In the 2000s, comic book adaptations experienced a new boom, especially with a focus on the great superheroes from Marvel and DC. X-Men, Spider-Man and of course The Dark Knight: Without all these films, the current blockbuster landscape would probably look very different. In between, however, there were also individual outliers.
One of these outliers is V for Vendetta. The 2005 sci-fi thriller is based on a script by Alan Moore, who is also behind Watchmen. None other than the Wachowski sisters were responsible for the adaptation, while their long-time assistant director James McTeigue took over the production.
V for Vendetta takes you to a dystopian London
Today V for Vendetta is on TV – the perfect opportunity to return to this strong comic book adaptation, which often falls by the wayside in comparison to the much more popular representatives of the genre. We can recommend stirring and rousing I can only recommend this work with Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving in the leading roles.
Watch the trailer for V for Vendetta:
V for Vendetta – Trailer (German)
The story of V for Vendetta is set in present-day Britain. Although the action takes place in the 1990s, the adaptation takes place in the year 2000. However, the premise is the same in both the film and the comic: the country is ruled by the autocratic Grand Chancellor of a fascist party which systematically suppresses all dissidents.
The unknown avenger behind the Guy Fawkes mask
This totalitarian regime is expressed through strict curfews, while the media is controlled by government circles. A fairly frightening dystopia: Order and security are promised here, but in the end it is only fear that prevails. Accordingly, dark, constricting images dominate V for Vendetta as a sci-fi thriller.
The protagonist Evey Hammond, played by Natalie Portman, finds herself in this cruel world before she is rescued/kidnapped by the vigilant avenger V (Hugo Weaving). Guy Fawkes mask The stranger who wants to blow up the House of Parliament on November 5th is hiding. From now on we spend a lot of time in his hiding place, where he is now also keeping Evey as a prisoner.
Warner Bros.
V for Vendetta
Aside from the political and social conflicts that V for Vendetta deals with, the encounter between these two people in a confined space is one of the most captivating parts of the film. The Wachowskis’ script focuses in particular on complex power dynamics between the two and it is certainly not an easy or comfortable path to take.
Tears mark the best moment in V for Vendetta
The confrontations are often painful, which is not least due to the contrasts between the characters. On the one hand, there is this man whose true face we never see. A sinister figure who screaming from the flames has risen, has withdrawn into solitude and is now hatching a plan of revenge that will shake the whole of London to its foundations.
On the other hand, Evey balances all emotions on her face and, in the most overwhelming moment of the film, Tears of freedom of rain Despite all these contrasts, V for Vendetta succeeds in bringing both characters together – not only on an explanatory plot level, but also in terms of the cinematic form that makes the pain tangible for us.
Warner Bros.
V for Vendetta
At first glance, it is the images of the exploding parliament to the sounds of Tchaikovsky that burn V for Vendetta into the memory. The much more engaging part of the film, however, takes place comparatively inconspicuous to the fantastic music of Dario Marianelli and relies entirely on the outstanding interplay between Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
Gripping sci-fi thriller: When will V for Vendetta be on TV?
V for Vendetta runs at night from Monday to Tuesday at 01:15 on Kabel EinsThe film runs until 3:25 a.m. with advertising. The broadcaster has not scheduled a repeat. If you would rather stream the film, you can currently do so on Amazon Prime Video, among others, with various purchase and rental options.
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