Vendettas, screenplays and 1984

2007-09-16 09:41:00

A few screens from 1984 and V.

You know, I'd swear I'd written about V for Vendetta before. I bought and devoured the comic book a few months ago. I loved it, though I have to admit that it wasn't the easiest read ever. I saw very strong ties with 1984, likening the storyline to what could've happened to Brittain if folks like Winston had stood up for themselves.

Last Friday we bought a few more DVDs and I finally picked up V for Vendetta as well. It's been a long time in coming, with my brother nagging me about it :D

Before I comment on anything related to the screenplay, let me say that it was a stroke of genius casting to get John Hurt to play the role of Adam Sutler. John Hurt of course played Winston in the movie rendition of 1984, giving a striking portrayal of one of Oceania's oppressed citizens. Imagine my surprise to see one of Big Brother's oppressed assuming the character of his own Big Brother! In a further stroke of irony, that cannot have been anything but intended, both Winston's and Adam's final, climactic scenes share many similarities. I'd almost expected Adam to cry out: Do it to her! Do it to Julia! Don't do it to me!.

Which actually refreshes my mind some more! Was it in 1984 that there was a first mention of that final inch that they will never be able to take? Or was it in V and am I imagining things?

Now... The screenplay adaption of V contained many dissimilarities when compared to the comic book. Many of these changes were functional and an almost entirely new story was forged. I enjoyed this new story quite a lot and think that the author(s) did a great job. The only thing that vexes me is the humanization of the character V towards the end. V was always intended to be the personification of an idea. Breaking that down, if only a little, to fit in the oh-so-required love scene detracts from the original story.

All in all, V for Vendetta is a great book and was made into a great movie! It gives one food for thought, as do other, similar books. Knowing that stories like these can still be written and heard gives one a little hope for humanity. Knowing that there are still people out there, smart enough to be critical of their government and to propagate said ideas.

Then again, it may all be a ruse by them to lull us into a false sense of security, or of empowerment. ;)


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