Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983)

I will definitely co-sign the statement of other reviewers that this is, without a doubt in my mind, the greatest music video ever made. Directed by John Landis when that was a good thing with makeup effects by the great Rick Baker, it just feels like a real effort was put forth that there isn't in 99% of music videos. The song is, of course, perfect. One of Michael's timeless classics. Vincent Price's part is something I still quote to this day. I am an old fogey who was alive when this was first released, by the way. This blew my young mind back then. That was back in the days when we had to wait for a video to show up on TV. We couldn't just watch it any time we wanted. We also used to wear onions on our belts because that was the style at the time, but I digress. Anyway, this is the best music video ever and my final word on it is that Ola Ray is beautiful and when I was a wee lad I wanted to marry her. I still do but I've accepted that ship not only sailed but it was lost at sea.

Michael Jackson and Ola Ray star in this 1983 horror music video. The late great, Jackson not only starred in this, but helped choreograph, produce & direct with John Landis after viewing his previous film, "An American Werewolf in London." This is also a short film that pays tribute to werewolf & zombie horror flicks mixed with pop. Jackson and Ray play a young couple who view a scary flick and then find themselves in a real nightmare when zombies surround them while walking home. Michael not only becomes one of the undead, but provides song & dance throughout. We also get a creepy voice-over from the late great, Vincent Price. I grew up watching this and always loved it. The make-up effects are terrific and Jackson's dance movements are brilliant. This is not only the best music video ever made, but definitely Jackson's best I recommend.

Thriller has always been a treasure. I have always liked Michael Jackson's music and I am a huge Vincent Price fan, so Thriller seemed like a perfect combination. And for a music video or anything even, it is a classic. It looks wonderfully spooky and Gothic, and while corny the dialogue is also fun. The story likewise, especially when they take a shortcut through a graveyard. The dancing has Jackson written all over it, the epitome of coolness, and the dancing vampires and werewolf are deliciously macabre. Jackson is in a role that plays to his strengths, and Ola Ray is alluring. But I remember Thriller for primarily two things. Vincent Price is charismatic and deliciously smarmy, his delivery of his "rap" is brilliant. Even better is the song, nearly twenty years later(though it was 13 since I first heard it) it is still catchy and has endless replay value. All in all, a thrilling classic, if only music videos in general were as good as this. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Before I had saw the Thriller video in 2001, my family and friends all tried to explain what happens in it. I put all the bits together and came up with this storyline. Tell me what you think.The camera comes down on Michael and his date coming out of the cinema and they start to walk to his house while singing Thriller. After finishing the verses they come to a graveyard and Michael suggests that they go in. While walking around Ola notices that she's been abandoned. She goes off looking for Michael. She see's his footprints heading into a nearby forest so she follows them. She hears him groaning and finds him in a clear patch in the grass. She asks him if he's alright and He turns around with the yellow eyes and warns her to get away from him. After a full transformation into a werewolf he chases her back into the graveyard and zombies have started to rise from their grave. After being cornered by Michael and the zombies they start to dance and sing the chorus to Thriller. After that she runs into Michael's house to seek shelter but Were-Panther Michael and the zombies follow her in. She goes in and stabs Michael with a silver knife and he turns to normal. as the sun comes back out the zombies turn to go back to their grave. Then Ola wakes up and realises that it's still night-time and that they've arrived home from the cinema. Then Michael says she can stay at his place for the night and goes to shut the curtains and as he does he stops. The camera shows a full moon and cuts to Michael's face at the window with the yellow eyes and the teeth and the camera gradually zooms closer to the window Obviously not what happens but might have been good to see. I know I was more scared of my family's version of the tale. but the one thing that haunts me every day and night is those yellow cats eyes both at the beginning and the end.