20 Years Later, V For Vendetta’s Most Fiery Quote Feels More Impactful Than Ever

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The film V for Vendetta premiered at a festival in Austin, Texas, in late 2005, six months before its general release. As with all adaptations of his work, the acclaimed author Alan Moore publicly disapproved of it, criticizing the script by Lana and Lilly Wachowski for straying from his original vision. Despite this, the film continues to resonate powerfully today, and one particular quote remains strikingly relevant.

DC Studios is moving forward with a new adaptation of Alan Moore’s acclaimed graphic novel, a project likely to upset Moore given his past reluctance to see his work adapted. This version will be a series, giving it more time to closely follow the original comic – created with artists David Lloyd and Tony Weare and published between 1982 and 1989 – than a typical movie would allow. The film rights were initially acquired by Joel Silver in 1988, and the Wachowskis later developed a screenplay, even choosing Jason McTeigue, an assistant director from their Matrix films, to direct. Natalie Portman was set to play Evey Hammond, and Hugo Weaving was cast as V.

How the V For Vendetta Movie Differed From the Comic (And Why It’s Important)

Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta remains a powerful and influential work due to its portrayal of a radical, violent uprising against a totalitarian regime. It’s been particularly relevant in recent years. Moore originally conceived the story as a response to the 1983 U.K. election, believing Margaret Thatcher’s government would be defeated. He imagined a future where Michael Foot, her opponent who advocated for nuclear disarmament, won, thus saving Britain from a potential nuclear catastrophe. Thatcher, however, remained in power until 1990.

First appearing in Warrior comics, V for Vendetta was interrupted before its story concluded. DC Comics later reprinted the series, including the incomplete issues, and eventually published it as a standalone limited series. The book presents a bleak, British take on the future, where the fascist Norsefire party controls the U.K. with the help of a computer that V secretly manipulates. It also explores themes of anarchism. For four decades, V for Vendetta has been a major influence on comics, particularly in how heroes are portrayed.

The Wachowskis, unlike previous writers who tried to adapt V for Vendetta, were actually fans of the original comic books. However, like all writers, they used the story as a starting point and created their own version of Alan Moore’s powerful tale about fighting fascism. Similar to many political thinkers, their script draws inspiration from anarchism, but doesn’t necessarily advocate for it as a final solution. The film also reimagines the Norsefire government as a reflection of neo-conservatism, a political ideology popular in the late 1990s and 2000s that grew out of the policies of Margaret Thatcher and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Although the film features several themes, one is particularly prominent.

The Most Incendiary Quote From V For Vendetta Goes Back to the American Revolution

V, who wears the Guy Fawkes mask, saves Evey Hammond twice. After the second rescue, he takes her back to his hideout. When she arrives, she finds him still wearing his costume, but he’s traded his hat, cape, and knives for an apron.

He carefully makes her breakfast, using a special, high-quality butter that’s only available to members of the powerful Norsefire group. Evey asks him about his dangerous plan to destroy famous landmarks, wondering if it will actually improve things. Like everyone else living under Norsefire’s rule, she’s frightened of those in charge. He responds:

The powerful shouldn’t fear the people, but the other way around. Governments exist to serve the citizens, not to control them – and they should remember that.

Interest grew among musical fans as the story delved deeper into the events leading up to the American Revolution. While the Revolution is often presented as a simple story, the period before the Declaration of Independence was actually filled with complex and passionate debates.

The most famous line from the movie V for Vendetta is often mistakenly credited to the filmmakers, but it actually comes from the ideas of Thomas Paine, a writer known for his revolutionary spirit. Though Paine didn’t say those exact words, similar thoughts appeared in the writings of Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who were inspired by him. They all shared the belief that a government should fear the people – that’s how you have freedom – and that when the people fear the government, you have tyranny.

The comics V for Vendetta had a significant impact beyond just the world of comics. The activist group Anonymous famously adopted the Guy Fawkes mask, as designed by artist David Lloyd, as a symbol of their collective identity.

The book inspired other protests, and its authors applauded these movements. In 2011, these protests were reflected in the film V for Vendetta, which was based on the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations. Although Moore wasn’t happy with how the movie differed from his original ideas, V for Vendetta by the Wachowskis continues that same tradition of protest and inspiration.

How the Real World Fears Around Fascism Changed Over the Past 20 Years

Fascism is often used as an over-the-top label for right-wing ideas, but what does it actually mean? At its core, fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes national unity and strong government control over society and the economy. It prioritizes the nation – sometimes defined by a specific race – above individual rights and the needs of minority groups.

After the Wachowskis created the film V for Vendetta, critics often used the same harsh language to describe the Bush-Cheney administration’s actions following 9/11. Interestingly, the decline of the Republican party’s traditional conservative leadership has been replaced by a more extreme, nationalistic approach that often ignores established rules and legal principles – a trend seen in today’s G.O.P.

As a movie lover, I’ve been really disturbed by what’s been happening since 2025 when Donald Trump became president. It feels like his administration has been attacking anything that promotes inclusivity, and it’s even extending to how media operates. Specifically, the head of the FCC, Brendan Carr, seems determined to go after networks that host people critical of Trump, which honestly feels like a clear violation of free speech – the First Amendment, you know?

Over the past year, the media has largely seemed afraid to challenge the government, which is concerning in a country that values free speech. It’s a situation that echoes a powerful line from the movie V for Vendetta, suggesting the media should be holding power accountable instead of fearing it.

Both the comic and movie V for Vendetta depict a Britain that has completely shut itself off from the outside world, reserved only for its (primarily white) citizens. Today, in the United States, harsh immigration laws are causing widespread arrests and deportations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Unidentified federal agents, sometimes masked, have been accused of wrongly arresting and deporting American citizens. Their actions, and the way they seem to deliberately flaunt their power, have sparked public anger and contributed to a rise in political violence and a growing sense of fear.

How the V For Vendetta Film’s 20-Year Legacy Elevates It, Along With Alan Moore’s Work

The graphic novel V for Vendetta feels both remarkably ahead of its time and, in some ways, dated. While the Wachowskis, who directed the film adaptation, have a personal connection to these themes, many believe the movie does a better job of addressing LGBTQ+ oppression than the original book. However, Alan Moore, the book’s author, rightly pointed out that the film overemphasizes violence as the core of V’s attempt to show people the fascist nature of their government. The idea that people should hold their governments accountable is important, but the story’s focus on violence doesn’t support targeting individuals.

A key theme in V for Vendetta is its stark warning about the ultimate downfall of fascist regimes. Both the book and the movie show V manipulating fascist leaders, turning them against each other. The film’s ending illustrates this, with Creedy, the head of the secret police, murdering the chancellor in a power grab. While V aims to transform his nation, his violence is specifically directed at those responsible for his own imprisonment and torture.

In the film V for Vendetta, V makes his biggest impact against the ruling fascists through televised broadcasts. First, he takes over the state television channel to explain his attacks on buildings representing government power. Later, Gordon Dietrich delivers a humorous broadcast ridiculing the chancellor. In the original graphic novel, Dietrich is a powerful figure who exploits Evey.

The character in the film is a gay man hiding his sexuality who quietly helps V fight against the oppressive Norsefire government. He is executed by the party shortly after a broadcast mocks the chancellor. The film suggests that the most effective way to combat authoritarian regimes isn’t through violence, but by ridiculing them – by exposing their flaws and making them seem foolish. This idea might explain why figures like Donald Trump continue to demand the firing of comedians like Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night hosts, as they see humor as a threat.

Governments are more afraid of free speech than of violence. In fact, attacks on those who speak out against the government can actually help authoritarian leaders justify increasing their control over people’s lives and freedoms. Attempts to suppress ideas, like those seen in stories such as V for Vendetta or Maus, always ultimately fail.

When a book is banned, it often creates even more interest in reading it. The film emphasizes this by showing that V’s actual identity isn’t important – he symbolizes a powerful idea. And ideas, the film suggests, are something oppressive regimes can’t destroy.

You can find V for Vendetta on DVD, Blu-ray, and through digital retailers. It will also be back in cinemas on November 1st and 5th, 2026.

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2025-11-29 19:25