Martin Scorsese is one master storyteller known for his incredible works like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and the most recent, Killers of the Flower Moon. A filmmaker like no other, Scorsese’s innovative use of camera work, meticulous attention to detail, and thought-provoking narrative makes him stand out from the rest.
A multiple-award-winning filmmaker, it is unusual to imagine that Scorsese would have directed a music video, that too for a pop icon like Michael Jackson. But that is what happened back in the 1980s when he collaborated with Jackson for the music video of his critical hit, Bad, which also coincidentally starred Wesley Snipes.
When Martin Scorsese Directed a Music Video for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson‘s Thriller album was one of his best hits, and the music video for the single Thriller was a hit too for combining zombies with pop music. Years after, another one of his music videos, also sort of a short film, would earn similar critical acclaim. This was the music video for his chart-topping hit, Bad, directed by Martin Scorsese.
One of the nine short films made for various recordings from the album Bad, the music video, made various references to West Side Story (via NPR). The 18-minute long music video was scripted by Richard Price and also starred a then-unknown Wesley Snipes as a titular character.
Inspired by the real-life story of Edmund Perry, a prep school graduate from Harlem whose shooting death by a plainclothes policeman galvanized New York City, ‘Bad’ stars Michael as Darryl, a student returning to his inner-city home while on break from a prestigious academy.
This was the synopsis of the music video (via Michael Jackson.com). As Darryl comes into conflict with his neighborhood friends, led by Snipes, he challenges them. In an abandoned subway station, Darryl bursts into a powerful dance accompanied by a trope of dancers and looks formidable in a black leather outfit.
The Martin Scorsese-directed film/music video was an instant hit and was nominated for several awards, including the MTV Music Award for Best Choreography. Heralded as one of the greatest music videos of Michael Jackson, it has since become an inspiration for many young artists and fashionistas.
Wesley Snipes on Working with Michael Jackson and Martin Scorsese
Wesley Snipes is now famous for his Blade movies, but back when he had appeared in the music video for Michael Jackson’s critical hit, Bad, he was still an unknown young actor. Hsving recently graduated from the theatre program at SUNY Pictures, the actor played the gang leader Mini Max, of the group of friends who confront Jackson’s Darryl.
When he first met Jackson, the King of Pop had no idea who he was, and Snipes recalled to The Hollywood Reporter,
MJ thought I was a real gang member they hired from off the streets and encouraged me to pursue acting as a real career.
Also describing the experience as incredible, the Blade star recalled how soft-spoken and helpful the acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese was. In the history of collaborations and crossovers, Martin Scorsese directing a music video for Michael Jackson starring Wesley Snipe is certainly one for the history books.
