Taurus Video

Background
Taurus Video is the home entertainment division of Kirch Group. In 1999, Taurus Video was closed down, just before Kirch Group was collapsed and nearly merged into ProSiebenSat.1 Media three years later.

Note: This company has no relation to Taurus Entertainment Company.

1st Logo (1982-1988)
Visuals: On a white background, there is a black TV tube made of lines. In it is a red bull. The bull backs its legs twice and it puffs out smoke. Its legs then spread and the logo zooms out and "Im Vertrieb der TAURUS VIDEO" appears above and below the TV tube. It then fades to "TAURUS VIDEO präsentiert" appears in its place.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: A pretty strange synth theme in the beginning with the sounds of the bull and then a synth trumpet theme.

Availability: Appears on early Taurus Video releases such as Seven Samurai, Cross of Iron and For a Few Dollars More.

2nd Logo (1988-1989)
Visuals: On a gradient background, a pack of lines flies into place as light shines on it. As it moves into place, another pair of lines joins with it to make the TV tube from before. The bull from before in gradient orange fades in via a particle effect as well as "IM VERTRIEB DER TAURUS VIDEO" appear above and below it.

Technique: Scanimate effects.

Audio: A synth rock fanfare, with some bull sound effects.

Availability: Appears on some Taurus Video releases like For All Mankind.

3rd Logo (1989-1999)


Visuals: On a black background, the screen zooms out from a purple tunnel. We the rotate away from the tunnel to reveal a translucent purple filmstrip "K". The screen rotates to a comfortable distance and "TaurusVideo" is seen sliding out into place. Everything fades out and "prasentiert:" wipes in below.

Trivia: The "K" in this logo stands for Taurus' parent company Kirch Group.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A choir is heard as well as some ticks and a bang when the text fully slide out. Sliding sounds are also heard.

Availability: Appears on German video prints of such titles as Labyrinth and Escape from New York.