The Prodigy- "Invaders Must Die" Video Analysis

How are the band represented?

The band are not shown in the video, and this is an unconventional feature of a music video, as the band are usually the main focus. However, the man in the video is shown to be slightly crazy during points in the video, due to an unsteady camera and numerous close ups of the mans face. Another way in which insanity is shown throughout this video is the fact that he is spray painting spiders and turning stray strands of rope into spiders. As spiders are seen to be frightening, this may show that the man has a dark side and that he, too is frightening.

What relationship exists between the images and the lyrics in the video?

The song is called "Invaders Must Die" and for the majority of the music video, the man is shown to be alone, and the video is shot in places in which people are not usually found, such as by an abandoned house and in a field containing telephone pylons. "Invaders Must Die" are the only lyrics throughout the song and so the idea of the man being alone suggests that everybody else that has once been there is dead, which is also supported by the scene in which the man becomes strangled. A major aspect of the video is the fact that it is in black and white, which makes the video appear as a short film, especially as the video does not feature the band in it, and instead acts as a backing track. By having the video in black and white, the insanity an loneliness of the man and is much more effective at showing this than if the video were in colour.

What relationship exists between the images and the music?

The video changes in speed, there are points when the shots are fast and there are others in which the shots are longer panning shots, depending on the tempo of the music. The bass in the music acts like a backbone for the song and is solid and consistent throughout the video. This aspect of the music is reflected in the consistency of certain aspects of the video such as the black and white throughout and the emptiness of the setting.

Are there any inter-textual references to other media forms?
An inter-textual reference occurs between the bands trademark logo and also the spiders that appear are being made by the man throughout, again linking the bands products and also the band to that music video so that they are instantly recognisable. Also, the use of black and white is also reflected in the single cover and the majority of "The Prodigy"'s products, such as Prodigy t-shirts and posters.

What do I like about the video?

I think that the black and white works brilliantly with the song, as the song is very upbeat and hyperactive, and the monochrome contrasts to the tempo and genre to the music, thus making it more effective. Also, the different shot types are very effective in this video as they empahsise that he is the only person there.