Synopsis

Boy George leads viewers through a succession of theatrical doorways, each opening onto an increasingly elaborate surprise. A young boy struggles to deliver an oversized Christmas present while the band appear amid floating instruments, suspended violins and trumpets, dancers, and dreamlike stage illusions. The visual journey builds toward a grand finale: a cake-shaped bandstand occupied by Culture Club, a full orchestra, a gold harp, and angelic performers. The video turns the song's melancholy romantic drama into a lavish, surreal Hollywood-style spectacle.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video draws heavily on the visual language of classic Hollywood musicals, particularly the geometric staging and large-scale choreography associated with Busby Berkeley.

• The production was mounted at Shepperton Studios. The main set reportedly took three days to construct, and Culture Club spent approximately 12 hours filming.

• Several practical illusions give the promo its dreamlike character, including Boy George appearing to float and musical instruments being suspended from balloons.

• The closing set was designed as a large birthday-cake-shaped bandstand, allowing the orchestra, dancers, harp, and band to be revealed together for the song's climax.

• "Victims" was released on November 28, 1983, as the third single from *Colour By Numbers*. It reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 10 for five weeks.