Goldcrest Films

Background

Goldcrest Films was formed in the United Kingdom around 1980. It financed films such as Scorchers, Hope and Glory and the animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven, which was made by Don Bluth Entertainment, a company that Goldcrest backed at the time. Goldcrest was eventually undone by the failure of Rock-a-Doodle, another Don Bluth film, and it went bankrupt. The company was later resurrected as a post-production and artworks studio. Most newer films are now produced under Goldcrest Independent.

1st Logo (10 April 1981-1991)

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Visuals: On a black background, a red bird zooms out with a sliding effect. The word "GOLDCREST" appears underneath in the same manner. Some simple shining effects streak over the name and a star flashes on the "G".

Variants:

• On Scorchers, the logo is given an enhanced look.
• On some movies released in 1984, the entire logo is red, likely due to film deterioration.
• On YouTube's print of Rock-a-Doodle, the background is green.

Technique: Appears to be cel animation.

Audio: A "mysterious" tune, but sometimes it will be silent.

Availability: It was only seen on a few flims; most films released during this era, such as Gandhi, Hope and Glory, and All Dogs Go to Heaven do not have this logo. Can be found on The Ploughman's Lunch, Winter Flight, and The Mission. It can also be found on the 1984 TV miniseries The Far Pavilions, as well as the Trinity Home Entertainment DVD of Scorchers. This plasters the second logo on a YouTube print of Rock-a-Doodle.

2nd Logo (January 15, 1983-June 28, 1986)

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Visuals: A still, print version of the goldcrest from before is on top of "A GOLDCREST PRODUCTION", alongside a co-producer's name.

Variant: On Robin of Sherwood, the logo is white and part of the end credits.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: The closing theme of the programme.

Availability: Seen only on GasTank and Robin of Sherwood.

3rd Logo (March 2-August 2, 1991)

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Visuals: The bird from the previous logo, now colored gold, fades in on a black background. Afterwards, the word "GOLDCREST" appears in the same manner, starting from central letters, as the background turns murky green.

Variant: On some prints of Rock-a-Doodle, the logo is in a dark tint, as with the film itself, and as such the green background is very hard to see.

Technique: Fading effects.

Audio: None.

Availability: Can be found at the end of Rock-a-Doodle as well as the beginning of the Cineplex Odeon/MCA VHS of Scorchers (DVDs use the 1st logo instead) and the Nova Home Video VHS of Black Rainbow. It might also appear on the Media/Fox VHS of Scorchers as well.

4th Logo (2007-2008)

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Visuals: The logo starts with a streak of light shining through some golden feathers of a bird, and the screen zooms out of the bird, similar to the previous one, flying in mid-air. Then it lands on the screen near the black words "GOLDCREST FILMS", all lit up by a golden sun. Then the bird transforms into a 2D picture and the entire logo becomes gold-colored.

Technique: CGI made by Capricorn Digital using Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects.

Audio: Unknown.

Availability: While the print version can be found across some box covers, its only actual on-screen appearances were Elvis and Anabelle and the trailer for Restrepo viewed through Goldcrest's website.

5th Logo (26 December 2011)

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Visuals: Same as the Goldcrest Independent logo, but the shadow of the word "INDEPENDENT" is replaced with "GOLDCREST" and still right-side up.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The opening theme of the movie.

Availability: So far, only seen on The Iron Lady.