V for Vendetta

Two-Disc Special Edition

Warner Home Video

R1 DVD

Reviewer: Michelle Taylor

V for Vendetta is a visually stunning and politically controversial film. My first thought when watching it was how did this film ever get made? For V for Vendetta is like a secular anarchist manifesto. It was based on an English graphic novel of the same name by David Lloyd, it is a shame the author didn't like this film version much at all. I think the Wachowski Bros should be congratulated for simply bringing this timely film to the silver screen; it is especially relevant in today's climate of religious fundamentalism, extremism and intolerance.

The film is set in a bleak UK of the near future, the populace lives in constant fear of the oppressive Christo-Fascist dictatorship called Norsefire (rumoured to be based on the National Front) run by a Chancellor Sutler (John Hurt). A visual pun if there ever was one as John Hurt played Winston Smith, the revolutionary in 1984. The regime deports so called "minorities" - black bags Intellectuals, artists, sexual and gender minorities and anyone who presumably steps out of line.

The story of the film follows one Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) who is out late one night and is accosted and nearly raped by some secret policemen called "fingermen". She is saved at the last moment by a masked vigilante named V (Hugo Weaving) who takes her to his lair... after blowing up a building!

V is the anti-hero of the film that over time opens up Eveys mind to the horrors that are going on around her unquestioned and unchallenged by the populace and this is where the story really begins. He is the only one brave enough to stand up to the Norsefire regime, and he certainly does it with flair. V is a freedom fighter, albeit an obsessive one, not a terrorist like some have claimed, for he is fighting for the rights of the downtrodden people not for some twisted and reactionary religious dogma. One of the chief reasons I appreciate this film is for its compassionate and positive portrayal of its gay and lesbian characters. Indeed, many fundamentalist leaders today (of most religious persuasions) would love to persecute and treat homosexuals in the same away Norsefire does!

V For Vendetta as a film may not be as good as the graphic novel, but film versions of books rarely are. Doubtless Hollywood has filtered out some of the explicit political and drug references but the anarchist message still comes across loud and clear. If I where the author I would not complain too much, sales of the original graphic novel have gone up and people are slowly becoming more politically aware. This is a movie that questions where western culture is heading at a time when many of our basic freedoms are being eroded and the Christian right is gaining power and big business is creating a bland cultural wasteland. If humanity doesn't start to grow up soon, the world has no future. Viva la revolution.

The 2 DVD Special edition is packed with extras and includes:

"Freedom! Forever!: Making V for Vendetta" – The cast and crew of V for Vendetta reveal the intense filmmaking process

Theatrical Trailer

"Designing the Near Future" - A look at the artistic process of creating the frightening future world of V

"Remember, Remember: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot" - The history behind the story of Guy Fawkes

"England Prevails: V for Vendetta and the New Wave in Comics" - The origins of the original V story is illuminated

Cat Power Montage – Cat Power song played under images of the film

Easter egg: Saturday Night Live digital short