James Mcteigue's V For Vendetta

"Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." V for Vendetta, directed by James McTeigue, opens with this quote, briefly describing the history of Guy Fawkes and his plan to overthrow a tyrannical government, a plan which the protagonist seems to follow in London some 400 years later. This film, while of course is meant to entertain as most films do, is also given the role of sending a message. It has been said by many unnamed sources that "a people should not fear their government, a government should fear their people." To agree or disagree is up to the individual. Agree or disagree, this film is a warning. A people should not let any one, be it any one person or any one group, become too powerful, for that only leads to the destruction of the very people who allowed it to happen. Following the opening quote, there is a flashback to
In running to see what is the matter, however, she sees nothing more, or less, that "V" sword-fighting with a large, inanimate suit of armor. He gets so hammed-up at one point that he forces the hand of the suit to grasp around his throat as if to choke him. Upon discovery of being watched, he explains that he is acting alongside "my favorite film, The Count of Monte Cristo, with Robert Donat as Edmond Dantes." Immediately following this brief explanation, the character of Dantes is heard making this quote: "It is not my sword, Mondego, but your past that disarmed you." This quote makes further literary connection to "V," as the viewer can link that quote to "V's" relationship to Lewis Prothero, "the Voice of London," who the audience later finds out was once a commander at an "institute" where they were testing chemicals on civilians under the guise of safe government