The legendary Elton John has released the digitally restored video for I’m Still Standing after it took a dive into the Atlantic Ocean.
The original footage was directed by Russel Mulcahy and shot 36 years ago at Carlton Beach, Cannes. The tapes were almost destroyed after Mulcahy fell of a pier with his camera while filming.
Elton John’s I’m Still Standing music video has finally been restored after the original tapes plummeted into seawater 36 years ago.
The original negatives had to be re-scanned, have the dirt removed and colour restored, which resulted in a remarkably high definition video. It’s a brilliantly cheerful parade of neon, ’80s fashion and John having a dance on the sand.
“The energy you see in the video is the energy on the set… ’I’m Still Standing’ is really high up,” director Mulcahy said in a statement. “It’s just a fantastic song. It surfaced just at the right time in his career… It sends such a clear message that everyone can have a fall but you can get back up, and that’s the anthem.”
“I really forged a friendship with Elton. We became the best of mates and carried on making videos. He’s just the most extraordinarily generous person.”
The clip was shared alongside his corresponding performance of the track at this year’s Cannes film festival, the same spot where the music video was filmed in 1983.
Take a look at the restored video and his performance below:
