Friday Video Pick: "Never Let Me Down Again" by Depeche Mode

A screen shot from the 1987 video for “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode

Today the beauty of Anton Corbijn’s imagery reigns in his 1987 video for “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode. In fact, this renowned Dutch photographer, film director and music video director has crafted many a stunning visual for Depeche Mode over the years, and “Never Let Me Down Again” showcases his striking use of dark and light. Which works well for a song on the darker side…

Depeche Mode band members in the music video for “Never Let Me Down Again”

Above we see Depeche Mode members (clockwise) Andrew Fletcher, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Alan Wilder. Never has the bleak countryside been more appealing… But if the fashion and good looks of the musicians don’t provide enough of a bright contrast to this gorgeously heavy video, perhaps knowing the story has a happy ending will lift your spirits. At the end of the piece, Dave Gahan crashes his car. At the beginning of the video for “Behind the Wheel,” a sequel of sorts, the car is towed away, and Gahan quickly hitches a ride with an alluring beauty on a motor scooter. All is well in the world of brooding landscapes!