Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and adapted by the Wachowski brothers, futuristic thriller V For Vendetta boasts some impressive credentials. On the whole it was warmly received by critics and moviegoers for daring to "provoke thought" about the machinations of government. Still, many Moore devotees came away feeling it didn't do justice to the complex source material.

Power To The People

James McTeigue was hired by the Wachowski brothers to direct the film after serving as an assistant director on The Matrix trilogy. He reflects on this sudden rise in status in a 'Making Of' featurette, but there isn't too much time to discuss the thorny process of development in a mere 15 minutes. Producer Joel Silver says only that the Wachowskis penned the first draft in the early 90s and that it was "very dense" in comparison to the final version. True to form, the camera-shy brothers don't appear for comment and there's no contribution from Alan Moore either.

Calling For Action

Instead of practical insights into the process bringing this story to the screen, there's much talk about the way it resonates in the post 9/11 climate. Star Natalie Portman draws parallels between her own character - who "lives through fear" - and the current paranoia about terrorism that threatens to erode basic civil liberties. McTeigue says in no uncertain terms that, "It's a political thriller first and foremost", while supporting player John Hurt dubs it "Nineteen Eighty-Four meets Alien". Stephen Fry (who plays Gordon Dietrich) asks people to think deeply about the causes of terrorism, asserting that, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".

Certainly this discussion puts V For Vendetta in the context of its day, but if you want to know the secrets behind those flashy set pieces or indeed anything about the day-to-day business of bringing a graphic novel to life in the cinema, you will be disappointed. (V for 'Very'.)

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