A Revolution Without Dancing Is A Revolution Not Worth Having.

I think that with it being the 5th of november, this being a literature class, and the theme we are talking about being revolution and the like, it would be appropriate if I talked a bit about a movie.

It will come of no surprise to you the movie I wish to talk about. It is none other than the movie V for Vendetta.

Unfortunately, some people in our country often disregard a movie if it is not full of action, has a huge plot twist, and a happy ending. If you have to pay close attention and actually think about it, then it probably won't do too well. With this movie, however it IS enjoyable to some who don't pay attention, because it is in fact filled with action and good acting and such....but there is so much more that I fear people miss.

This is a movie about an idea, which as I have previously stated, is freedom. It is the story of a tyrannical government that has taken over England and instilled fear in the hearts of the people by kidnapping and in many cases killing all of those who oppose them. They do anything and everything to gain power over the people that they govern. One man, who has seen the worst end of this government's tyranny, decides to stand up to them. He begins to cause chaos. Disrupt the peace and control that the government has over England, and reminds the people that they are still free. His name? We never find out. All we know him as, is the letter "V". V is a man who believes that something has to be done to remind people that they are people, and should not be controlled by this evil government as they are. He wears a mask of Guy Fawkes, who was one of the key members of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605(another great revolution attempt, which took place on November 5th, 1605). This mask is more than a representation of a man, however. It is the picture of revolution itself, as is V.

In class we asked the question, is it okay to commit crimes if it is for the good of society? The scenario of this movie asks the same question: Is this man, a terrorist blowing up buildings and causing chaos in an attempt to bring down the established government, doing the right thing? Are his means justified by the end?

I will not give spoilers as to how the movie ends, but I will point out things to look for if any of you who have not seen it, or even you who have, decide to watch it.

Warning: there are themes in this movie of which I do not support. There are a few mentions and scenes of homosexual couples(Nothing TOO graphic, but more than I want to see, nonetheless), which are illegal in this movie's setting, used to show how far this government is willing to go in order to maintain control.

Things to look for: The main thing I want you to look for is the reason for the mask. This mask is very symbolic of the idea of freedom. There are times when people try to hit this mask with their bare fists, only to break their hands. Freedom is unbreakable. There is a time when V must give up something that he never expected to have in the first place in the name of the freedom he is persuing. During this time, he removes the mask(not showing his face) and throwing it into a mirror. The mirror shatters, yet the mask stays whole, he obviously makes the choice to resume with his plans. Freedom comes at a price, a choice must be made if it is worth the cost. And finally, there is a scene when men are trying to kill V, and it is not working....after dealing blows that should be fatal, V is doubled over, in pain.....but there is no expression on the mask. This is symbolic that this story is NOT about a man, who is mortal...but the idea of freedom, which is constant, and will stand even when people try to destroy it, as V explains a minute later when asked "Why won't you die???" He says, "Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask is an idea, and ideas are bullet proof".

There is one other symbolic element with the mask that I would love to type, but I do not wish to give anything away. If you're paying attention, it is pretty obvious though.

Whether you like this movie or not, I believe that you should at least give thought to the statement that it makes: That people are free. Government's do not exsist to control the people of a nation, they exsist to protect them.

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V: "Voila! In view humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of "vox populi" now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vecation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin, van guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.....The only verdict is vengeance. A vendetta. Held as votive not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.....Verily this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you, and you may call me V"

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

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