“Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot….”
is how the opening scene of V for Vendetta (2006) starts. This film is a remake of the Gunpowder Plot in a futuristic dystopian England.
For those of you unfamiliar with the real Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes in 1605, I’ll just give you a short summary. Five men (Rovert Catesby, Thomas Winter, Thomas Percy, John Wright and Guy Fawkes) plotted against the Parliament, King James I, his queen, and oldest son for King James’ refusal to grant more religious tolerance to Roman Catholics. The five men planned to collect barrels of gunpowder and place them right under the palace of Westminster, which they hoped would explode during a Parliament meeting on, you guessed it, November 5th. Guy Fawkes was captured and tortured before the plot even had a chance to take off. Now November 5th is known as Guy Fawkes Day and is celebrated with bonfires, fireworks, and the carrying of “guys” through the streets. Children also celebrate this day by carrying their “guys” and asking people as they walk by for “a penny for the guy.”
As always, a short trailer is included for your viewing pleasure.