Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Spoiler-free premise
In a totalitarian future Britain, a masked rebel draws a young woman into his campaign against the state.
Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free+
In a Britain ruled by the fascist Norsefire party, masked insurgent V rescues television employee Evey Hammond and announces a campaign culminating on November fifth. Secret police pursuit connects V's targets to the regime's buried history.
Why it belongs
James McTeigue gives political iconography pop force through mask, voice, architecture, montage, and Portman's Evey learning the cost of resistance.
Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case+
The Guy Fawkes mask, Shadow Gallery, television screens, dominoes, government broadcasts, knives, and Tchaikovsky's overture make rebellion theatrical and reproducible. Hugo Weaving creates presence without a visible face.
Major award wins
No verified wins in this six-institution crosswalk.
Awards are reference metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Institutional reference ranks
Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250173AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score
Great Cinema Master List scores
Greatness8.2
Engagement8.6
Ease8.5
English · R Narrative Feature Mood: Tense & Absorbing
