Oh No, What Have I Done?: The Woman Behind Duran Duran’s Girls on Film

“I didn’t think anyone knew who I was”

By Markus Vögele

While Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film” went down as one of the most controversial music videos of all time, the two models who starred in the video remained largely anonymous. Now, for the first time, Beverley Downie, one of the “Girls on Film,” reflects on the making of the iconic 1981 music video, the censorship it sparked, and how her views on women, sexuality, and the video itself have evolved over the past 45 years.

What was your first thought when I contacted you about the video after all these years?

Yes, a little surprised because I didn’t think anyone knew who I was. Or rather, that it was me in the video.

Have you ever been interviewed or asked about your involvement in the video since it was made?

Never. I’m surprised you found out who I was.

How did you get involved in the video?

A photographer recommended me to someone, I can’t remember the name of the photographer though.

Did you know it was for a Duran Duran music video shoot?

When I went to meet the guy, I also can’t remember his name, but he was the head of the company who made the videos, then I found out who it was for. I have better memories of actually making the video by the way, but the lead-up is a little hazy. Sorry.

What do you remember about making the video?

It was at Shepperton Studios, the studio next door was making Adam Ant’s “Prince Charming” with Diana Dors. I didn’t really know of Duran Duran that well, but my younger sister was a big fan and very excited. It was a lovely experience, I was in it with one of my best friends at the time, Zoe Hendry. We met the band and the directors, Godley and Creme and the crew. Everyone was just lovely.

I had no idea as to what I was going to do in the video, it just unfolded as the two days of shooting went on. First, we had a pillow fight on a greasy pole, then I was chosen as a massage therapist, then a girl drowning in a paddling pool, then we had a mud wrestle. It was a great experience.

At the time, what did you think the video was actually about, and what did you think the message of the song was?

Well, at the time, not too deeply as I didn’t really know the song, even when we were making it, because we only heard parts of it. But I have since seen some interviews with band members and the directors, who said they were conveying how women are used on film. I think they went with glamour models, because we were used to being partly clothed. Really didn’t think about how it would be received after it was made. Came as a bit of a shock. I was 21, a bit more naïve than I appeared to be, or looked.

You mentioned both the theme of “how women are used on film” and the reaction to the video. Could you elaborate a little on both of those points?

The reaction first. Shortly after the video, I saw an article, I think in the News of the World, ironically written by Paula Yates, saying how saucy or X-rated it was. Then it was banned from TV, of course. I suddenly thought, ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ But then it started to get a lot of notoriety, apparently it was the most popular in nightclubs, so I heard. I saw it. I thought it was really good, and I was proud to be a part of it.

As I said, I was pretty naïve when we shot the video, I think it was early days for pop videos, I didn’t know Duran Duran, I knew Godley and Creme from 10cc, of course. I had never heard the song. I was just doing a shoot, it was my second video, a much bigger and better production than the first one I did. I had a lovely experience making it.

But it went further than that. Even I can’t get my head round how legendary it seems to be.
As for my comment on how women are portrayed. I remember watching an interview with the directors Godley and Creme explaining the ideas behind the video. To be honest I can’t remember the exact words, but it was definitely along the lines of how women are seen on film. I would suggest you find that interview.

But in my opinion, growing up as a teenager in the ’70s, women were very much objectified on film, TV and photography, it was definitely an influence on my choice to become a model, amongst other things. It’s funny how it is almost impossible to see the uncut version now, because attitudes have changed. A good thing in my opinion. Though I have no regrets about the video. I was just being myself at the time.

What changes in attitudes are you referring to, and why do you think it’s “a good thing”?

I have daughters and a granddaughter. I think attitudes to women are trying to change. For one, domestic violence is now taken seriously, something that I was subjected to between 1978 and 86. There was no help for me at the time. As a teenager, some of the stuff that happened to me was outrageous, but it all seemed so normal at the time. So yes, these changes are a good thing. Of course, a video like “Girls on Film” couldn’t be made now.

But I must stress that I have no regrets about the video, I think it was quite beautiful in its way, got a message across. And everyone on set was so respectful.

Kevin Godley said that “the original idea was an ironic take on exploitation, because that’s what the song was about.” As you were working as a model at the time, do you think there was a grain of truth in the song’s message?

Yes, I do think there is truth in the song’s message.

Looking back at the publicity, the TV ban, and the video’s popularity in nightclubs, do you think the video had a particular impact on popular culture or music videos at the time?

Having been in the video by no means makes me an expert on pop culture. But my observations during the ’80s: The release of pop videos became highly anticipated, production values were top-notch, even epic. The anticipation for the next Duran Duran video was always huge. So yes, I would say it did have an influence in that sense. As for pop culture, yes, I think it did have an influence. But I am unqualified to speak about it.

What goes through your mind when you watch the “Girls on Film” music video today, especially the uncut version?

Well, for some years, as I got older, it was nice to look back and see how I looked and moved back then, but I have to admit that the last time I saw it, it did make me cringe a little. Not because I don’t think it’s a great video, but as I said, I was just being myself at the time. Over the years I have done a lot of evolving as a person, overcome a great deal, and fought back hard to survive. The self I was at the time, honestly, could only see her self-worth in her physical assets. It’s a long story that has nothing to do with pop culture.

But having said that, I am not an actress, so the self that I was at the time was perfectly suitable for the video, I think.

Neither you nor Zoe Hendry were credited in “Girls on Film”, although members of the production team were. Do you know why?

I really have no clue as to why we were not credited. That’s a bit strange, don’t you think.

Apart from your friend Zoe Hendry who else do you remember from the people who appeared in the video? Do you know what any of them are doing today?

The other characters in the video, I remember them, but I don’t have a clue what they are doing today. I also lost touch with Zoe not long after I had my first daughter.

How did your modelling career develop after “Girls on Film”?

I didn’t do that much, made another video, “The Look of Love” by ABC, but I was pregnant at the time, though it didn’t show. The reason I say not much is because I was 21 for “Girls on Film” and pregnant at 22, so really that was the end of that.

Now, at 66, what are you doing these days?

I taught yoga for 25 years, but now I run a dog walking company, so enjoying my life with animals.

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