My Indecision Is Final: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Goldcrest Films, the Independent Studio That Challenged Hollywood

Reveals the inner workings of the film business and exposes the mismanagement, egotism, and greed that brought down Goldcrest Films

Chariots of Fire , Gandhi , The Killing Fields and A Room with a View were among the films made during its short existence (1980-87) by Goldcrest Films, the independent British studio founded by Canadian investment banker Jake Eberts. In this 678-page insider's look at Goldcrest's rise and fall, Eberts and English journalist Ilott not only chronicle the achievements and failures of Goldcrest and its producer-directors Sir Richard Attenborough, John Boorman and David Puttnam but also, in explaining movie deals and their makers, reveal what goes on at exotic film locations as well as in London, Hollywood and Wall Street boardrooms. Goldcrest Films received an unprecedented 40 Academy Award nominations and 19 Oscars, yet the studio collapsed because, according to Eberts, its production program was too expensive and risky. Extremely detailed, but thoroughly engrossing. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

If Donald Trump had not preempted the title, this could justifiably be called The Art of the Deal . It makes clear once again that filmmaking belongs far more in the arena of business than that of art. The fortunes of Goldcrest soared with such films as Gandhi, The Killing Fields, and Chariots of Fire but the end came amidst complex deals gone awry, infighting, and high-level angst. Its ten-year life is recounted by Eberts, the company's founder, and Ilott, a journalist. Although this resembles Andrew Yule's Fast Fade ( LJ 1/89) and David McClintick's Indecent Exposure ( LJ 8/82), and features some of the same people, its style is dry and exceedingly detailed and lacks the other works' narrative drive. For business and large cinema collections.
- Roy Liebman, California State Univ. Lib., Los Angeles
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.