Remember, Remember . . . V for Vendetta

I aim to write this more about the movie than the comics as I feel the movie has a wider audience, but this by no means discounts the incredible writing of the comics (obviously). I will be leaning into the comics here and there as well, of course, as it is the foundation to this entire diatribe I am about to explore.

Let's start with the obvious: the dialogue. The writing in general is masterful, but the dialogue on its own is phenomenal. I find myself nodding to the character articulation that inspires me with even snippets of quotes. Indeed, "spare the rod" on it's own is relatively non-threatening, but within the context of the precluding fight and Shakespearean quote, coming full swing to insult the corrupted fingermen with sly banter adds a level of intimidation coated in eloquent swagger that is inimitable.

"We are oft to blame in this, 'tis too much proved - that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the devil himself."

"What's that mean?"

"Spare the rod..."

Just to provide an example. It is this consistent delivery, impressive character depth, and eerily foreshadowed political symmetry, that has landed this movie in my annual watchlist for every November 5th, one of my favorite holidays, since the year it came to DVD.

Beyond that, the subtle nods of sarcasm and witty repartee delivered by several of the characters fuels my inner adult-child's joy. I cannot speak enough testament to my enjoyment of the character dialogue, so prepare for a few more quotes to provide evidence of my statement.

"One thing is true of all governments - their most reliable records are tax records."

Evey Hammond: Is everything a joke to you, Gordon?

Gordon Deitrich: Only the things that matter.

Evey Hammond: Where did you get all this stuff?

V: Oh, here and there, mostly from the Ministry of Objectionable Materials.

Evey Hammond: You stole them?

V: Oh, heavens, no. Stealing implies ownership. You can't steal from the censor; I merely reclaimed them.

Evey Hammond: Are you like a... crazy person?

V: I'm quite sure they will say so.

And the coup de gras:

"Pucker up, here comes a finger."

Political stances aside, and not to get deep into the conspiracy territory, I would like to believe that corruption in the government is a thing - I wish it weren't, but it is. Riding the curtails of a global pandemic, it seems fitting to discuss this movie, considering the premise.

For those who are unaware of the story (if you are one, stop reading this immediately and go watch the movie), the actions of this film follow a devastating plot from the existing government, who rose to power by discovering a biological weapon, but chose to turn it onto their own citizens. This attack is played off as an act of terrorism and scapegoats are selected to take the fall. The political snakes rallied support by promising a cure to the horrific disease threatening them, which of course, they deliver immediately, but in turn they slowly strip rights from the citizens all in the interest of protecting them.

However, in the pursuit of this deadly weapon, they experimented on several people to find a cure. Enter V, who took to the chemicals in such a way that made him not only immune, but also provided him with incredible strength and recovery. He broke out from the testing lab and spent almost a decade plotting his revenge, which is where this film takes place, the beginning of him making himself known, taking inspiration from Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up parliament as his final act.

"...A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world."

To provide the most "nail on the head" quotes to summarize this. Let's begin with his address to the people to rally the aforementioned support:

"Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, whereby those important events of the past, usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you, then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot."

And then the history of events leading to these moments....

"Our story begins, as these stories often do, with a young up-and-coming politician. He's a deeply religious man and a member of the conservative party. He is completely single-minded in his convictions and has no regard for the political process. Eventually, his party launches a special project in the name of 'national security'. At first, it is believed to be a search for biological weapons and it is pursued regardless of its cost. However, the true goal of the project is power, complete and total hegemonic domination. The project, however, ends violently... but the efforts of those involved are not in vain, for a new ability to wage war is born from the blood of one of their victims. Imagine a virus - the most terrifying virus you can, and then imagine that you and you alone have the cure. But if your ultimate goal is power, how best to use such a weapon? It is at this point in our story that along comes a spider. He is a man seemingly without a conscience; for whom the ends always justify the means and it is he who suggests that their target should not be an enemy of the country but rather the country itself. Three targets are chosen to maximize the effect of the attack: a school, a tube station, and a water-treatment plant. Several hundred die within the first few weeks. Until at last the true goal comes into view. Before the St. Mary's crisis, no one would have predicted the outcome of the elections. No one. But after the election, lo and behold, a miracle. Some believed that it was the work of God himself, but it was a pharmaceutical company controlled by certain party members made them all obscenely rich. But the true genius of the plan was the fear. A year later, several extremists are tried, found guilty, and executed while a memorial is built to canonize their victims. Fear became the ultimate tool of this government. And through it our politician was ultimately appointed to the newly created position of High Chancellor. The rest, as they say, is history."

Ok, this movie is very clearly coated in heavy political themes, and for those that have seen it, see the NAZI-esque imagery. The foundation material was written in 1982, but I do wonder what takeaways Alan Moore might gather from modern times. Personally, I see 2022 as very thematic to the world created in V for Vendetta, some might agree, others may not, and that is fine. But I can't help but notice, the climate surrounding the most recent pandemic, how divided the country (I am from the US) became, and how hostile some became to others. Again, not planting a flag in either side as I believe that both sides are guilty of the same corruption, just under a different umbrella - clearly we are not in paradise right now.

It does send a shiver up my spine, though. When I watched this movie in 2005, the thought of how close this could be to reality, was far from my mind. So naturally, watching people toe the line with the "compliance" themes and the government's outlandish overreach and flirting with tyranny (both administrations) not far into my own future is disturbing by its own right.

I suppose this speaks more testament to the sheer genius of the writing. Much like the Simpsons notorious catalog of clairvoyance and predictions, borderline satirical, I can make the argument that Alan Moore operates along the same medium. Though, the tone is darker and the humor, less prevalent.

I've always been a bit of an anti-establishment savant, mild - very mild, but I have to say that I agree with Evie Hammond on this one:

"This country needs more than a building right now."

Excuse my liberalness with the metaphor, stretching building, but the message I am trying to deliver is that I wouldn't be heartbroken if a real life V appeared with the same prose and fascination with re-establishing the country. Perhaps, this is just a "grass is greener" moment, but then again, maybe my sanity has waned enough to even be semi-serious about the whole affair.

Anyway, awkward segue away from the conspirator rant I swore to avoid. Let me end this tirade by reminding those who have seen this incredible film that it is due for a re-watch, even if you are watching the credits roll right now, and for those who haven't seen it to AGAIN, stop reading immediately and go watch - you owe yourself as much.