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IMDbPro

Michael Jackson: Black or White

  • Music Video
  • 1991
  • 6m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
Michael Jackson in Michael Jackson: Black or White (1991)
FantasyMusic

Michael Jackson's video accompanied with the single ''Black or White''.Michael Jackson's video accompanied with the single ''Black or White''.Michael Jackson's video accompanied with the single ''Black or White''.

  • Director
    • John Landis
  • Writer
    • Marc Lafia
  • Stars
    • C. Thomas Howell
    • Michael Jackson
    • Robbie General Lee
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    3.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Landis
    • Writer
      • Marc Lafia
    • Stars
      • C. Thomas Howell
      • Michael Jackson
      • Robbie General Lee
    • 11User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Photos124

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    C. Thomas Howell
    C. Thomas Howell
    • Special appearence
    Michael Jackson
    Michael Jackson
    • Michael Jackson
    Robbie General Lee
    • Native American Dancer
    • (as RobbieLeeGeneral)
    Yamuna Sangarasivam
    • Indian dancer
    Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter
    Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter
    • Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter
    • (uncredited)
    Tyra Banks
    Tyra Banks
    • Tyra Banks
    • (uncredited)
    Veena Bidasha
    • Veena Bidasha
    • (uncredited)
    Nancy Cartwright
    Nancy Cartwright
    • Bart Simpson
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Dan Castellaneta
    Dan Castellaneta
    • Homer Simpson
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Glen Chin
    Glen Chin
    • Glen Chin
    • (uncredited)
    Roberta Chow
    • Roberta Chow
    • (uncredited)
    Macaulay Culkin
    Macaulay Culkin
    • Blonde Kid
    • (uncredited)
    Sage Galesi
    • Young Indian Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Dena Goodmanson
    • Dena Goodmanson - Morphing Redhead
    • (uncredited)
    Khrystyne Haje
    Khrystyne Haje
    • Khrystyne Haje
    • (uncredited)
    Tess Harper
    Tess Harper
    • Mother
    • (uncredited)
    Dante Henderson
    • African Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Yuko Sumida Holley
    • Yuko Sumida Holley
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Landis
    • Writer
      • Marc Lafia
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    7.93.8K
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    Featured reviews

    10averman

    One word- Legendary

    Black or White has to be one of the most exciting videos i've ever seen. The dancing, the singing, the morphing, it's all incredible. It starts of with the famous scene where Macaulay Culkin plugs his electric guitar into an over-sized amplifier, blasting his dad out of the room and into another place. Then we see Michael Jackson dancing in several scenes, finely enough. But then comes the controversial ending wich sparked outrage when this video first aired in November 1991. We see a panther morph into Michael Jackson and then vandalising property, including breaking a car window with a cro-bar. Even so, it is still a fun and exciting video.

    P.S. I don't know what video George Litman was watching, but there is no scene where Michael Jackson "masturbates" on top of a car!!! If touching your crotch means masturbating, then all men masturbate whenever they visit the gents.
    10callumhealey44

    The pioneer of the 'music video' at his best

    When I first saw 'Black or White' I was amazed at all of the effects, costumes, sets, dancing and the overall feel of the video sends a good message. My favourite part was when Michael started doing the ethnic dances which shows how versatile he can be as a dancer and performer. However the panther section was under a lot of controversy over whether it was appropriate or not. I've seen that part and all I can say as, this is Michael Jackson dancing, moving and expressing himself just like he always has. I don't know how something like that can cause so much controversy when all the music videos nowadays are 'sexed up' and are 10 times less appropriate than anything before 1995.

    Many people judge Michael as 'Thriller' being his peak but I disagree because albums like 'Bad', 'HIStory' and 'Dangerous' (which Black or White is off) provide a wider source of brilliant songs to his catalogue. But here you have the greatest entertainer/performer of the modern era with an amazing video that captivates audiences of all ages that can't take your eyes away from the spectacule.
    10josmith1

    best music video ever

    This is by far MJ's best music video. Regardless of how great Thriller is, Black or White is better. It contains many different forms of dance, comedy, and serious messages. I would specificly like to comment on his smashing of the car in the second half of the video. No one seems to understand why he does it and I am here to tell you why. In the real version the car windows (and the store windows) are covered in racial slurs and other offensive graffiti. He smashes a Nazi swastika, "KKK rules", "N----- go home" and other such hateful messages. No one seems to know this and they all think it is just violence for the sake of violence. He is trying to tear down hate, racism, and prejudice in all forms.

    I recommend everyone see the real version of the video. If nothing else it has some of MJ's best dancing to date.
    Kirpianuscus

    imaginative

    It is a big show, great in each detail. And, in essence, this is the most important thing. A perfect show , with a powerful message and few drops of controvrsies. But, impeccable crafted, it is more than seductive and energetic and expression of lovely imagination.
    10floydcarey-45342

    Legend.. wait for it... dary

    Wow. oh wow. This video is phenomenal to say the least. It has everything you want from an MJ video. It has dancing, great beat, singing, an important message and even Bart Simpson. This is a classic that will never be forgotten.

    Related interests

    Elijah Wood in Le Seigneur des anneaux : La Communauté de l'anneau (2001)
    Fantasy
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This video was the first to use the "morphing" technique (when people of all different races morph into each other in the last minute of the song). The same technology was used in Terminator 2 : Le Jugement dernier (1991), released the same year. The fictional date of Judgement Day just happens to be Michael Jackson's birthday. It's even mentioned in the Coda by Sarah Connor: "Michael Jackson turned 40" (he really turned 39).
    • Goofs
      When Michael is dancing with the group of Russians, the amount of artificial snow on the floor keeps changing.
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Father: Turn that thing off!

      [goes upstairs and enters the blonde kid's room, making the rock music stop]

      Father: I thought I told you to turn that thing off! It is too late and it's too loud!

      Blonde Kid: But, dad, this is the best part.

      Father: You are wasting your time with this garbage. *Now, go to bed!*

      [exits the blonde kid's bedroom by closing the door so hard that the Michael Jackson poster falls over]

      Blonde Kid: Okay.

      [He brings the big speakers into the living room, sets up his electric guitar and adjusts the speakers from "loud" to "Are you nuts?". His parents notice him with his electric guitar]

      Blonde Kid: Eat this.

      [the boy plays an electric guitar loudly enough to fire his father into space, to finally landing in Africa]

      Mother: I'm afraid your father is going to be very upset when he gets back.

    • Alternate versions
      After receiving many angry phone calls and letters of protest, the later showings of this video removed the scene where Micheal Jackson smashes a car with a crowbar, smashes a window by throwing a garbage can at it, and grabs his crotch while dancing.
    • Connections
      Featured in Top of the Pops: Episode #28.46 (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Black or White
      Written by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell

      Performed by Michael Jackson

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 14, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Short version
      • Official YouTube
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Michael Jackson: Black or White (Shortened Version)
    • Filming locations
      • Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA(Spectacular rock formations.)
    • Production company
      • Propaganda Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 6m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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