Thriller
Michael Jackson’s 1983 14-minute groundbreaking John Landis-directed short film “Thriller” is the most popular music video of all time and was MTV’s first world premiere video.
At the start of the video, a disclaimer flashed up on screen reading; “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult. —Michael Jackson.”
What transpired over the next 14 minutes would forever change the plane of music videos for generations to come. From Jackson turning into a werewolf right before his high school sweetheart’s terrified eyes to film veteran Vincent Price’s eerie narration, Thriller had every child peering from behind the sofa cushions. The highlight of the film was obviously Jackson’s spectacular choreography. The moment he transformed from his usual, boyishly handsome, protective boyfriend to a sunken-faced ghoul was iconic within itself. But Jackson’s dance with the undead led to yet another spawn of Jackson fans hitting the pause and rewind buttons on their VHS machines determined to learn every spooky step.
The video served as the ultimate promotional tool and helped Jackson’s album of the same name become the bestselling album of all time.
