Duranalysis: Night Boat

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Comments

Ingrid Richter said…
Awesome recap, Morgan, as always!

So I always assumed that the "Night Boat" was death (i.e. Charon = Simon Le Bon). If so, and the zombies figure in, why did Roger manage to escape unscathed?

Also, what was the order of zombie-fication/death in the video? Simon = first, Roger = never, but I still can't figure out the Duran Duran guys in the middle.

Glad you're doing these, BTW - you've made my Sunday :-)
Morgan Richter said…
why did Roger manage to escape unscathed?

Roger always seemed somewhat less decadent and purer of heart than the others. Maybe that rendered him zombie-immune?

Also, what was the order of zombie-fication/death in the video?

My first guess is that it went Simon-John-Nick-Andy, but there are creepy little indications ealier on that some kind of (voodoo-based?) possession was taking place right from the start -- Nick's reflection in the mirror, the bottle in the shack where John picks up the bucket rolling by itself. (I'd say Nick might've been possessed/hexed from the start, with the way he was slinking around and peering in windows, but Nick strikes me as an inveterate slinker, so that might be nothing.) Forty-five seconds in, there's an unclear shot of someone muttering to himself -- I've been assuming it's Simon, but it's impossible to be sure. There might be a clue of something there.
Morgan Dodge said…
Given the current zombie trend and lit-mod fetish going on these days (see: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, for example) it seems like Shakespeare and zombies is a natural. Right? Maybe?

It just seems like another one of those moments when Duran Duran was ahead of their time.

'Cause it echoes me, echoes me, echoes me!"

I'm personally more of a creeper zombie fan, as opposed to the voodoo zombies, but that's probably just a product of the era.
Morgan Richter said…
I kinda dig the voodoo zombies. More spooky, less brain-eaty. Plus, I figure it's more appropriate for the Caribbean setting.

it seems like Shakespeare and zombies is a natural.

Sure, why not? Ingrid also pointed out that some of the shots are composed like Maxfield Parrish paintings, which... yeah, they're just grabbing influences from all over the place. Just a cool little video.
DKoren said…
Speaking of Roger corrections, that's Roger lying unconscious on the steps, not Andy, in the middle segment when Nick touches his shoulder. Andy seems to vanish in this one after scurrying about with Nick. Nick and John are definitely on the boat with Simon at the end, but I can't spot Andy.

I really love this video. It is full of awesome and I never tire of watching the guys join/resist the zombies. It's just too much fun! You highlight all the cool stuff.
Morgan Richter said…
Speaking of Roger corrections, that's Roger lying unconscious on the steps, not Andy, in the middle segment when Nick touches his shoulder

Yup, you're right. Duly fixed. Andy kind of pulls a disappearing act in both of the videos shot in Antigua.

It is full of awesome and I never tire of watching the guys join/resist the zombies.

It might be my favorite Duran video. I mean, zombies!
Anonymous said…
So glad I found this page! I was at Romeo & Juliet rehearsals tonight, and as Mercutio started in with "She is the faeries' midwife..." my little ears perked up and suddenly I was hearing Simon saying it. I was going nuts trying to figure out why!
Anonymous said…
Great Duranalysis, Morgan! I just want to add my take publicly, some of which you already know from our email convos:

1. The rapid day-night switches are due to reality (day) and alternate universe (night)
2. I think Nick and Andy were "legitimately freaked out of their pretty heads" because they heard John scream.
3. I think the order was Simon, John, Andy, Nick, and Roger. (Yes, even Roger) Andy was overtaken before Nick. That's why he ran with Nick after trying to talk to Simon, but he's not around when Nick was running away from the water. Notice also Nick's hair was wet and his eye makeup was running.


Lisa
Morgan Richter said…
Hi, Lisa! You are probably exactly right with all of your guesses.
Anonymous said…
The video is an homage to Italian horror film director Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2 :)
Morgan Richter said…
Ah, thanks, mirrigold! I didn't know that.
Deanna Duncan said…
I've been a Duran Duran girl since 1983 and I cannot believe that I haven't seen this video! Thank you for making us aware of this...you know they had zombies floating in Wild Boys too! I read In the Pleasure Groove by John Taylor he got right with God! So happy for him! (Me too!) He looks so much happier now in photos...but he's always looked good! I've never seen a more beautiful man! Where can I find this video? In the mean time I will be checking YouTube today! :)