to Evey. Although she pleads that he abandon his crusade and leave with her, he refuses. Creedy meets V and executes Sutler before demanding V unmask. Despite being shot and heavily injured, V kills Creedy and his men, stating that the idea he represents is more important than his identity. V returns to Evey, dying in her arms after admitting he loves her, and Finch finds her placing V's body aboard the train but, having become disillusioned with Norsefire, allows her to start it after she affirms that the people need hope. With Sutler and Creedy dead, the military forces in London stand down as countless citizens dressed as V descend on Parliament and witness its destruction. Finch asks for V's true identity, to which Evey replies, "He was all of us."
Cast
(Left to right) Natalie Portman (pictured in 2015), Hugo Weaving (2018), and Stephen Rea (circa 2010)- Hugo Weaving as V, a masked, charismatic and skilled anarchist terrorist who had been the unwilling subject of experimentation by Norsefire. James Purefoy originally portrayed the character, but left six weeks into filming. He remained uncredited, with Weaving replacing him on set and redubbing Purefoy's scenes.
- Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond, an employee of the state-run British Television Network who is rescued by V from a gang of London's secret police and subsequently becomes involved in his life.
- Stephen Rea as Chief Inspector Eric Finch of New Scotland Yard and Minister of Investigations (the "Nose"), the lead investigator in the V investigation, who uncovers an unspeakable government crime. When asked whether the politics attracted him to the film, Rea replied "Well, I don't think it would be very interesting if it was just comic book stuff. The politics of it are what gives it its dimension and momentum, and of course I was interested in the politics. Why wouldn't I be?"
- Stephen Fry as Gordon Deitrich, a closeted gay talk show host. When asked in an interview what he liked about the role, Fry replied "Being beaten up! I hadn't been beaten up in a movie before and I was very excited by the idea of being clubbed to death."
- John Hurt as Adam Sutler, the former Conservative Member of Parliament and Under-Secretary for Defence. High Chancellor Sutler is the founder of Norsefire and is Britain's authoritarian elected leader. Hurt also portrays two "Fake Sutler" actors lampooning him in an episode of Gordon Deitrich's talk show.
- Tim Pigott-Smith as Peter Creedy, Norsefire's Party leader and the head of Britain's secret police (the "Finger").
- Rupert Graves as Dominic Stone, Chief Inspector Finch's sergeant.
- Roger Allam as Lewis Prothero, the "Voice of London", a propagandist for Norsefire, and formerly the commander of Larkhill Detention Centre.
- Ben Miles as Roger Dascombe, the head of the government's propaganda division (the "Mouth") and chief executive of the British Television Network.
- Sinéad Cusack as Dr. Delia Surridge, the former head physician at the Larkhill Detention Centre, now a coroner.
- Natasha Wightman as Valerie Page, a lesbian imprisoned for her sexuality.
- Imogen Poots as Young Valerie Page
- John Standing as Anthony Lilliman, a corrupt bishop at Westminster Abbey and the former priest at Larkhill Detention Centre.
- Eddie Marsan as Brian Etheridge, the head of the government's audio surveillance division (the "Ear").
- Clive Ashborn as Guy Fawkes, the historical figure involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
- Guy Henry as Conrad Heyer, the head of the government's visual surveillance division (the "Eye").
Themes and interpretations
V for Vendetta sets the Gunpowder Plot as V's historical inspiration, contributing to his choice of timing, language, and appearance. For example, the names Rookwood, Percy and Keyes are used in the film, which are also the names of three of the Gunpowder conspirators. The film creates parallels to Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo, by drawing direct comparisons between V and Edmond Dantès. (In both stories, the hero escapes an unjust and traumatic imprisonment and spends decades preparing to take vengeance on his oppressors under a new persona.) The film is also explicit in portraying V as the embodiment of an idea rather than an individual through V's dialogue and by depicting him without a past, identity or face. According to the official website, "V's use of the Guy Fawkes mask and persona functions as both practical and symbolic elements of the story. He wears the mask to hide his physical scars, and in obscuring his identity – he becomes the idea itself."
As noted by several critics and commentators, the film's story and style mirror elements from Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera. V and the Phantom both wear masks to hide their disfigurements, control others through the leverage of their imaginations, have tragic pasts, and are motivated by revenge. V and Evey's relationship also parallels many of the romantic elements of The Phantom of the Opera, where the masked Phantom takes Christine Daaé to his subterranean lair to re-educate her.
As a film about the struggle between freedom and the state, V for Vendetta takes imagery from many classic totalitarian icons both real and fictional, including the Third Reich and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. For example, Adam Sutler primarily appears on large video screens and on portraits in people's homes, both common features among modern totalitarian regimes and reminiscent of the image of Big Brother. There is also the state's use of mass surveillance, such as closed-circuit television, on its citizens – reminiscent of the comprehensive mass surveillance systems currently deployed in many nations, such as China or the United Kingdom. The name Adam Sutler is intentionally similar to Adolf Hitler. Both are given to hysterical speech; Sutler is also a racial purist, although Jews have been replaced by Asians and Muslims as the focus of Norsefire ethnoreligious propaganda and persecution. Valerie was sent to a detention facility for her lesbianism and then had medical experiments performed on her, reminiscent of the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany and the Holocaust.
—James McTeigue, directorWe felt the novel was very prescient to how the political climate is at the moment. It really showed what can happen when society is ruled by government, rather than the government being run as a voice of the people. I don't think it's such a big leap to say that things like that can happen when leaders stop listening to the people.
The filmmakers added topical references relevant to a 2006 audience. According to the Los Angeles Times, "With a wealth of new, real life parallels to draw from in the areas of government surveillance, torture, fear mongering and media manipulation, not to mention corporate corruption and religious hypocrisy, you can't really blame the filmmakers for having a field day referencing current events." There are also references to an avian flu pandemic, as well as pervasive use of biometric identification and signal intelligence gathering and analysis by the regime.
Film critics, political commentators and other members of the media have also noted the film's numerous references to events surrounding the George W. Bush administration in the United States. These include the hoods and sacks worn by the prisoners in Larkhill that have been seen as a reference to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. The Homeland Security Advisory System and rendition are also referenced. One of the forbidden items in Gordon's secret basement is a protest poster with a mixed US–UK flag with a swastika and the title "Coalition of the Willing, To Power" which combines the "Coalition of the Willing" with Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of will to power.
Despite the America-specific references, the filmmakers have always referred to the film as adding dialogue to a set of issues much broader than the US administration. When James McTeigue was asked whether or not BTN was based on Fox News Channel, McTeigue replied, "Yes. But not just Fox. Everyone is complicit in this kind of stuff. It could just as well been the Britain's Sky News Channel, also a part of News Corp."
Production
Development
The film was made by many of the same filmmakers involved in The Matrix series. In 1988, producer Joel Silver acquired the rights to two of Alan Moore's works: V for Vendetta and Watchmen. After the release and relative success of Road House, writer Hilary Henkin was brought on to flesh out the project with an initial draft – one that bears little, if any, relation to the finished product, with the inclusion of overtly satirical and surrealistic elements not present in the graphic novel, as well as the removal of much of the novel's ambiguity, especially in regard to V's identity. The Wachowskis were fans of V for Vendetta and in the mid-1990s, before working on The Matrix, wrote a draft screenplay that closely followed the graphic novel. During the post-production of the second and third The Matrix films, they revisited the screenplay and offered the director's role to James McTeigue. All three were intrigued by the original story's themes and found them to be relevant to the contemporary political landscape. Upon revisiting the screenplay, the Wachowskis set about making revisions to condense and modernise the story, while at the same time attempting to preserve its integrity and themes. James McTeigue cites the film The Battle of Algiers as his principal influence in preparing to film V for Vendetta.
Moore explicitly disassociated himself from the film due to his lack of involvement in its writing or directing, as well as due to a continuing series of disputes over film adaptations of his work. He ended cooperation with his publisher, DC Comics, after its corporate parent, Warner Bros., failed to retract statements about Moore's supposed endorsement of the film. Moore said that the script contained plot holes and that it ran contrary to the theme of his original work, which was to place two political extremes (fascism and anarchism) against one another. He argues his work had been recast as a story about "current American neoconservatism vs. current American liberalism". Per his wishes, Moore's name does not appear in the film's closing credits. Co-creator and illustrator David Lloyd supports the film adaptation, commenting that the script is very good but that Moore would only ever be truly happy with a complete book-to-screen adaptation. In 2021, Lloyd revealed that Moore had wanted to make V for Vendetta into a movie around the time the comic book was originally being conceived.
Casting
James Purefoy was originally cast as V, but dropped out after six weeks into filming. Although at the time it was reported this was because of difficulties wearing the mask for the entire film, he later stated that it was really due to creative differences on how V should be portrayed. He was replaced by Hugo Weaving, who had previously worked with Joel Silver and the Wachowskis on The Matrix series.
Director James McTeigue first met Natalie Portman during the filming of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, on which he worked as assistant director. In preparation for the role, Portman worked with dialect coach Barbara Berkery to speak in an English accent, studied films such as The Weather Underground, and read the autobiography of Menachem Begin. She received top billing for the film. Her role in the film has parallels to her role in Léon: The Professional. According to Portman: "the relationship between V and Evey has a complication the relationship in that film. There's moments when it's father/daughter. There's moments when it's like lovers, it has moments when it's mentor/student. And many times all at once."
Filming
V for Vendetta was filmed in London, England, and in Potsdam, Germany, at Babelsberg Studios. Much of the film was shot on sound stages and indoor sets, with location work done in Berlin for three scenes: the Norsefire rally flashback, Larkhill, and Bishop Lilliman's bedroom. The scenes that took place in the abandoned London Underground were filmed at the disused Aldwych tube station. Filming began in early March 2004 and lasted through early June 2004. V for Vendetta is the final film shot by cinematographer Adrian Biddle, who died of a heart attack on 7 December 2005, 9 months after the movie's world debut.
To film the final scene at Westminster, the area from Trafalgar Square and Whitehall up to Parliament and Big Ben had to be closed for three nights from midnight until 5 am. This was the first time the security-sensitive area (home to 10 Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence) had ever been closed to accommodate filming. Then-Prime Minister Tony Blair's son, Euan, worked on the film's production and is said (according to an interview with Stephen Fry) to have helped the filmmakers obtain the unparalleled filming access. This drew criticism of Blair from MP David Davis due to the film's content. However, the filmmakers denied Euan Blair's involvement in the deal, stating that access was acquired through nine months of negotiations with 14 different government departments and agencies.
Post-production
The film was designed to have a retrofuturistic look, with heavy use of grey tones to give a dreary, stagnant feel to totalitarian London. The largest set created for the film was the Shadow Gallery, which was made to feel like a cross between a crypt and an undercroft.
One of the major challenges in the film was how to bring V to life from under an expressionless mask. Thus, considerable effort was made to bring together lighting, acting, and Weaving's voice to create the proper mood for the situation. Since the mask muffled Weaving's voice, his entire dialogue was re-recorded in post-production.
Music and soundtrack
Main article: V for Vendetta: Music from the Motion PictureThe V for Vendetta soundtrack was released by Astralwerks Records on 21 March 2006. The original scores from the film's composer, Dario Marianelli, make up most of the tracks on the album. The soundtrack also features three vocals played during the film: "Cry Me a River" by Julie London, a cover of The Velvet Underground song "I Found a Reason" by Cat Power and "Bird Gerhl" by Antony and the Johnsons. As mentioned in the film, these songs are samples of the 872 blacklisted tracks on V's Wurlitzer jukebox that V "reclaimed" from the Ministry of Objectionable Materials. The climax of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture appears at the end of the track "Knives and Bullets (and Cannons too)". The Overture's finale is played at key parts at the beginning and end of the film.
Three songs were played during the ending credits which were not included on the V for Vendetta soundtrack. The first was "Street Fighting Man" by the Rolling Stones. The second was a special version of Ethan Stoller's "BKAB". In keeping with revolutionary tone of the film, excerpts from "On Black Power" (also in "A Declaration of Independence") by black nationalist leader Malcolm X, and from "Address to the Women of America" by feminist writer Gloria Steinem were added to the song. Gloria Steinem can be heard saying: "This is no simple reform ... It really is a revolution. Sex and race, because they are easy and visible differences, have been the primary ways of organising human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labour on which this system still depends." The final song was "Out of Sight" by Spiritualized.
Also in the film were segments from two of Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic bossa nova songs, "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars". These songs were played during the "breakfast scenes" with V and Deitrich and were one of the ways used to tie the two characters together. Beethoven's Symphony No.5 also plays an important role in the film, with the first four notes of the first movement signifying the letter "V" in Morse code. Gordon Deitrich's Benny Hill-styled comedy sketch of Chancellor Sutler includes the "Yakety Sax" theme. Inspector Finch's alarm clock begins the morning of 4 November with the song "Long Black Train" by Richard Hawley, which contains the foreshadowing lyrics "Ride the long black train ... take me home black train."
Differences between the film and the graphic novel
The film's story was adapted from Alan Moore and David Lloyd's graphic novel V for Vendetta; this was originally published between 1982 and 1985 in the British comic anthology Warrior, and then reprinted and completed by DC. Moore's comics were later compiled into a graphic novel and published again in the United States under DC's Vertigo imprint and in the United Kingdom under Titan Books.
There are several fundamental differences between the film and the original source material. Alan Moore's original story was created as a response to British Thatcherism in the early 1980s and was set as a conflict between a fascist state and anarchism, while the film's story was changed by the Wachowskis to fit a modern US political context. Alan Moore, however, charged that, in doing so, the story turned into an American-centric conflict between liberalism and neoconservatism, and abandoned the original anarchist–fascist themes. Moore states that "here wasn't a mention of anarchy as far as I could see. The fascism had been completely defanged. I mean, I think that any references to racial purity had been excised, whereas actually, fascists are quite big on racial purity." Furthermore, in the original story, Moore attempted to maintain moral ambiguity, and not to portray the fascists as caricatures, but as realistic, rounded characters. The time limitations of a film meant that the story had to omit or streamline some of the characters, details, and plotlines from the original story.
Many of the characters from the graphic novel underwent significant changes for the film. V is characterised in the film as a romantic freedom fighter who shows concern over the loss of innocent life. However, in the graphic novel, he is portrayed as ruthless, willing to kill anyone who gets in his way. Evey Hammond's transformation as V's protégée is also much more drastic in the novel than in the film. Gordon, a very minor character in both versions, is also drastically changed. In the novel, Gordon is a small-time criminal who takes Evey into his home after V abandons her on the street. The two share a brief romance before Gordon is killed by a Scottish gang. In the film, however, Gordon is a well-mannered colleague of Evey's, and is later revealed to be gay. He is arrested by Fingermen for broadcasting a political parody on his TV program, and is later executed when a Quran is found in his possession.
Release
The film adopts extensive imagery from the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, in which a group of Catholic conspirators plotted to destroy the Houses of Parliament in order to spark a revolution in Great Britain. The film was originally scheduled for release on the weekend of 5 November 2005, the Plot's 400th anniversary, with the tag line "Remember, remember the 5th of November", taken from a traditional British rhyme memorialising the event. However, the marketing angle lost much of its value when the release date was pushed back to 17 March 2006. Many have speculated that the delay was caused by the London tube bombing on the 7 July and the failed 21 July bombing. The filmmakers have denied this, saying that the delays were due to the need for more time to finish the visual effects production. V for Vendetta had its first major premiere on 11 December 2005, at Butt-Numb-A-Thon, followed by a premiere on 13 February 2006 at the Berlin Film Festival. It opened for general release on 17 March 2006 in 3,365 cinemas in the United States, the United Kingdom and six other countries.
Marketing
Promotion
The cast and filmmakers attended several press conferences that allowed them to address issues surrounding the film, including its authenticity, Alan Moore's reaction to it and its intended political message. The film was intended to be a departure from some of Moore's original themes. In the words of Hugo Weaving: "Alan Moore was writing about something which happened some time ago. It was a response to living in Thatcherite Britain ... This is a response to the world in which we live today. So I think that the film and the graphic novel are two separate entities." Regarding the film's controversial political content, the filmmakers have said that the film is intended more to raise questions and add to a dialogue already present in society, rather than provide answers or tell viewers what to think.
Books
The original graphic novel by Moore and Lloyd was re-released as a hardback collection in October 2005 to tie into the film's original release date of 5 November 2005. The film renewed interest in Alan Moore's original story, and sales of the original graphic novel rose dramatically in the United States.
A novelisation of the film, written by Steve Moore (no relation to Alan Moore) and based on the Wachowskis' script, was published by Pocket Star on 31 January 2006. Spencer Lamm, who has worked with the Wachowskis, created a "behind-the-scenes" book. Titled V for Vendetta: From Script to Film, it was published by Universe on 22 August 2006.
Home media
V for Vendetta was released on DVD in the US on 1 August 2006, in three formats: a single-disc widescreen version, a single-disc fullscreen version, and a two-disc wide-screen special edition. The single disc versions contain a short (15:56) behind-the-scenes featurette titled "Freedom! Forever! Making V for Vendetta" and the film's theatrical trailer, whereas the two-disc special edition contains three additional documentaries, and several extra features for collectors. On the second disc of the special edition, a short Easter egg clip of Natalie Portman on Saturday Night Live can be viewed by selecting the picture of wings on the second page of the menu.
Its Blu-ray edition was a top seller in the United States in late May 2008. It was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray in October 2020.
Reception
Box office
By December 2006, V for Vendetta had grossed $134,686,457, of which $70,511,035 was from the United States. The film led the U.S. box office on its opening day, taking in an estimated $8,742,504, and remained the number one film for the remainder of the weekend, taking in an estimated $25,642,340. Its closest rival, Failure to Launch, took in $15,604,892. The film debuted at number one in the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan. V for Vendetta also opened in 56 IMAX cinemas in North America, grossing $1.36 million during the opening three days.
DVD sales were successful, selling 1,412,865 DVD units in the first week of release which translated to $27,683,818 in revenue. By the end of 2006, 3,086,073 DVD units had been sold, bringing in slightly more than its production cost with $58,342,597. As of September 2018, the film has grossed over $62 million from DVD and Blu-ray sales in the United States.
The film was also successful in terms of merchandise sales, with hundreds of thousands of Guy Fawkes masks from the film having been sold every year since the film's release, as of 2011. Time Warner owns the rights to the image and is paid a fee with the sale of each official mask.
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 73% approval rating based on 258 reviews, with an average rating of 6.80/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta's political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100 based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.
Ebert and Roeper gave the film a "two thumbs up" rating. Roger Ebert stated that V for Vendetta "almost always has something going on that is actually interesting, inviting us to decode the character and plot and apply the message where we will". Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton from At the Movies stated that despite the problem of never seeing Weaving's face, there was good acting and an interesting plot, adding that the film is also disturbing, with scenes reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
Jonathan Ross from the BBC blasted the film, calling it a "woeful, depressing failure" and stating that the "cast of notable and familiar talents such as John Hurt and Stephen Rea stand little chance amid the wreckage of the Wachowski siblings' dismal script and its particularly poor dialogue." Sean Burns of Philadelphia Weekly gave the film a 'D', criticising the film's treatment of its political message as being "fairly dim, adolescent stuff," as well as expressing dislike for the "barely decorated sets with television-standard overlit shadow-free cinematography by the late Adrian Biddle. The film is a visual insult." On Alan Moore removing his name from the project, Burns says "it's not hard to see why," as well as criticising Portman's performance: "Portman still seems to believe that standing around with your mouth hanging open constitutes a performance."
Harry Guerin from the Irish TV network RTÉ states the film "works as a political thriller, adventure and social commentary and it deserves to be seen by audiences who would otherwise avoid any/all of the three". He added that the film will become "a cult favourite whose reputation will only be enhanced with age." Andy Jacobs for the BBC gave the film two stars out of five, remarking that it is "a bit of a mess ... it rarely thrills or engages as a story."
V was included on Fandomania's list of The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters. Empire magazine named the film the 418th greatest movie of all time in 2008.
Accolades
Main article: List of accolades received by V for Vendetta (film)V for Vendetta received a few awards, although at the 2007 Saturn Awards Natalie Portman won the Best Actress award. The film was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form in 2007.
Political response
V for Vendetta deals with issues of totalitarianism, homosexuality, Islamophobia and terrorism. Its controversial story line and themes have been the target of both criticism and praise from sociopolitical groups.
On 17 April 2006, the New York Metro Alliance of Anarchists organised a protest against DC Comics and Time Warner, accusing it of watering down the story's original message in favour of violence and special effects. David Graeber, an anarchist scholar and former professor at Yale University, was not upset by the film. "I thought the message of anarchy got out in spite of Hollywood." However, Graeber went on to state: "Anarchy is about creating communities and democratic decision making. That's what is absent from Hollywood's interpretation."
Film critic Richard Roeper dismissed Christian criticism of the film on the television show Ebert and Roeper, saying that V's "terrorist" label is applied in the film "by someone who's essentially Hitler, a dictator."
LGBT commentators have praised the film for its positive depiction of gay people. Sarah Warn of AfterEllen called the film "one of the most pro-gay ever". Warn went on to praise the central role of the character Valerie "not just because it is beautifully acted and well written, but because it is so utterly unexpected ."
David Walsh of the World Socialist Web Site criticised V's actions as "antidemocratic," calling the film an example of "the bankruptcy of anarcho-terrorist ideology;" Walsh writes that because the people have not played any part in the revolution, they will be unable to produce a "new, liberated society."
The film was broadcast on China's national TV station, China Central Television (CCTV) on 16 December 2012 completely uncensored, surprising many viewers. While many believed that the government had banned the film, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television stated that it was not aware of a ban; CCTV makes its own decisions on whether to censor foreign films. Liu Shanying, a political scientist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who used to work for CCTV, speculated that the showing indicated that Chinese film censorship is getting loosened.
See also
- List of fictional prime ministers of the United Kingdom
- List of films featuring surveillance
- List of films that depict class struggle
- Anonymous
- Mr. Robot
- Propaganda of the deed
Notes
- ^ Credited as The Wachowski Brothers.
- Alan Moore, dissatisfied with the film adaptations of his other works, From Hell (2001) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), declined to watch the film and asked to not be credited or paid royalties.
- Credited as Andy and Larry Wachowski.
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{{cite web}}
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Further reading
- Amazon, Nancy (21 March 2017). "v for vendetta". Kissing Fingertips.
- Asher-Perrin, Emmet (14 June 2016). "Apologize to No One — V for Vendetta is More Important Today Than it Ever Was". Tor.com.
- Clough, Rob (14 October 2021). "The Untold Truth of V for Vendetta". Looper.
- Crow, David (5 November 2019). "The Creeping Reality of V for Vendetta". Den of Geek.
- Patel, Varun (30 May 2020). "V for Vendetta Ending, Explained". The Cinemaholic.
- Riedel, Samantha (9 November 2018). "How V for Vendetta Predicted America's Descent Into Fascism". Them.
- Rudoy, Matthew (4 July 2020). "V For Vendetta: 10 Most Memorable Quotes". Comic Book Resources.
- Barry, Barry (20 June 2020). "V For Vendetta: Movie vs Graphic Novel". This Is Barry.
- Wickman, Forrest (9 December 2011). "Is the Guy Fawkes Mask a Metaphor for the Closet?". Slate.
- Billias, Nancy, ed. (2011). "Sympathy for the Devil: The Hero is a Terrorist in V for Vendetta (Margarita Carretero-González)". Promoting and Producing Evil. Rodopi. pp. 199–210. doi:10.1163/9789042029408_012. ISBN 978-9042029392.
- Evans, Jonathan C.; Giddens, Thomas, eds. (2013). "V for Valerie: Lesbianism in V for Vendetta (Derek Frasure)". Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel. Inter-Disciplinary Press. pp. 161–172. doi:10.1163/9781848881990_017. ISBN 978-1848881990.
- Foy, Joseph J., ed. (2008). "R for Revolution: Hobbes and Locke on Social Contracts and Scarlet Carsons (Dean A. Kowalski)". Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 19–40. ISBN 978-0813125121.
- Lamm, Spencer, ed. (2006). V for Vendetta: from Script to Film. Universe Publishing. ISBN 978-0789315205.
External links
- V for Vendetta – Official website at Warner Bros.
- V for Vendetta at IMDb
- V for Vendetta at the TCM Movie Database
- V for Vendetta at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- V for Vendetta at Box Office Mojo
- V for Vendetta at Rotten Tomatoes
- V for Vendetta at Metacritic
- V for Vendetta script at the Internet Movie Script Database
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- 2005 films
- V for Vendetta
- 2005 action thriller films
- 2005 directorial debut films
- 2000s political thriller films
- 2000s superhero films
- American LGBTQ-related films
- American science fiction action films
- Anarchist fiction
- British LGBTQ-related films
- British nonlinear narrative films
- German nonlinear narrative films
- English-language German films
- Fiction about government
- Lesbian-related films
- Live-action films based on comics
- Films about anti-fascism
- Films about fascism
- Films about totalitarianism
- Films about freedom of expression
- Films set in the 2010s
- Films set in the 2020s
- Films set in the 2030s
- Films set in London
- Films shot in Berlin
- Films shot in London
- Films based on Vertigo Comics titles
- Films based on works by Alan Moore
- Films directed by James McTeigue
- Films critical of religion
- Films produced by Grant Hill (producer)
- Films produced by Joel Silver
- Films produced by The Wachowskis
- Films with screenplays by The Wachowskis
- Films scored by Dario Marianelli
- Cultural depictions of Metropolitan Police officers
- Films shot at Pinewood Studios
- IMAX films
- Silver Pictures films
- Babelsberg Studio films
- Warner Bros. films
- 2000s English-language films
- 2000s American films
- 2000s British films
- 2000s German films
- Catholic Church in popular culture
- British dystopian films
- Dystopian films
- 2005 LGBTQ-related films
- English-language action thriller films
- Saturn Award–winning films