Totalitarianism, Anarchy, Freedom: Facets of V for Vendetta
First released in 1982, V for Vendetta is a comic book series written by Alan Moore that is mainly characterized by its dystopian and anarchist portrayal of the future of United Kingdom. The main plot of the comic series is like a modern day adaptation of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, with the main character V, resembling Guy Fawkes. This connection is more evidently seen in how the lead character, V, was portrayed in the comic series and film as wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.
Released in March 2006, the film adaptation of V for Vendetta starred Natalie Portman as Evey, Hugo Weaving as V, Stephen Rea as Inspector Finch, and John Hurt as Chancellor Adam Sutler. The film revolves around the quest of V, an anarchist revolutionary, to bring down the current ruling fascist party in London called Norsefire. This he does by soliciting the help of Evey Hammond, whom he takes under his tutelage and opens her eyes to Norsefire’s murderous, totalitarian grip on power. There were a lot of political references made in the movie, one of which is the name of Norsefire Chancellor Adam Sutler, which closely resembles Germany’s Adolf Hitler.
It is said that Alan Moore, the creator of the comic series, was largely disappointed with how the Wachowski brothers translated his work into the film. Among Alan Moore’s criticisms of the movie adaptation was that the lead character was portrayed more as a freedom fighter instead of an anarchist revolutionary. Moore also criticized the Wachowskis’ removal of drug references and anarchist themes originally contained in the comic book – thus altering the overall political message that Moore intended to convey when he created V for Vendetta.
V for Vendetta, both the film and comic series, is loved by a lot of activists and free-thinking individuals who want to see changes in the current socio-political climate of their countries. This movie poster is ideal for such individuals, film enthusiasts, as well as Alan Moore’s followers.
