Synopsis

Freddie Mercury enters a neglected theater dressed as a flamboyant magician and discovers Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon living there as down-and-out squatters. With a wave of his wand, he transforms them into polished rock stars. The newly restored Queen then performs onstage as animated figures, magical effects, and cartoon backing singers appear around them. The video combines theatrical fantasy with a playful self-portrait of the band, turning the idea of musical transformation into a colorful stage spectacle.

Factoids & Trivia

• Filming took place in the disused Playhouse Theatre on Northumberland Avenue in London's Charing Cross. The venue had previously been used by the BBC for radio recordings.

• The theater had no central heating, making the March 1986 shoot notably cold for the band and crew.

• The opening and closing views make the theater appear isolated. Because it was actually surrounded by other buildings in central London, a matte painting was used to create that impression.

• Computer animation by The Walt Disney Company brought the fantasy characters from the album cover to life, including three animated backing singers.

• Brian May used a Guild-made copy of his famous Red Special guitar rather than the original instrument.

• The song originated with Roger Taylor and was written for Highlander. Freddie Mercury later reshaped the arrangement into the more pop-oriented version used on the album and in the video.

• The video's popularity helped lead to its release on a VHS video single in October 1986, paired with "Who Wants to Live Forever."