V for Vendetta sequence analysis

V for Vendetta is a drama film, following the story of V, a freedom fighter who draws inspiration from Guy Fawkes and attempts to take down a tyrannical government power. In the final fight sequence of the film, V solidifies his actions against the government officials. 

A long shot at eye-level, depicts V, surrounded by men with guns led by Inspector Creedy in a low-key underground location. The mise-en-scène of the armed men facing V shows the harsh probability of V’s fate and that he is clearly outnumbered. The low-key lighting creates an uneasy and sinister atmosphere, and the torches being pointed at V is the only light, other than small amounts of natural light, in the scene which represents V’s strength and foreshadows his victory. The mask V wears contrasts to the dark background and suggests a sense of hope for him. 

As Creedy and V exchange words, cuts are used to transition the focus from one to another, but while Creedy is captured with mid-shots, V is portrayed all the while by long shots, showing his whole body and giving him an air of superiority over Creedy, representing his importance. The non-diegetic sound of eerie music plays quietly in the background in the lead up to the men attempting to remove V’s mask which creates a growing suspense and as the men grow closer to V, the lighting becomes much more prominent on his face, emphasising his power of these men, which is then shown when the camera quickly cuts to a close-up of him disarming them and swiftly killing them. 

After his first murder, the camera quickly tilts from V’s midsection to his face, showing authority and the camera cuts to the other men backing away. The scene falls into an almost dead silence to signify the realisation of the other men, facing something they certainly weren’t expecting. The diegetic sounds of the mens’ footsteps as they regain their footing displays their nervousness and unease. Contrarily, the soundtrack is then sped up and the volume is increased, which is almost a representation of V’s actions and thoughts and his willingness to make his next move. 

The sequence then silences again, only the sounds of simultaneous gunfire able to be heard to convey the rage and anger of the government again the terrorist V. The short bursts of light emitted from the guns momentarily light up the room and the men gain almost a glimmer of hope. This is soon crushed when an extreme close up zooms in on V’s mask, the only light in the frame against the dark background, still representing his power over the others and the diegetic sound of his breathing, proof that he is still alive. 

He murders every man, beside from Creedy by using his knives, which are tracked by the camera in slow motion to show the heavy implication they’re about to have on the scene, and then holds Creedy by his throat against a gate. A low angle is used, aimed at Creedy ironically, suggesting he should be more powerful than he is, but then the camera cuts to a close-up of his feet dangling off of the ground, showing desperation and a clear inferiority to V. The scene ends with a shot of V standing behind the gate, symbolising his one last barrier that must be cleared before he can complete his uprising.