3.9 V for Vendetta and the Power of an Idea

In dystopian literature, a common trope is the idea of the struggle against control in society, generally carried out by a corrupt government. Through the use of two types of cinematography techniques, soundtrack and montage, V for Vendetta director, James McTeigue, is able to present to the viewer the impact of a single person and how an idea can change the world. This film tells the story of V, a masked freedom fighter who openly rejects all forms of conformity and societal constraints by committing a series of public attacks in order to create a fair and just society. James McTeigue portrays ‘the power of an idea’ through the soundtrack and montage in both the Domino scene and the Fight scene, which reveal to the viewer how an individual’s actions can create the momentum for change within a corrupt society.

The first of these two scenes which establish a clear insight into V’s intentions and plans is the Domino scene. James McTeigue cleverly employs the use of soundtrack and montage in this scene to exhibit V’s masterplan. The scene opens with V placing down a red domino as Guy Fawkes masks are delivered across the city. “So far we count eight box cars. Several hundred thousand, at least.” Eric Finch, a British police officer is distressed upon hearing this news. This is stemmed from the realisation that there has been a shift in power within the totalitarian society they are upholding. This ties back to a quote by V earlier in the film, ‘People should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of their people.’ Montage is one of the key cinematography techniques that make this scene an integral part of the film. Montage sequences are often used in films to heighten tension within a scene whilst broadcasting crucial information to the viewer. McTeigue utilizes the cinematography technique montage to convey to the audience the power a group of people hold when fighting for the same idea. Detective Eric Finch initiates the montage through the reveal of his visit to Lark Hill, an abandoned experimental testing-facility.

‘I suddenly got this feeling that everything was connected. A perfect pattern laid out in front of me. And I realised we’re all trapped by it.

This dialogue plays over the montage as images of civilians being shot and people rioting against their government come into view. McTeigue layers Finch’s voiceover on top of the thumping rhythm of drums and suspenseful violins. “One long chain of events that stretched all the way back before Larkhill.” Throughout this, V continues to place dominos one by one, as if the dominos symbolise the workings of his plan coming together, unifying. Finch continues to speak as the people of London rebelling against their society and shots from the Fight scene appear in quick succession. Sparking sounds from a bomb tie into the montage of V’s dominos that continue to build up. The soundtrack and montage come to a climax with the chime of a bell.

Dominic: “So do you know what’s gonna happen?“

Inspector Finch “No. It was a feeling. With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid..”

A prolonged silence rings out as V reaches a gloved hand towards the long line of red dominos. Suspense is created in this scene as a single note is held. With a slight flick, the first domino topples and thus begins the rapid fall of the corrupt society he and many others are trapped by. McTeigue uses this scene as a metaphor for V’s plan finally falling into place. As an audience, we are positioned reflect on our own power, and how we are much more than the body we are in. McTeigue uses the dominos as a metaphor for the crumbling regime that is the corrupt British government. Using the suspenseful music intertwined with the rapid montage and Finch’s dialogue, McTeigue drives the film to a significant climax in which V’s idea of change is clarified. In a world where the themes of corrupt power, over-surveillance and rebellion that are presented in the film are prevalent, the message McTeigue is trying to portray to the audience is all the more significant. Throughout this scene, James McTeigue is sending a message to the viewer about conformity and how change within a society can happen through numbers. When one person stands up for what they believe in, it is easier for the next person and the next, to do the same. This ties back in with the idea of the ‘domino effect’ through the way in which word-of-mouth and strength in numbers can create the momentum for change. In this day and age with so many real-world controversies occurring presently, the need for people to stand up for what is right becomes so much more valuable.

The second key scene that McTeigue weaves the ‘power of an idea’ into is the Fight scene. In this, McTeigue puts a strong emphasis on the influence of an individual and how an idea with enough traction will survive the death of the individual who formed it. The scene takes place in an underground structure where V intends to meet Creedy and let the last pieces of his plan fall into place. The High Chancellors execution is carried out by Creedy as his men surround V with loaded guns. In exchange for Sutler’s death, V has offered to surrender. “It’s time to take a look at your face. Take off your mask.” V refuses to remove the mask as the suspenseful violin-oriented soundtrack slows, to which Creedy responds “Defiant until the end, huh? You’re not afraid of death.” This exchange strengthens the theme of how an idea does not need a face or a name, only the support of those who believe in it.

V: ‘You have bullets and the hope that when your guns are empty, I’m no longer standing because if I am you’ll all be dead before you’ve reloaded.’

Creedy: ‘That’s impossible. Kill him.’

An array of bullets shoot towards V in quick succession. Creedy’s men are relentless and think of nothing else but V’s eventual death. The soundtrack of bullets firing and guns cocking reinforces the notion of disarray and the desperation Creedy feels as the regime he so desperately wants to uphold, beings to fall. V, despite the rapid gunfire, remains standing and jumps into action, killing all the men with a series of well-executed knife throws and displays a high level of skill whilst doing so. This scene is played out through a montage and highlights V’s determination and strength while also building up to the climax of the film. Fast-paced (allegro) violin and cello music creates an intense atmosphere within the scene which instils anticipation within the viewer. The montage ends with a final knife throw to the head of the last man standing and the sound of a body thudding to the ground. Creedy is left unarmed and defenceless and in the moments before his death, V whispers a final quote.

V- “Beneath this mask, there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask, there is an idea Mr Creedy and ideas are bulletproof.”

The Fight scene ends with V dropping a shot-through bulletproof vest as the clang of metal reverberates around the courtyard. McTeigue recognises the fact that ideas are much more than a facade, an outside image, and reinforces the notion that society judges and forms opinions over visual characteristics, portrayed through Creedy wanting V to remove his mask. An idea is something that can manifest through the oppression of a group within a society, and when this idea is acted upon and put into motion, significant change can be achieved. Through this scene, the viewer is able to finally grasp the change that is being made in the totalitarian society and how the support of the public has made this possible.

In ‘V for Vendetta’, James McTeigue clearly emphasises his intention throughout the two scenes and stresses the importance of an individuals ideas. The ‘power of an idea’ is broadcasted to us through the Domino scene and the Fight scene, in which cinematography techniques Montage and Soundtrack reinforce the director’s intention. The idea of being in control of your individual influence is what McTeigue utilizes to bring the viewers to the realisation that no society or government can be improved without first having an idea, a spark of change. As more controversies are being created by world leaders that affect more than just their country, the message that James McTeigue is portraying throughout V for Vendetta becomes all the more relevant to the current state of the world. A group that supports one idea holds enough power to create a tsunami of change, in the same way V’s idea started the downfall of the corrupt regime that bound the citizens of London. The events of the Domino scene and the Fight scene inform the viewer that one idea, with enough traction and support, can change the world for the better.