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?

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | admiral | klingon | star trek | warp speed | 

---

Taglines:

The human adventure is just beginning

---

Genres:

Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

---

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

Orson Welles narrated trailers for the film.

---

Goofs

When the USS Enterprise is seen leaving spacedock bound for Vger, the Earth is shown in the background as the sun slowly rises behind it. Since this appears to be a stationary camera facing towards the ship, it should not be possible that the sun can be seen 'rising up at dawn' from this position in outer space. Only an observer on Earth or a camera leaving earths gravity would see this view of the sunrise.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Referenced in Biography: Leonard Nimoy: Spock and Beyond (1996)

User Reviews

The Most Beautiful Science Fiction Movie Period....

**No Spoilers**

I think Orson Welles said it best in the trailers for this film.

"It will startle your senses. Challenge your intellect. And change your perception of the future....by taking you there."

Indeed it will and does.

Let me start off by saying, by all means: You don't have to be a fan of Star Trek to get into this movie. I'm not. Just watch it, and the motion picture will do the rest. I've been told countless times that Star Wars is the greatest Sci-fi film of all time. I'd like to correct those people. Star Wars is the greatest "action and special effects sci-fi film" of all time. Nothing more....and nothing less. I'm a big fan of Star Wars. It was my favorite sci-fi movie--even beating out Alien, 2001, and Starship Troopers.

That was until I saw this film. I remember right after watching Star Wars that I felt good inside because it was a rush that one can only get--from eye candy. Star Trek: The Motion Picture gave me a different rush--a more profound touch that made me realize movies can have a deeper meaning. Much like 2001, this deals with life....actually more about the "meaning" of life. The purpose of existence. Some of the best quotes in cinema history can be traced to this film. My favorite line is from Spock. It pretty much sums up the theme of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

"Each of us, at some point in our lives, turns to someone - a father, a brother, a God - and asks, "Why am I here? What was I meant to be?"

One thing that really stands out in Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the musical score by Jerry Goldsmith that makes me wonder if it was blessed by God. Star Wars could never get me to buy the soundtrack on CD. This movie has. I wonder why this didn't win an Oscar for best score.

Now to the plot:

When three Klingon (Alien) Starships are attacked and erased from existence by a vast giant omnipotent cloud, drifting in space; a close by Star Base finds out that not only is the cloud headed directly towards them, but is also on a direct path for Earth. The Star Base in question (The Epslion 9) sends a message to Star Fleet for a Starship to be sent and prevent it from reaching Earth.

The only Starship in enough range to stop the cloud in time is none other than the famous Enterprise from the infamous 1960s television series. The Starfleet legend and hero Captain Kirk and the rest of his crew from the also famous five year mission of the show, make a comeback for one last mission (and many more later, but those are other movie reviews).

Before the crew can start on their mission, they patch up old wounds put aside their anger for each other to face the menacing unknown that awaits them, realizing this may be the last time they speak to one another...alive.

Not much is known about the cloud or why it is erasing everything in it's path from existence; other than what Spock, the science officer of The Enterprise, has sensed from it....

"It only knows that it needs, Commander. But, like so many of us, it does not know what."

Suspense eats away at you when the final showdown between The Enterprise and the intelligent vast cloud finally comes. And the movie doesn't stop their. Like I said, the movie talks about the meaning of life.

If you can, buy the director's cut on DVD or VHS. This IS the most beautiful science fiction movie you will ever see.