How William Shatner Changed the World (2005) (TV)

Director:

Julian Jones

Writers:

Alan Handel (co-writer)
Julian Jones (writer)

Release Date:

13 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Sci-Fi

Plot:

William Shatner presents a light-hearted look at how the "Star Trek" TV series have influenced and inspired today's technologies...

Plot Keywords:

Star Trek | Computer | Technology | Cell Phone | Space

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

William Shatner	...	Himself - Host / Narrator
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ira Steven Behr	...	Himself (Writer, The Next Generation)
André Bormanis	...	Himself (Star Trek Science Consultant)
Tim Brazeal	...	Paramount Rally Organizer
Avery Brooks	...	Captain Sisko (archive footage)
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
Martin Cooper	...	Himself (Inventor, Cell Phone)
James Doohan	...	Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott (archive footage)
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf (archive footage)
D.C. Fontana	...	Herself (Writer Star Trek 1966-1969) (as Dorothy C. Fontana)
Jonathan Frakes	...	Himself
Bill Gates	...	Himself (archive footage)
Stephen Hawking	...	Stephen Hawking (archive footage)
Jayne Heitmeyer	...	Irate Home Owner
Mae C. Jemison	...	Herself (NASA Astronaut 1987-1993) (as Dr. Mae C. Jemison)
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy (archive footage)
Walter Koenig	...	Himself
Gates McFadden	...	Doctor Beverly Crusher (archive footage)
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien (archive footage)
Kate Mulgrew	...	Herself
Nichelle Nichols	...	Herself
Leonard Nimoy	...	Spock (archive footage)
Dwight Schultz	...	Barclay (archive footage)
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deana Troi (archive footage)
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data (archive footage)
Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean Luc Picard (archive footage)
George Takei	...	Himself
Nana Visitor	...	Major Kira (archive footage)
Kevin Warwick	...	Himself
Wil Wheaton	...	Wesley Crusher (archive footage)

Also Known As:

How Star Trek Changed the World (USA) (working title)
How Techies Changed the World (Australia)

Runtime:

USA:120 min | Canada:90 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG

Filming Locations:

Boulder Creek, California, USA

Company:

Handel Productions

Movie Connections:

Features "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995)

Shatner is Freaking Crazy

I like William Shatner. I like Star Trek. But this was a bit too much.

First, the show does make some valid points about "Star Trek"s influence on the world of science over the years, but only enough for about the first hour. After that, it launches into a tailspin that discusses what the other Trek franchises tried to do and how they failed.

Even during most of the first hour, it doesn't do much but bring out some scientific pioneers and make them look absolutely silly. By the time it starts trotting out familiar Trek faces, the grins will fade. You feel sorry for people who have millions of dollars as their 'beamed' places or start quoting episodes. I mean, I do it too, but if I had money, I wouldn't do it on national television.

Most of the narration is self referential, and Shatner degrades the show and himself throughout. It's amusing, but, gets kind of tiring after a while. His exuberance and sheer bounciness is the best part of the piece, don't get me wrong, but there's a point that his narration and the hyper kinetic editing just become boring.

This show really isn't for non-Trekkies. And I don't think it's even really for Trekkers if they have their wits about them. It's really just a platform for William Shatner to be crazy, and, for people who love him, that's what they'll get here.