Synopsis

Shot in stark black and white, the video follows a young girl after her mother dies. At home, she struggles under the cold and intimidating presence of her father, while an adult Madonna moves through the girl's memories and emotional scars. Images of snow, a funeral, domestic violence and a grave create a haunted portrait of childhood grief. The narrative gradually connects the girl's fear and anger with the adult woman's attempt to understand her parents, confront painful memories and move toward forgiveness.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was filmed during the last week of October 1989 at Culver Studios in Culver City, California.

• Its visual language draws on the atmosphere and imagery of Orson Welles' 1941 film "Citizen Kane," particularly its treatment of memory, family conflict and psychological damage.

• The funeral scene reflects Madonna's memory of seeing her mother's lips sewn shut after her death. She later said that this image had stayed with her for years.

• MTV reportedly considered removing the disturbing funeral image before continuing to broadcast the video. Madonna objected to the proposed alteration and threatened to withdraw future work from the channel.

• The clip was recognized as more than a conventional pop promotion, with critics often describing it as one of Madonna's most autobiographical and cinematic videos.

• "Oh Father" received a nomination for Best Short Form Music Video at the 33rd Grammy Awards in 1991.

• Rolling Stone later placed the video at number 66 on its list of the 100 greatest music videos.

• The video was included on Madonna's 1990 home-video compilation "The Immaculate Collection."