Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

When a destructive space entity is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral Kirk resumes command of the Starship Enterprise in order to intercept, examine and hopefully stop it.

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (television series Star Trek), Alan Dean Foster (story),

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Shatner	...	Captain Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
James Doohan	...	Scotty
George Takei	...	Sulu
Majel Barrett	...	Dr. Chapel
Walter Koenig	...	Chekov
Nichelle Nichols	...	Uhura
Persis Khambatta	...	Ilia
Stephen Collins	...	Decker
Grace Lee Whitney	...	Janice Rand
Mark Lenard	...	Klingon Captain
Billy Van Zandt	...	Alien Boy
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Epsilon Technician
Gary Faga	...	Airlock Technician

Storyline

An alien phenomenon of unprecedented size and power is approaching Earth, destroying everything in its path. The only starship in range is the USS Enterprise--still in drydock after a major overhaul. As Captain Willard Decker readies his ship and his crew to face this menace, Admiral James T. Kirk arrives with orders to take command of the Enterprise and intercept the intruder. But it has been three years since Kirk last commanded the Enterprise on its historic five year mission... is he up to the task of saving the Earth?

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Plot Keywords:

alien | admiral | klingon | warp speed | spacecraft | 

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Taglines:

Not owning it would be illogical (DVD release)

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Genres:

Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sci-fi action and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Startrek.com

Country:

USA

Language:

English Klingon

Release Date:

7 December 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Star Trek II

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$82,300,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Century Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min 136 min (director's cut) 143 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX (director's cut) Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was the basis for McDonald's first movie based Happy Meal.

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Goofs

AS we look through the window of the Floating Office Complex from the outside, there is no Travel Pod docked in the dock (next to the window). Moments later, after Admiral Kirk beams aboard, he and Scotty enter a Travel Pod docked at that dock.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Klingon captain: [giving an order in Klingon] Tactical...

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Connections

Referenced in EastEnders: Episode dated 5 March 2010 (2010)

User Reviews

At Last The Definitive Version!

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition"

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" is by far the most important of the series and in my opinion also the best. This Director's Cut has improved and tightened the 1979 theatrical release to create a truer version of the director's original vision. In most cases Director's Cuts ruin the original Motion Picture they set out to improve, yet this film is the exception. What Robert Wise did here was very necessary and it has been accomplished with great reverence for the original material. This is now the authoritative version of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and justly so.

What I admire about this first incarnation to the big screen is the faith that Robert Wise obviously has for his audience. Scenes are purposely slow which allows the atmosphere of the film to wash over the viewer like a warm bath rather than being bombarded by action and explosions as in the second of the Motion Picture series.

There are obvious references to Stanley Kubrick's 2001:A Space Odyssey (1967), which I admire because to want to aspire to those heights and nearly succeed can only be regarded with respect.

I have to say that the production design by Harold Michelson has never been bettered. The scope of his sets gives real life and location to the interior of the Star Ship Enterprise. The gathering of the whole crew in the lounge for example or Kirk emotionally trapped in his quarters by the dark glass sliding doors. The bridge of the Enterprise has never looked, sounded or functioned better. (It would have been nice to hear the old sliding door sounds!)

A criticism would have to be levelled at the costume design, which I found uninspired, dreary and slightly camp. Decker's skin-tight body suit reveals more than modesty should allow! I suppose underwear is obsolete in the 23rd century? Kirk's sleeveless white shirt is quite off- putting, as I couldn't stop staring a William Shatner's extremely hairy arms. Yet these are my only criticisms. I really enjoy this film and have done so since its release. This version finally completes an unfinished work and improves upon it to such a degree that Trekkies will have to reevaluate yet again which is the best of the Motion Picture series. As for me apart from the original series this is Star Trek's finest hour!