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Rolling Stones on video: Mick, Keith and director Julien Temple interview on the making of the Undercover Of The Night video
UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT: STONES GO CINEMATIC Back in October ’83, MTV dropped a TV special (named Uncovered) that gave fans a wild peek behind the scenes of the Undercover of the Night video. Shot in gritty Mexico City, the video was pure chaos and style—guns, tension, and political heat everywhere. It wasn’t just another Stones clip; it was a short film packed with danger and attitude. The band looked fierce, fearless, and totally out of their comfort zone.
Uncovered TV special, full version (aired on Dec. 4 1983) Report about the making of the Undercover Of The Nightvideo, inclusing: Interview with Mick and Keith by J.J. Jackson (Mexico City, late October) Interview with video director Julien Temple by J.J. Jackson (also Mexico City, late October)
Rebels in the Spotlight: Stones Go Cinematic in ’83
In October 1983 MTV aired a full-length Uncovered special that took fans behind the scenes of one of the Rolling Stones’ boldest music videos—Undercover of the Night. Shot in Mexico City and loaded with political tension, the video pushed the Stones out of their comfort zone and straight into cinematic territory.
Interviewed by MTV’s J.J. Jackson, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and director Julien Temple pulled back the curtain on the creative chaos. Mick spoke passionately about translating the song’s themes—violence, corruption, and rebellion—into a short film, not just a video. Keith, ever the contrarian, questioned the need for such high drama, yet admitted the final product had serious bite. Together, their push-and-pull energy created something unforgettable.
Julien Temple’s Grit and the MTV Generation
Julien Temple, also interviewed by Jackson in Mexico City, described the experience as orchestrating “a mini-political thriller wrapped in a rock anthem.” Known for fusing music with striking visuals, Temple leaned into the violence and unrest Jagger envisioned—transforming Undercover of the Night into something closer to a short film than a promo clip. He emphasized the urgency of the message and the rawness of the set, which mirrored the song’s darker themes.
The UncoveredTV special didn’t just document a video shoot—it captured a moment of transformation. The Stones were stepping into the MTV era, experimenting with narrative storytelling and high-stakes visuals. It was messy, ambitious, and unpredictable—just like the band itself. And that’s exactly what made it work. In a world of glossy ’80s videos, the Stones reminded everyone that danger still had a place in rock and roll.
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