The Criterion Collection

Logo descriptions by Michael Bass Logo captures by Eric S., Stephen Cezar, and Derrick Anderson Video captures courtesy of Eric S. and LogosForTheWin

Background: The Criterion Collection (or just "Criterion") is a company owned by Jonathan B. Turell and Peter Becker, sons of Janus Films owners Saul J. Turell and William Becker, respectively. The Criterion Collection produces direct-to-video documentaries and distributes DVDs of art and important films. They were one of the first video companies to add special features to laserdisc releases, which would later become the standard for the DVD market.

1st Logo (December 3, 1984-1996, 1999) The Criterion Collection - CLG WikiCriterion "Janus Films Variant" (1987)The Criterion Collection - CLG Wiki

Logo: On a shady black/blue background, we see a shady black/blue box with a metallic border, that casts a shadow in the background. Inside the box is what looks like a book with pages. A sideways arch is connected to the book, forming a backwards "C". The word "Criterion" appears below the "C".

Variants: Sometimes the logo is white on a black background without the box. This time, there is a line below "Criterion" and the text that reads "THE CRITERION COLLECTION a joint venture of JANUS FILMS and VOYAGER PRESS" Another black background variant had the same logo as the normal version, but with the shadow white and the logo smaller.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare, as this only appears on Laserdisc releases. Look for the Criterion heading on the sleeve for this logo. Examples include Akira, The Killer, Citizen Kane(the very first Criterion release, it so happens, along with King Kong), and Hard Boiled, among others. This was strangely seen on the 1999 DVD of Fishing With John by going through the disc's VOB files (the 3rd logo only appears during normal playback).

Editor's Note: The logo itself somehow looks a "P" than a book styled C.

2nd Logo (1994?)

Criterion 2 Logo: On a black background, we see the word "CRITERION" in red flip to the left and stop in place at an angle. As this happens, a gray background, which has several titles of Criterion releases, sliding to the left, fades in.

FX/SFX: The flipping of the word, fading of the background, movement of the words in the background.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. Appears on the Criterion laserdisc of Halloween (1978).

Editor's Note: None. 3rd Logo (1995) The Criterion Collection - CLG Wiki

Logo: On a scratched metal background, a laserdisc appears and spins while zooming out, being partially transparent. As it collides with the background, the whole logo flashes, revealing an engraving of the Criterion logo (which glows for a bit before dying down) and a warped red object. The object then unfolds itself out into the word "CRITERION" in red with a white shadow.

FX/SFX: The laserdisc.

Music/Sounds: Whirring sounds, ending with a cymbal crash.

Availability: Rare. Appears on the Criterion laserdisc of RoboCop (1995).

Editor's Note: Very poor 2D/3D animation for 1995. This logo also has the same problem with the first logo, it looks like a "P" instead of a book styled "C".

4th Logo (1997-1999) Criterion 3The Criterion Collection (1998) - Cropped

Logo: On a black background, an strange-looking eye is seen, formed by a semicircle and 2 C's nestling within each other. "CRITERION COLLECTION" is seen above and below the eye.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Rare. Appears on Laserdiscs and early DVDs from this era. DVD examples include And The Ship Sails On, and the rare releases of the John Woo films The Killer and Hard Boiled.

Editor's Note: The cropped version was just unnecessary to do. they could've did something smart and recreate the logo in open matte, and crop it, or recreate it in a 16:9 format.

5th Logo (2000-2007) The Criterion Collection (2004)The Criterion Collection (2001) - 16:9

Logo: On a black background, we see the white text "THE CRITERION COLLECTION". Below the text, a white line wipes in from left to right which causes the logo to slowly shine as well.

FX/SFX: The line wiping in.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on Criterion DVDs from this era. Examples include Seven Samurai, Kagemusha, Three Women, Making Close Encounters, The Ruling Class, and RoboCop, among others.

Editor's Note: None.

6th Logo (December 11, 2007- ) The Criterion Collection (2006)The Criterion Collection (2008) - 16:9

Logo: On a black background, a ring made of several tones of grey spins around, with the shapes getting different shape sizes. As they spin, "THE CRITERION COLLECTION" in grey slides up on its side before entering the ring, turning black as it enters it. It curves along the top edge and then disappears under one of the layers. As the rings slows to a halt, the darkest grey section splits and all the sections slide into each other, forming the current logo (which is a "C" tilted at about a 45 degree angle) in a solid grey color.

FX/SFX: The ring spinning, the name going up and disappearing, the forming of the logo.

Music/Sounds: None; although it used a portion of the 1997 Universal Fanfare at one point, due to goofy plastering. It does fit the logo, somehow.

Availability: Currently used on Criterion DVDs/Blu-rays such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Paris, Texas, Blow Out, The Honeymoon Killers, and The War Room among others. It first appeared on the 2007 release of Two-Lane Blacktop, while the print logo debuted on the single disc reissue of Faces. The plaster variant can be seen on a Blu-Ray release of Quadrophenia.

Editor's Note: None.