The first thing we are going to do in order to determine the meaning of the term vile is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can say that it derives from Latin, specifically from the word “vilis”, which can be translated as “of little value” or “despicable”.
This adjective allows you to describe what is mean, ignominious or dishonorable . For example: “In a vile measure, the employer decided to fire all the workers one day before Christmas,” “That is a vile lie! “I never did anything to harm you,” “Since he became president, he has always shown vile behavior.”
The harmful or despicable
The concept is usually used to describe behaviors or actions that are despicable . A terrorist attack that leaves a hundred dead can be classified as a “vile attack,” to cite one possibility. A financial movement carried out by a millionaire to evade taxes, in this sense, can be mentioned as a “vile maneuver” to avoid paying what corresponds to the treasury.
Vile can also be applied to people when they demonstrate behavior or actions that are harmful to others . A man who mistreats animals, pollutes the environment and treats children with contempt can be mentioned as a “vile individual” .
Cruella de Vil
Cruella de Vil , on the other hand, is the name of the villain of “101 Dalmatians” , a novel written by Dodie Smith that had multiple television and film adaptations. Cruella is an evil woman who is obsessed with having coats made from animal skin .
According to the story devised by Smith , Cruella de Vil intends to catch the puppies of Pongo and Perdita , two Dalmatian dogs. Their intention is to create a coat with the dogs' skin. With the help of some criminals, he manages to kidnap the puppies, although his plans are finally thwarted.
This character is considered one of the most emblematic and despicable villains in literature and also in cinema. And we cannot forget that Cruella de Vil was one of the main characters in the different films that have been made around her and the Dalmatians.
Movies with this character
Specifically, among the most significant films in this regard we find the following:
– “101 Dalmatians” . It was the film that the Disney company presented in 1961 with great success, becoming one of the classics of its career.
– “101 Dalmatians II: an adventure in London” . It premiered in 2003 and is considered to be the continuation of the previous one. In it, the perfidious and vile Cruella continues determined to kidnap those dogs in order to get the coat she has always dreamed of.
– “101 Dalmatians on vacation” . It was a 1998 animated film that was not released in theaters, it was released straight to VHS.
– “101 Dalmatians; More alive than ever!” . It is a film with flesh and blood actors, not cartoons. It dates back to 1996 and was made by Disney, which cast the great actress Glenn Close as the perfect Cruella de Vil. He also played this role and reprized it in the sequel “102 Dalmatians.”