Memorable Quotes From V For Vendetta

Memorable Quotes from V for Vendetta (2005) V: What was done to me was monstrous. Evey Hammond: Then, they created a monster. V: Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security, the familiar, the tranquility, repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the annunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance, and depression. And where once you had the freedom to object, think, and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillence coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myraid of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot. V: [Evey pulls out her mace] I can assure you I mean you no harm. Evey Hammond: Who are you? V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask. Evey Hammond: Well I can see that. Evey Hammond: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. Evey Hammond: Who? Who are you? V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more

commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona. V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. [carves V into wall] V: The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. [giggles] V: Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V. Evey Hammond: Are you like a crazy person? V: I'm quite sure they will say so. Sutler: [actor on Deitrich's show] Ah! Warm milk, there's nothing better. Gordon Deitrich: I understand you enjoy a glass everynight, chancellor. Sutler: [the real chancellor watches, holding a glass of milk] Since I was a boy. Sutler: Gentlemen, I want this terrorist found... and I want him to understand what terror really means. Evey Hammond: [after V leads Evey up to an empty rooftop, promising her an orchestra] I don't see any instruments. V: Your powers of observation continue to serve you well. V: A penny for a Guy? Delia Surridge: [Her last lines] Is it too late to ask for forgiveness? V: Never. Delia Surridge: I'm sorry. Valerie: I remember how the meaning of words began to change. How unfamiliar words like "collateral" and "rendition" became frightening, while things like Norsefire and the Articles of Allegiance became powerful. I remember how "diffrent" became dangerous. I still don't understand it, why they hate us so much. Valerie: But Americas war grew worse and worse and eventually it came to London. After that there were no roses anymore. Not for anyone. Valerie: They took Ruth while she was out buying food. I've never cried so hard in my life. It wasn't long till they came for me. Delia Surridge: [V gives her a rose] Am I going to die? V: You're already dead. V: [shows her hypodermic needle] V: I killed you 10 minutes ago. Delia Surridge: Is there any pain? V: No. Delia Surridge: Thank you. Gordon Deitrich: [to Evey] Like I said, if the government searched my house you'd be the least of my problems.

Finch: Why are you doing this? Evey Hammond: Because he was right. Finch: About what? Evey Hammond: That the world needs more than just a building right now. It needs hope. Evey Hammond: Remember, remember, the Fifth of November,/ The Gunpowder Treason and Plot... / I know of no reason/ Why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot... But what of the man? I know his name was Guy Fawkes and I know, in his 1605, he attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. But who was he really? What was he like? We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgotten, but 400 years later, an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed first hand the power of ideas, I've seen people kill in the name of them, and die defending them... but you cannot kiss an idea, cannot touch it, or hold it... ideas do not bleed, they do not feel pain, they do not love... And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man... A man that made me remember the Fifth of November. A man that I will never forget. V: [Quoting Polonius from Shakespeare's Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1] We are oft to blame in this, - / 'Tis too much proved - that with devotion's visage/ And pious action we do sugar o'er/ The devil himself. Sutler: [shouts] We are being buried under the avalanche of your inadequacies, Mr. Creedy! V: May I enquire as to how you have avoided detection? Evey Hammond: A fake ID works better then a Guy Fawkes mask. V: At last, we finally meet. I have something for you, Chancellor; a farewell gift. For all the things you've done, for all that you might've done, and for the only thing you have left. [V places a scarlet carson on Sutler's lapel] V: Good-bye, Chancellor. Creedy: [leveling his pistol at Sutler's head] Disgusting. [Creedy shoots Sutler] V: Violence can be used for good. Evey Hammond: What are you talking about? V: Justice. Evey Hammond: [reads] Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: [translates] By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe. Evey Hammond: Personal motto? V: From "Faust". Evey Hammond: That's about cheating the devil, isn't it? V: It is. V: But again, if truth be told... if you are looking for the guilty, you need only look in the mirror. Finch: Dominic, I want to ask you something. I don't care if you answer. I just want to say this aloud. And I need to know that this question will not leave this office. Dominic: Of course - because of the terrorist. Finch: No. It's about St. Mary's... and Three Waters. The question I want to ask is 'what if

the greatest biological attack on our country was not the work of religious extremists?' Dominic: But we know that it was. They were arrested - they confessed! Finch: And they were executed, I know. And maybe that's really what happened, but what if it were someone else. What if someone else released that virus. What if someone else were responsible for all those deaths. Would you want to know who it was? Dominic: Yes. Finch: Even if it was someone working for our own government? That's the question I want to ask you. If our own government was behind St. Mary's and Three Waters... If our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred thousand people... Would you really want to know? [Finch looks out his window on the morning of November 4] Finch: Tonight's your big night. Are you ready for it?... Are we ready for it? Finch: The problem is, he knows us better than we know ourselves. That's why I went to Larkhill, last night. Dominic: That site is on quarantine. Finch: I had to see it. There wasn't much left. But when I was there it was strange. I suddenly had this feeling that everything was connected. It's like I could see the whole thing, one long chain of events that stretched all the way back before Larkhill. I felt like I could see everything that happened, and everything that is going to happen. It was like a perfect pattern, laid out in front of me. And I realised we're all part of it, and all trapped by it. Dominic: So do you know what's gonna happen? Finch: No, it was a feeling. But I can guess. With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty. And then Sutler will be forced to do the only thing he know how to do. At which point, all V needs to do is keep his word. And then... [Dominoes collapse with TV footages showing conflicts between rioting citizens and the anti-riot police] Evey Hammond: Is everything a joke to you, Gordon? Gordon Deitrich: Only the things that matter. Delia Surridge: [V gives her a rose] Are you going to kill me now? V: I killed you 10 minutes ago. V: [shows her hypodermic needle] V: I injected you while you were asleep. Delia Surridge: Is there any pain? V: No. Delia Surridge: Thank you. [dies] Evey Hammond: [takes a bite of the breakfast V cooked] Oh my God, real butter! I haven't had real butter since I was a kid! Where'd you get it? V: It was on a personal train of supplies on its way to a Mr. Adam Sutler. Evey Hammond: You stole this then? Gordon Deitrich: I am V. At last you know the truth. You're stunned, I know. It's hard to believe, isn't it, that beneath this wrinkled, well-fed exterior there lies a dangerous killing machine with a fetish for Fawkesian masks. Vive la revolution! Evey Hammond: That is not funny, Gordon.

Gordon Deitrich: You wear a mask for so long, you forget who you were beneath it. Valerie: I know there's no way I can convince you this is not one of their tricks, but I don't care. I am me. My name is Valerie. I don't think I'll live much longer, and I wanted to tell someone about my life. This is the only autobiography that I will ever write and God, I'm writing it on toilet paper. I was born in Nottingham in 1985. I don't remember much of those early years, but I do remember the rain. My grandmother owned a farm in Tottle Brook and she used to tell me God was in the rain. I passed my 11 Plus and went to girls' grammar. It was at school that I met my first girlfriend. Her name was Sarah. It was her wrists. They were beautiful. I thought we would love each other forever. I remember our teacher telling us that it was an adolescent phase that people outgrew. Sarah did. I didn't. In 2002, I fell in love with a girl named Christina. That year I came out to my parents. I couldn't have done it without Chris holding my hand. My father wouldn't look at me. He told me to go and never come back. My mother said nothing. But I'd only told them the truth. Was that so selfish? Our integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have. It is the very last inch of us. But within that inch we are free. I'd always known what I wanted to do with my life and in 2015 I starred in my first film, The Salt Flats. It was the most important role of my life. Not because of my career, but beacuse that was how I met Ruth. THe first time we kissed I knew I never wanted to kiss any other lips but hers again. We moved to a small flat in London together. She grew Scarlet Carsons for me in our window box and out place always smelt of roses. Those were the best years of my life. Security Guard: [V walks into the lobby of the BTN] Hey, you show me some ID or I'll get Storm Saxon on your ass! V: [V opens his coat, revealing a large ammount of explosions and a detonator in his hand] Security Guard: ...Fucking hell. V: ...A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, blowing up a building can change the world. [Prothero is showering, while watching his own television rant about the terrorist V] Lewis Prothero: [on television] You know what I wish? I wish I had been there! Just one chance at a face-to-face, that's all I'd need! [V breaks into Prothero's home] Evey Hammond: [voiceover, introduction] We are told to remember the idea, not the man. Because a man can fail. He can becaught, he can be killed and forgotten. But four hundred years later an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed firsthand the power of ideas. I've seen people kill in the name of them; and die defending them. But you cannot touch an idea, cannot hold it or kiss it. An idea does not bleed, it cannot feel pain, and it does not love. And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man. A man who made me remember the fifth of November. A man I will never forget. Dominic: What do you think's going to happen? Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people *with* guns. Dascomb: Do you have any idea how long it would take to rebuild this facility? Finch: Do you have any idea what you're doing? V: [Disguised as William Rookwood, meeting with Inspector Finch] Our story begins, as stories often do, with a young up-and-coming politician. He's a deeply religious man, a

member of the conservative party. He is of single-minded convictions and has little respect for the political process. He arranges for a special project at Larkhill in the interest of 'national security'. At first, it is believed to be a search for biological weapons for which cost is no object. But the real purpose behind the project is power, total agamonic domination. The project, however, ends violently... but not in vain, for a new way to wage war is discovered from the blood of their victims. Imagine a virus - imagine the worst kind of disease you can think of, and then imagine that you and you alone have the cure. How best to use such a weapon? It is at this point in our story that along comes a spider. He is a man who seems to have no conscience; for him, the ends always justify the means. It is he who suggests that the weapon be used not against an enemy of the country but rather the country itself. Three targets are chosen to maximize the impact of the attack: a school, a hospital, and a water-treatment plant. Several die within the first few weeks. Thousands more die in the following months. And at last the true purpose of their plan comes into view. Before the attack on St. Mary's, no one would have predicted the outcome of the elections. No one. But after the election, lo and behold, a miracle. Some believed that it was an act of God himself, or that a pharmaceuctical company owned by one of the party members made them all insanely rich. But the real genius of their plan was the fear. Fear became the ultimate tool of this government. Not long after, a group of religious extremeists are captured, tried, and executed while a memorial is erected to canonize their victims. And our young politician is soon elected to the newly appointed position of High Chancellor. The rest, as they say, is history. Finch: Can you prove any of this? V: Why do you think I'm still alive? Finch: Right. We'd like to take you into protective custody. V: Oh, I'm sure you would. But if you want that recording, you'll do exactly as I say. Put Creedy under 24 hour surveillance. When I feel safe that he can't pick his nose without you knowing, I'll contact you again. Until then, cheerio. Finch: Rookwood. Why didn't you come forward earlier? What were you waiting for? V: For you, Inspector. Because I needed you. Evey Hammond: My father was a writer. You would've liked him. He used to say that artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use them to cover it up. V: A man after my own heart. V: [during his BTN broadcast] Today, however, is a day, sadly, no longer remembered. So, I thought we could mark this November the 5th by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. Of course, there are those who do not want us to speak. I suspect, even now, orders are being shouted into telephones and men with guns are racing to this station. But regardless of what weapns they try to use to effect silence, words will always retain their power. Words are the means to meaning, and for some, the annunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country. Creedy: [V has just made a deal with Creedy] Why should I trust you? V: Because it's the only way you're ever going to stop me! [last lines] Evey Hammond: Everyone remembers what happened that night and what it meant for this country. But I will always remember the man and what he meant to me.

Valerie: I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish, every inch but one. An inch, it is small and it is fragile, and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away; we must never let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape this place. I hope that the world turns and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you. V: The time has come for me to meet my maker and to repay him in kind for all that he has done. V: This may be the most important moment of your life... commit to it. V: [Quoting Macbeth from Macbeth Act I Scene 7] I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. V: [Quoting Viola from Twelfth Night Act I Scene 2] Conceal me what I am, and be my aid For such disguise as haply shall become The form of my intent. V: I, like God, do not play with dice and do not believe in coincidence. Evey Hammond: I can't feel *anything* anymore! Lewis Prothero: Strength through unity! Unity through faith! Lewis Prothero: [shouting] England prevails because *I* say it does! Evey Hammond: Does it have a happy ending? V: As only celluloid can deliver. V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. [carves V into wall] V: The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. [giggles] V: Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V. Evey Hammond: Are you like a crazy person? V: I'm quite sure they will say so. [after a hail of gunfire doesn't stop V] Creedy: Die! Die! Why won't you die?... Why won't you die? V: Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof. Valerie: It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses, and apologized to no one. V: And thus I clothe my naked villainy / With old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ/And seem a saint when most I play the devil. [quoting Shakespeare's Richard III, Act I Scene 3] Creedy: Defiant until the end, huh? You won't cry like him, will you? You're not afraid of death. You're like me.

V: The only thing that you and I have in common, Mr. Creedy, is that we're both about to die. Creedy: How do you imagine that's gonna happen? V: With my hands around your neck. Creedy: Bollocks. Whatchya gonna do, huh? We've swept this place. You've got nothing. Nothing but your bloody knives and your fancy karate gimmicks. We have guns. V: No, what you've have are bullets, and the hope that when your guns are empty I will no longer be standing, because if I am you will all be dead before you've reloaded. Creedy: That's impossible. Kill him. [the fingermen open fire on V, but he still stands after their clips are empty] V: My turn. Evey Hammond: Who are you? V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask. Evey Hammond: Well I can see that. V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. Lewis Prothero: Oh my God... it is you! V: The Ghost of Christmas past. BTN News Poppet: Now, this is only an initial report, but at this time, it's believed that during this heroic raid, the terrorist was shot and killed. Little Glasses Girl: Bollocks. Lilliman: Oh please, have mercy! V: Oh, not tonight Bishop... not tonight! V: There's no certainty - only opportunity. Evey Hammond: My father was a writer. You would've liked him. He used to say that artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up. Creedy: Now that's done with, it's time to have a look at your face. Take off your mask. V: No. V: Would you... dance with me? Evey Hammond: Now? On the eve of your revolution? V: A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having! Finch: One thing is true of all governments - their most reliable records are tax records. Evey Hammond: God is in the rain... Evey Hammond: Tell me... do you like music, Mr. Finch? Finch: Who was he? Evey Hammond: He was Edmond Dantés... and he was my father. And my mother... my brother... my friend. He was you... and me. He was all of us. Interrogator: Do you know why you're here, Evey Hammond? Evey Hammond: Don't please. Interrogator: You've been formally charged with three counts of murder, the bombing of government property, conspiracy to commit terrorism, treason, and sedition. The penalty for which is death by firing squad. You have one chance and only one chance to save your life. You must tell us the identity or whereabouts of codename V. If your information leads to his capture, you will be released from this facility immediately. Do you

understand what I'm telling you? You can return to your life, Miss Hammond. All you have to do is cooperate. Interrogator: Process her. Little Glasses Girl: [camera follows many BFC trucks delivering packages to front doors all over London] I'll get it. BFC courier: [at Finch's door] Eric Finch? Finch: Yeah. Finch: [opens box: One of V's Guy Fawkes masks is inside, along with a spare costume] Bloody hell... Finch: [at police HQ] How many went out? Sutler: So far we count eight box cars: several hundred *thousand* at least. Finch: Christ. Sutler: [cut to shot of little girl playing in street wearing V's costume] I want anyone caught with one of those masks arrested! Convenience Store V: [man wearing a V mask is robbing a convenience store] Give me the money! Give me the fucking money! Dominic: [police HQ: all phones are ringing off the hook] We're under siege here, the whole city's gone mad! Finch: [dawning realization] This is exactly what he wants. Dominic: What? Convenience Store V: Anarchy in the UK! [fires gun into air] Finch: Chaos. Delia Surridge: Are you going to kill me now? V: I killed you ten minutes ago... while you slept. Delia Surridge: Is there any pain? V: No. Delia Surridge: Thank you. Is it meaningless to apologize? V: Never. Delia Surridge: I'm so sorry. V: And now, for the crescendo! [explosion and fireworks go off] Lewis Prothero: England Prevails! Evey Hammond: I can't stay here. V: Yes, I know. You won't find any more locked doors here. V: There are no coincidences, Delia... only the illusion of coincidence. V: No, what you have are 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. V: The only verdict is vengeance, a vendetta, held as a votive not in vain. Evey Hammond: I don't want you to die. V: That's the most beautiful thing you could have ever given me. Tweed Coat Fingerman: By sun-up if you're not the sorriest piece of ass in all'a London... then you'll certainly be the sorest! V: It will be like nothing you have ever seen. V: It is to Madame Justice that I dedicate this concerto.

Sutler: Gentlemen, I want this terrorist found... and I want him to understand what *terror* really means. V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people. V: Fear became the ultimate tool of this government. Sutler: I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want everyone to remember *why* they need us! Finch: If our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred thousand people... would you really want to know? Evey Hammond: I wish I wasn't afraid *all* the time, but... I *am*. Sutler: What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio, seen on every television... I want *everyone* to *remember*, why they *need* us! V: Certainly there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. V: [V interrupts the three policemen about to rape Evey, whips out a dagger, and quoting the sergeant from Macbeth Act I Scene 2] "The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him [skips 4 lines from the original Shakespeare] V: disdaining fortune/with his brandish'd steel, which smoked with bloody execution..." Evey Hammond: Where did you get all this stuff? V: Oh, here and there, mostly from the Ministry of Objectionable Materials. Evey Hammond: You stole them? V: Oh, heavens, no. Stealing imples ownership. You can't steal from the censor; I merely reclaimed them. Evey Hammond: God, if they ever find this place... V: I suspect if they do find this place, a few bits of art will be the least of my worries. Evey Hammond: I can't believe you watch that shit. Fred: What? Laser Lass is bangin'. [as V enters the TV station] Fred: You show me ID, or I'll get Storm Saxon on your ass. [opens up his coat and shows a bomb strapped to him] Fred: Fucking hell