"V for Vendetta" (2005) Directed by James McTeigue #vforvendetta #dccomics #movies

V for Vendetta opens with ominous black and while toned opening titles including a reference to “DC Comics” on whose graphic novels the film is based. Against the background of a completely black slide the English folk rhyme of “Remember, Remember the 5th of November” is recited as a narration by an unseen young lady before this is dissolved into a sepia coloured re-enactment of the foiled plot of Guy Fawkes in 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The re-enactment follows his capture and eventual public hanging before a completely black screen returns for the end of her narration as she presciently announces that ideas have worth and value, that “they do not bleed” and that a single man taught her the value of ideas and truth and she will never forget this man or what 5th November represents ever again.

As the narration ends a blood red and fiery title slide announces “V for Vendetta”.

We cut to the first of many television rants from “Shock Jock” and all round odious creature “Lewis Prothero” (Roger Allam), the self titled “Voice of London” on the British Television Network as he espouses violent retribution on the United States of America by invoking the Boston Tea Party revolution of the 18th Century and the reasons for their current demise in the western world as a lack of “Godliness”. During Prothero’s obnoxious continuing rant to camera, the camera cuts brilliantly between a young woman and an older man sitting at their respective dressing tables preparing and dressing for an evening out. Both of the unnamed characters have their televisions on and continue dressing almost simultaneously as the clever cuts between them display. Neither is particularly watching the repulsive actions of Prothero but as the young lady finishes brushing her hair we cut for the first time to the real hero of our film.

Facing his dressing table mirror “V” (Hugo Weaving) affixes his distinctive mask for the first time whilst Prothero prophetically exclaims that “someone is watching over this country” however V is clearly not the someone he has in mind!

The above paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "V For Vendetta" written nearly a decade ago, updated with a fresh introduction and published to my Medium blog site on 7th January 2023 and which can now be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and the updated and original article linked immediately below:

https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/v-for-vendetta-2005-9ec21c064c3e

This spoiler free review is also integral to the 7th and final volume of my "essential film reviews collection". Currently only available as an e-book and £4.99 per volume, however should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package you can read each and every volume for free.

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4WX4CGD

All 7 Volumes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

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