4. The Head Of Norsefire Is In Love With His Computer - V For Vendetta)
V for Vendetta has England being lead by a fascist government group called Norsefire. The leader of this group in the film is High Chancellor Adam Sutler, played by legendary actor John Hurt. Hurt snarls and spits venom throughout the role, turning Sutler into a fiery leader who is obviously not to be messed with. The irony of this is that Hurt played protagonist Winston Smith in the film version of 1984; a book that had a huge influence on V for Vendetta, with Winston being the poor worker trying to rebel against a corrupt totalitarian government. In the graphic novel, the leader (or "head") of Norsefire is Adam Susan; a cold, reclusive government leader who thinks that England's only chance of survival is to conform to the iron will of fascism. He believes that personal freedoms are dangerous and unnecessary, and is a strong supporter of "racial purity." His quiet, composed nature makes him a stark contrast to Hurt's Sutler, but it is his relationship with Norsefire's "Fate" computer system that really sets the character apart. Susan believes that he and God (ie: Fate) are the only truly "real" beings in existence. As the novel progresses we see Susan becoming more and more endeared with Fate. He sees the computer system as the perfect example of fascism; an emotionless, impassive construct that simply lets him know what is right without sentiment getting in the way. When V discovers this, however, he hacks into fate and begins to manipulate Susan via mind games. As a consequence, Susan - who's feelings for Fate begin to turn weirdly sexual - starts to descend into madness, and is eventually murdered by Norsefire's security minister, Peter Creedy.