“V - means vendetta” is one of those rare films whose viewing changes the worldview of people and has a huge impact on many aspects of public life in different countries.
Comic "V - means vendetta" - an extraordinary work
Alan Moore, an English writer, is best known as the author of such iconic comic books as The Keepers and The League of Outstanding Gentlemen. In addition, he worked on the creation of Batman and Superman. He had a great influence on many cultural figures and contributed to the popularization of comics. Largely thanks to him, a concept such as “graphic novel” appeared. Most of Moore's comics were filmed, although he was categorically against it.
A series of 10 comics entitled "V stands for Vendetta" was released from 1982 to 1989. This film by Moore after the film adaptation became a cult, like the picture itself. The mask of one of the 17th-century English conspirators Guy Fawkes, worn by the protagonist, has become the best-selling item in online stores. It began to be used internationally as a symbol of the people's revolution. Alan Moore was flattered when he found out what influence his comics had on people.
The story of the film
Lana and Andy Wachowski, the creators of the cult painting "The Matrix", are great admirers of the work of the famous English writer and comic book author Alan Moore. They developed a comic book script back in the 1990s, long before the creation of The Matrix.
The shooting of the picture “V - means vendetta”, the actors of which were selected very carefully, was conducted in London. The cinema group was allowed to work on Parliament Square and near White Hall, but only at night. Permission to conduct surveys of the city authorities was given for only three days.
The London Underground has an abandoned Oldwich station. It was closed in 1994. Those scenes in the film that take place in an abandoned metro were shot at this station. This gave the picture the necessary realism. The film crew even managed to use a real car, and not build the scenery.
The film "V - means vendetta" (the actors of the picture and their photo are presented later) was released later than the scheduled date of the premiere. The original release date of the tape was scheduled for November 5, but for reasons not announced by the filmmakers, the premiere was postponed to November 11, 2005. It took place in the city of Austin in Texas.
The plot of the picture
The action of the picture takes place in an alternate reality. As a result of the war and the terrible epidemic caused by it, a totalitarian regime was established in Great Britain. The country is subject to the strict rule of Chancellor Sutler.
Security in the country is maintained by Security Officers who commit crimes with impunity. One day, two of them attack Ivy Hammond, an employee of the television company. Unknown masked Guy Fawkes saves her from death. He takes her to the roof, from where the girl sees the demolition of the courthouse. This happens on the night of November 4-5. It was on this day that the English nobleman Guy Fawkes, one of the participants in the Gunpowder plot, was to light a wick leading to a room filled with gunpowder. It was located under the House of Lords. The demolition of the building failed because the conspirator was captured and executed.
Authorities explain the explosion of the courthouse by its emergency demolition, but the masked anonymous TV station broadcasts a speech in front of the audience calling on residents of London to rebel against the totalitarian regime of Chancellor Sutler. When special services burst into the television center, Ivy rescues V. After going through the cruel ordeal that the masked anonymous author prepared for her, she decides to join him in the fight against tyranny.
"V - means vendetta": actors and roles of the film
Artists for the picture were selected long and carefully. One of the main roles, anonymous V, was assigned to James Purfoy, known to the viewer for films such as Solomon Kane and John Carter. Having starred in several scenes, he left the picture. Hugo Weaving took his place in the project. Viewers know him for a huge number of interesting paintings, in the filming of which he took part. He played Elrond in all of the latest films based on the works of Tolkien and Agent Smith in the movie Matrix trilogy. Those scenes in which James Purefa was involved did not begin to be re-shot - Hugo Weaving just voiced them.
Many actresses, in particular Scarlett Johansson, claimed the main female role in the film. But Ivy Hammond was entrusted to play Natalie Portman. For this role, she had to deal with a dialectologist to develop the British accent necessary for the picture.
Actors of the film "V - means vendetta" were chosen successfully. Especially critics noted the role of Natalie Portman. She already had to act in fantastic films, so the work on this picture was given to her easily. However, the beautiful actress had to make sacrifices - in the story, her heroine shaves her head. Portman easily agreed to this step, saying that she had long wanted to shave her hair as an experiment.
Fantastic thriller "V - means vendetta" - masked actor
One of the main intrigues in the film was the personality of the protagonist, hiding his face under the guise of Guy Fawkes. In the comic, he explains his reluctance to shoot it by the fact that no matter what kind of person is hiding under it. The main thing is what idea it brings. Another reason for wearing the main character of the mask was the mutilation he received in the concentration camp in childhood. In the original work, the anonymous author asked not to remove the mask from him even after death. In the film, the viewer can catch a glimpse of V's face at the moment when he furiously throws the mask into the mirror.
Reviews from critics and viewers
The actors and roles of the film “V - means vendetta” were remembered by the audience and received positive feedback. Critics noted the excellent work of the cast and the originality of the plot of the picture. The ideas set forth in it found a response among many viewers. It was after the release of the screens that mask V became a symbol of the protest movement.
Interesting about the picture
"V - means vendetta", whose actors did an excellent job of the difficult tasks assigned to them, fraught with many references to the letter V.
The picture was first banned from showing in the DPRK, but then it was shown on one of the Chinese television channels. Now it is banned in the Republic of Belarus.