‘Devastated’ Michael Jackson Tried To Destroy Thriller Video

Forty years later, it remains one of the most iconic and influential videos of all time, from the red leather jacket to the werewolf transformation and, of course, that zombie shrug. The album Thriller reached number one on the US charts on February 26, 1983, and broke records by logging 37 (non-consecutive) weeks at the top through April 14, 1984. It included numerous hit singles, including Beat It, Billie Jean and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, but the latest, Thriller, entered pop culture history thanks to its extraordinary accompanying short film.

Running at nearly 14 minutes, the video for Thriller is a playful pastiche horror homage to veteran director John Landis, created expressly following Jackson’s most cherished wishes. However, he eventually left him barricaded in his room at his house, crying and mangled on the floor until the door broke.

Landis then revealed the behind-the-scenes dramas and another request from Michael that he had to deny. The Hollywood director’s involvement in a music video makes sense since he directed the big-screen musical film Blue Brothers in 1980. But it was his next project, 1981’s An American Werewolf in London, that caught Jackson’s attention and led to to a historic collaboration that gave MJ everything he dreamed of and shattered his world.

Landis later said: “He was fascinated by metamorphosis, by transformation. He really wanted to become a monster, that was his wish, he loved it… He wanted to become a werewolf on all fours, but I told him, ‘ Mike, if you’re going to dance, it’s going to be hard on four feet.’ We settled on a two-legged werewolf.”

What followed was the most ambitious and expensive music video ever made at the time, still regarded as a masterpiece today but hardly ever seeing the light of day.

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Emotion was high throughout the shoot, with big stars like Marlon Brando, Jackie Kennedy and Fred Astaire visiting the set. When it was finished, MTV was planning a major promotional campaign, while the world premiere was set for November 14, 1983, in front of a packed audience of celebrities, including Diana Ross and Eddie Murphy.

But then disaster struck. Michael was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and was viciously attacked by church leaders over the subject of the video.

Lawyer for the stars, John Branca, revealed that Jackson called him and demanded that all negatives be destroyed: “He said Jehovah’s Witnesses heard he was making a werewolf video. They told him he was promoting demonology and they were going to kill him.” to excommunicate”.

Everyone agreed that the negatives needed to be protected, so they were removed from the labs and locked up in Branca’s office.

Meanwhile, the distraught star had locked herself in her bedroom. He was devoted to his church, as is well known, he would even walk out the door in a hat and fake mustache as a canvas for new converts, but he also deeply loved the Thriller video he had helped create.

Jackson’s security chief, Bill Bray, called Landis concerned about his charge, who hadn’t eaten for days. The director described the sad and broken man he met when he arrived at Jackson’s Encino estate, Hayvenhurst House.

Landis said, “Bill and I kicked the door in, kicked it down, and Michael was laying there. He said, ‘I feel so bad.'” I said, ‘Michael, have you eaten?’ He hadn’t eaten. It was weird. I just said, ‘Look, I want you to see a doctor right now. ”

The next day, Landis returned to see the star to tell him that the Thriller negatives had not been destroyed. The director described how the star was completely at odds with the project, torn between two things he loved: “(Michael said) ‘I’m sorry, John. I’m ashamed’.

“I said, Michael, I wouldn’t let them destroy it. He said, ‘Really? Because I think he’s really good.’ I’m like, ‘Michael, he’s great and you’re great.'”

Even so, MJ hid in the projectionist’s booth at the premiere and refused to come out, even as the cheering crowd, including famous faces and friends, demanded that the entire video be played immediately.

The video went on to make history, breaking sales records for a video and also doubling the sales of the album itself.

However, Jackson insisted that a disclaimer was shown alongside the video stating: “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to emphasize that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.”

The star later explained his actions: “I just intended to make a good, fun short film, not purposefully bring something to the screen to scare people or do something bad. I want to do the right thing. I would never do anything like that.” again.”