Unfinished Sympathy
Videography Of Unfinished Sympathy
Director: Baillie Walsh
Art Director: Leigh Bowery
Filming Location: Peico Avenue, Los Angeles, USA
Date of Filming: 22nd January 1991
Video Length: 05:20
The video for Unfished Sympathy is generally regarded to be the very first promo music video to be shot in one take. Massive Attack would repeat this one-take technique later on with the video for Protection.
It was during the filming of Unfinshed Sympathy that Massive Attack were notified by their record label on the decision to pressureize them into droping the "Attack" from their name and become simply "Massive" due to media censorship at the time over the Gulf War.
The original ending concieved for the video involved a wide angled camera shot that would gradually move up on a crane above the housing levels on the street. Because the video had to be shot multiple times on the same day, the cameraman was too tired to achieve that particulae ending shot as envisioned and instead the production crew simply opted for a quick fade-out instead.
Some internet websites list the famed Hollywood director David Lynch as being the director of the video for Unfinished Sympathy. However this rumor started it is false as David Lynch has never had any affiliation with Massive Attack.
The video Unfinished Sympathy was intentionally referenced and maybe even spoofed, in director's Walter Stern's promo video for The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony in 1997. You can watch said video via MegaVideo by clicking here. Ironically, Walter Stern would then go on to direct three videos for Massive Attack, with them being Risingson, Teardrop and Angel.
Ballie Walsh had previously directed for Massive Attack the video for Daydreaming. He would later go on to direct the videos for Unfinished Sympathy and Be Thankful For What You've Got.
Shara Nelson on filming the video for Unfinished Sympathy in Los Angeles - "It was quite a frightening experience. But, Baillie's got athe ability to help you forget what's going on and to just concentrate on what you're doing. And of course, I had those bodyguards [Massive Attack] behind me. I was'nt on my own" [Rage Magazine - May 1991]
3D's sentiments regarding the video for Unfinished Sympathy - "When we first saw Unfinished Sympathy in the editing suite we were really unhappy because the things we knew were supposed to happen didnt happen. It was one steadycam shot and the cameraman got tired throughout the day and missed quite a few things. We were disappointed initially but in retrospect I think that was a great video" [The Raft - November 2001]
Download Original Video File
Duration: 05:22
File Size: 42.6MB
Download Original Video File
Duration: 05:17
File Size: 44.4MB
Notes:This clip was taken from the 1993 film "Sliver". Unfinished Sympathy also appears on the soundtrack album for "Sliver".
T In The Park Festival, Kinross, UK - 11th July 2004Download Original Video File
Duration: 04:47
File Size: 93.9MB
Notes: This is an example of how Unfinished Sympathy was performed live on the 2004 tour.
Top Of the Pops, London, UK - January 1995
Download Original Video File
Duration: 02:43
File Size: 38MB
Notes: This is a one off performance of Unfinished Sympathy filmed for Top Of The Pops, a BBC pop music show at the time of Unfinished Sympathy's single release. This is also one of the very few times Shara Nelson played live with Massive Attack. On the broadcast version shown here sadily the BBC decided to dub over the orginial performance's sound with the album version as they do with several Top Of the Pops performances.