Est. 1998
‘Black or White’ Gets Upscaled But Causes Uproar
Michael Jackson’s iconic short film “Black or White” has just been released in 4K on his official YouTube channel, but instead of celebration, the rollout has sparked frustration among fans.
Originally released in 1991 and directed by John Landis, “Black or White” was a global TV event that blended cutting-edge effects with a powerful message of racial unity. It remains one of Michael’s most ambitious and iconic work.
The new version can be viewed in 4K, but many fans have quickly pointed out that it’s not a true restoration. Instead of being remastered from the original negatives, the film appears to have been upscaled using AI. While the quality is improved, it lacks the fidelity of a proper restoration.
More concerning is that a few scenes differ from the version Michael approved. Some suggestive dancing during the panther dance near the end, and his famous pause to zip up his flies, has now been edited out. The Estate has since admitted the wrong master was used, saying that the best quality tape was “erroneously labeled.” We’re yet to find out if they intend to replace the video with a non-censored version.
Fans are now hoping for a proper frame-by-frame 4K restoration, and one that fully reflects the work Michael tirelessly created as part of his legacy.
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