Michael Jackson's "
Beat It" video he video was directed by Bob Giraldi (who would go on to direct Jackson and his brothers in two Pepsi commercials and choreographed by Michael Peters who would later tackle the same task on Jackson's epic Thriller video. I've heard that many of the participants in the video's dance sequences were actual street gang members brought in to authenticate the look and feel of the piece. If that was the intention, Giraldi certainly accomplished it, as there is a real feeling of menace and danger conveyed by
the Beat It Video. Jackson's red leather jacket featured in the video became iconic—and for good reason; this is some of the best choreography music videos before or since have seen.