V for Vendetta Essay Plan

The film ‘V for Vendetta’, directed by James McTeigue in 2005 is set in a dystopian future of Britain and justifies terrorism if it is for freedom. This film also gives the viewer warnings that they could be living a life of fear and oppression under a dictatorship if they allow it to happen when V says that the people of Britain voted for their own government.

Theme: Dictatorship

Scene: Opening scene/curfew is set

Micro: Speakers to announce curfew (people punished if they are out past curfew), vans patrolling streets (people punished if they speak against the government).

Analysis: Warning to the viewer that they have the power to stop this happening in the future – people becoming enslaved and oppressed, as it is a possibility.

Theme: Oppression

Scene: Dietrich’s house

Micro: Copy of Koran (people are not allowed to have their own beliefs), images of male erotica (people are not allowed an identity, must conform to government standards)

Analysis: Fascism, no one has their own identity - the government could have the ability to take away someone’s identity if they want to.

Theme: Terrorism

Scene: V blows up the Old Bailey

Micro: V is masked (wants to hide his identity), blowing up buildings is an act of terrorism, his monologue is about revenge.

Analysis: The end justifies the means; it’s ok to kill people in the name of freedom so there is no protagonist – one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. Governments can use terror to control their people.

Theme: Revenge

Scene: V kills the people who experimented on him at Larkhill

Micro: He kills people and leaves a rose behind (has the same characteristics as a serial killer)

Analysis: His revolution might not be a revolution, just a way of justifying to others why he is killing the people who experimented on. A warning to the audience that people aren't as they seem on the “outside”

Theme: Freedom

Scene: When Evey is being tortured by V

Micro: She says she would rather die than tell the government about V (she is free from fear)

Analysis: Freedom is more important than life. She would rather be killed than give up what is depicted as Britain’s chance of freedom.

In conclusion, the film ‘V for Vendetta’ uses themes of dictatorship, oppression, terrorism, revenge and freedom to illustrate the importance of identity and freedom being more important than life, or laws. It also warns the viewer that they are capable of making the same mistakes that the people of Britain did in the film and turn Britain into country of oppression and enslavement.