V for Velvety Smooth

Play it: Rssmbld Sndtrck - V For Vendetta

V For Vendetta comes out on DVD today, and to mark the occasion, I've compiled most the music that appeared in the film (not just in the released soundtrack.) When I saw the movie recently (plane ride back from Europe) it struck me that much of the music was awfully smooth for a story of a 'freedom fighter' (in the graphic novel, the hero was an anarchist.) Julie London, Stan Getz/Jao Gilberto, and velvet-y tracks from Cat Power, Richard Hawley, Antony & The Johnsons and Spiritualized. Of course, in between those is the occasional fireworks (Zakk Wylde & the Black Label Society, and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

I was a bit ignorant to the history of Guy Fawkes until I read the graphic novel last year, but I was surprised that more wasn't made to allude to his place in the story. Guy Fawkes led a group of Roman Catholic conspirators who attempted to carry out the Gunpowder Plot on November 5, 1605. They would be considered terrorists today, I imagine, except their end game was to set up a Roman Catholic Monarchy for England. The mask used by 'V' is of Guy Fawkes face, and I can't imagine the general US public is aware of it's significance. On November 5th many people celebrate Guy Fawkes night with a bonfire and celebration, and dummies of Fawkes are burned to celebrate his capture. One of the songs sung goes like this:

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

tags: playlist, soundtrack, film, movie, v for vendetta, guy fawkes, cat power