The 2005 political thriller focuses on an anarchist freedom fighter called V, who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and plots to blow up the UK Parliament on Bonfire Night in protest of a neo-fascist regime.
V for Vendetta has gone on to inspire anti-establishment groups like Anonymous, who will be leading their controversial Million Mask March from London’s Trafalgar Square tonight – with many wearing the iconic Guy Fawkes mask for the movie.
Since tonight is Bonfire Night, here are nine dynamite facts about the V for Vendetta movie that you probably didn’t know.
1. James Purefoy was originally cast as V, but a month into filming was fired over not having a “dynamic enough presence.” Hugo Weaving took over the role and allegedly dubbed over some of Purefoy’s scenes.
2. Based on the 1989 graphic novel by Alan Moore, the Watchmen author refused to see the movie, be credited or take any profits from the film adaptation. He had read the script and thought it “rubbish”.
3. Moore’s writing was based on Margaret Thatcher’s government. Illustrator David Lloyd said: “Our attitude toward Margaret Thatcher’s ultra-conservative government was one of the driving forces behind the fascist British police state we created in Vendetta.”
4. The Wachowskis had written a script before making The Matrix trilogy. While they didn’t direct, they moved the story to the future and made the characters older.
5. V for Vendetta was James McTeigue’s directorial debut, having first been assistant director on the Matrix trilogy and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
6. The film was originally supposed to be released on November 5th, 2005, the 400th Guy Fawkes Night, but it was delayed in post-production until St Patrick’s Day.
7. John Hurt’s High Chancellor, partly inspired by 1984’s Big Brother, shot his scenes in Berlin locations where Hitler gave speeches.
8. When V introduces himself to Natalie Portman’s Evey, starting with “Voila” and finishing with “coincidence”, he uses words that begin with the letter V 48 times.
9. The dominoes scene took four professional assemblers 200 hours to set up 22,000 pieces.
V for Vendetta is streaming now in 4K on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ for £3.49.