Synopsis

Placebo perform inside and around the Lovell Telescope as the video moves from stark daytime images into a dark, infrared world. A thermal image follows a couple chasing one another through an abstract landscape before they finally meet and kiss. The performance becomes increasingly apocalyptic as the telescope transforms into a glowing radar-like structure. In the closing moments, the dish erupts in a burst of heat, sparks, and rain, giving the song's fatalistic title a suitably explosive visual conclusion.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed near Stockport in Cheshire, England, using the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank as its central visual landmark.

• Although the finished video makes it appear that Placebo are performing on the telescope dish, the band members were actually filmed separately in a studio and composited into helicopter footage of the telescope.

• Visual-effects company Rushes created the telescope's transformation into a giant radar and developed the infrared, thermal imaging style used for the couple's storyline.

• The production ends with a digitally created explosion that sends heat and sparks across the telescope, followed by the band being drenched by rain.

• "The Bitter End" was released in 2003 as the lead single from Placebo's album "Sleeping with Ghosts." It became one of the band's signature songs and reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

• The music video was issued as a bonus feature on one of the UK CD single editions.