Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (television series Star Trek) and
Alan Dean Foster (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

7 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Fantasy | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The human adventure is just beginning

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Admiral | Space | Space Station | Star Trek

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

William Shatner	...	Admiral James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
James Doohan	...	Cmdr. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
George Takei	...	Lt. Cmdr. Hikaru Sulu
Majel Barrett	...	Dr. Christine Chapel
Walter Koenig	...	Lt. Pavel Chekov
Nichelle Nichols	...	Lt. Cmdr. Uhura
Persis Khambatta	...	Lt. Ilia
Stephen Collins	...	Cmdr. Willard Decker
Grace Lee Whitney	...	CPO Janice Rand
Mark Lenard	...	Klingon Captain
Billy Van Zandt	...	Alien Boy
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Epsilon Technician
Gary Faga	...	Airlock Technician
David Gautreaux	...	Cmdr. Branch
John D. Gowans	...	Assistant to Rand
Howard Itzkowitz	...	Cargo Deck Ensign
Jon Rashad Kamal	...	Cmdr. Sonak
Marcy Lafferty	...	Chief DiFalco
Michele Ameen Billy	...	Lieutenant
Jeri McBride	...	Technician
Terrence O'Connor	...	Chief Ross
Michael Rougas	...	Lt. Cleary
Susan O'Sullivan	...	Vice-Adm. Lori Ciana (as Susan J. Sullivan)
Ralph Brannen	...	Crew Member
Ralph Byers	...	Crew Member
Paula Crist	...	Extra
Iva Lane	...	Crew Member
Franklyn Seales	...	Crew Member
Momo Yashima	...	Crew Member
Jimmie Booth	...	Klingon Crewman
Joel Kramer	...	Klingon Crewman
Bill McIntosh	...	Klingon Crewman (as Bill McTosh)
Dave Moordigian	...	Klingon Crewman
Tom Morga	...	Klingon Crewman
Tony Rocco	...	Klingon Crewman
Joel Schultz	...	Klingon Crewman
Craig Thomas	...	Klingon Crewman
Edna Glover	...	Vulcan Master
Norman Stuart	...	Vulcan Master
Paul Weber	...	Vulcan Master
Joshua Gallegos	...	Security Officer
Lisa Chess	...	Yeoman
Leslie C. Howard	...	Yeoman
Sayra Hummel	...	Technical Assistant
Junero Jennings	...	Technical Assistant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Arnold	...	Crewmember (uncredited)
Christopher Doohan	...	Extra (uncredited)
Montgomery Doohan	...	Extra (uncredited)
David Gerrold	...	Crewman (uncredited)
William Guest	...	Crewmember (uncredited)
Louise Stange-Wahl	...	Crew Member on Rec Deck (uncredited)
Bjo Trimble	...	Crewman (uncredited)
Scott Whitney	...	Vulcan Medic (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Wise

Writing credits
Gene Roddenberry		(television series Star Trek)
Alan Dean Foster		(story)
Harold Livingston		(screenplay)

Produced by
David C. Fein	....	producer (2001 director's edition)
Jon Povill	....	associate producer
Gene Roddenberry	....	producer

Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography by
Richard H. Kline

Film Editing by
Todd C. Ramsay		(as Todd Ramsay)

Casting by
Marvin Paige

Production Design by
Harold Michelson

Art Direction by
Leon Harris
Joseph R. Jennings		(as Joe Jennings)
John Vallone

Set Decoration by
Linda DeScenna

Costume Design by
Robert Fletcher		(as Bob Fletcher)

Makeup Department
Barbara Minster	....	hair stylist
Ve Neill	....	makeup artist
Fred B. Phillips	....	makeup artist
Janna Phillips	....	makeup artist
Rick Stratton	....	makeup effects
Carlos Yeaggy	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Lindsley Parsons Jr.	....	executive in charge of production
Phil Rawlins	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Kevin G. Cremin	....	dga trainee (as Kevin Cremin)
Daniel McCauley	....	assistant director (as Danny McCauley)
Douglas E. Wise	....	second assistant director (as Doug Wise)
Douglas Trumbull	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Lee Cole	....	graphics
Tom Cranham	....	production illustrator
Tom Ivanjack	....	set painter
Jack Johnson	....	production illustrator: Apogee, Inc.
Eugene S. Kelley	....	construction coordinator (as Gene Kelley)
Steven Kerlagon	....	set painter
Martin A. Kline	....	production illustrator: Apogee, Inc. (as Martin Kline)
Daniel Maltese	....	set designer
Robert McCall	....	production illustrator
Syd Mead	....	production illustrator: Apogee, Inc. (as Syd Meade)
Michael Minor	....	production illustrator
Don Moore	....	production illustrator
David J. Negron	....	production illustrator
Andrew Probert	....	production illustrator (as Andy Probert)
Ron Resch	....	geometric designs: Boston University
Richard M. Rubin	....	property master (as Dick Rubin)
Kevin Shanks	....	drapery man/floor covering
John R. Shourt	....	production illustrator: Apogee, Inc. (as John Shourt)
Jimmy Williams	....	carpenter
Maurice Zuberano	....	production illustrator
Rick Sternbach	....	illustrator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Richard L. Anderson	....	supervising sound editor
Dirk Dalton	....	sound effects creator
Stephen Hunter Flick	....	sound editor
Joel Goldsmith	....	sound effects creator
Cecelia Hall	....	sound editor
Sean Hanley	....	dialogue editor
Alan Howarth	....	sound effects creator (as Alan S. Howarth)
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Francisco Lupica	....	sound effects creator
Mark A. Mangini	....	adr editor
Benjamin Martin	....	sound effects editor (2001 director's edition)
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alan Robert Murray	....	supervising sound editor
Tom Overton	....	sound mixer
Frank Serafine	....	sound effects creator
Bill Varney	....	supervising re-recording mixer
Colin Waddy	....	sound editor
George Watters II	....	sound editor
Craig Hundley	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
John Roesch	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Donald C. Rogers	....	technical director of sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Martin Bresin	....	mechanical special effects (as Marty Bresin)
Ray Mattey	....	mechanical special effects
Darrell Pritchett	....	mechanical special effects
Alex Weldon	....	mechanical special effects
Jeffrey Baxter	....	special photographic effects (uncredited)
Courtney Dane	....	special effects (uncredited)
Kevin Pike	....	special effects: custom props (uncredited)
Ramon Sanchez	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Lindsay Adler	....	visual effects coordinator: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Larry Albright	....	effects props and miniatures
Dick Alexander	....	mechanical designer: Apogee, Inc.
Michael Backauskas	....	special editorial
Don Baker	....	photographic effects camera
Charles L. Barbee	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc. (as Chuck Barbee)
Philip Barberio	....	photographic effects camera (as Phil Barberio)
David Bartholomew	....	photographic effects editorial: Apogee, Inc.
Deborah Baxter	....	photographic effects assistant: Apogee, Inc.
David Beasley	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Lisze Bechtold	....	animation and graphics
Mat Beck	....	electronic designer: Apogee, Inc.
Mona Thal Benefiel	....	assistant: Mr. Trumbull
Thane Berti	....	photographic effects photography
Bruce Bishop	....	effects props and miniatures
Cosmas Paul Bolger Jr.	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc. (as Cosmos Bolger)
Rob Bonchune	....	digital modeler: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Robert Bonchune)
Al Broussard	....	effects props and miniatures
Steve Burg	....	visual effects art director: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Stephen Burg)
Deena Burkett	....	animation and graphics
Brent Burpee	....	systems engineer: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Glenn Campbell	....	photographic effects photography
Kathryn Campbell	....	special editorial (as M. Kathryn Campbell)
Mark Cane	....	photographic effects grip: Apogee, Inc.
Merllyn Ching	....	animation and graphics
Elrene Cowan	....	animation and graphics
Don Cox	....	photographic effects camera
Chris Crump	....	effects props and miniatures
Kris Dean	....	special electronics
Angela Diamos	....	animation and graphics: Apogee, Inc.
Jim Dickson	....	additional photography
Cy Didjurgis	....	animation and graphics
Daren Dochterman	....	visual effects supervisor (2001 director's edition) (as Daren R. Dochterman)
Mike Donahue	....	systems engineer: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Michael Donahue)
Dennis Dorney	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Roger Dorney	....	optical photography supervisor: Apogee, Inc.
Jim Dow	....	miniatures
Doug Drexler	....	digital modeler: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Janet Dykstra	....	photographic effects assistant: Apogee, Inc.
John Dykstra	....	photographic effects supervisor: Apogee, Inc.
John Dykstra	....	special photographic effects supervisor
Douglas Eby	....	photographic effects camera
Leslie Ekker	....	animation and graphics
John Ellis	....	photographic effects camera
Robert Elswit	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc. (as Robert Elswitt)
Charles Embrey	....	photographic effects gaffer: Apogee, Inc. (as Chuck Embrey)
Jon Erland	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Lee Ettleman	....	effects props and miniatures
Scott Farrar	....	photographic effects photography
Michael L. Fink	....	effects props and miniatures (as Mike Fink)
Stephen Fog	....	special electronics
P.J. Foley	....	animator: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Bob Friedstand	....	photographic effects photography (as Robert Friedstand)
Joe Garlington	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Ernest Garza	....	visual consultant
Bo Gehring	....	computer motion control system for miniatures
Bruno George	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc.
Christopher George	....	photographic effects photography
Pete Gerard	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Rick Gilligan	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
John Gilman	....	special electronics
Rocco Gioffre	....	additional matte paintings
Leora Glass	....	photographic effects assistant
Joyce Goldberg	....	assistant: Mr. Yuricich
David Gold	....	photographic effects gaffer
Philip Golden	....	photographic effects assistant: Apogee, Inc.
Phil Gonzales	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Jim Goodnight	....	special electronics
Abbot Grafton	....	optical and mechanical consultant
Kristopher Gregg	....	effects props and miniatures (as Kris Gregg)
Alan Gundelfinger	....	optical consultant
Rick Guttierez	....	effects props and miniatures
David R. Hardberger	....	photographic effects camera (as David Hardberger)
Alan Harding	....	photographic effects camera
Linda Harris	....	animation and graphics
Allen Hastings	....	plate photography: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Richie Helmer	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Jack Hinkle	....	photographic effects editorial
Sherry Hitch	....	digital compositing and cleanup: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Sherry L. Hitch)
Richard E. Hollander	....	electronic and mechanial design (as Richard Hollander)
Robert Hollister	....	photographic effects photography
Thomas Hollister	....	photographic effects photography (as Tom Hollister)
Fred Iguchi	....	special electronics
John James	....	photographic effects project manager
Don Jarel	....	photographic effects camera
Gregory Jein	....	miniatures (as Greg Jein)
Phil Joanou	....	special visual consultant: Apogee, Inc.
Paul D. Johnson	....	electronic designer: Apogee, Inc. (as Paul Johnson)
Ann Johnston	....	assistant: Mr. Shepherd (as Ann M. Johnston)
Proctor Jones	....	photographic effects assistant: Apogee, Inc.
Michael Joyce	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Nicola Kaftan	....	animation and graphics
Denny Kelly	....	photographic effects editorial: Apogee, Inc.
Deborah Kendall	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
John Kimball	....	animation and graphics
Greg Kimble	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Steve Klein	....	photographic effects editorial: Apogee, Inc.
Mark Kline	....	photographic effects grip: Apogee, Inc.
Tom Koester	....	animation and graphics (as Thomas Koester)
Don Kurtz	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Milt Laiken	....	optical consultant
Michael Lawler	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc.
Lin Law	....	photographic effects camera
Deidre Le Blanc	....	animation and graphics
Adam 'Mojo' Lebowitz	....	visual effects supervisor: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Robin Dean Leyden	....	special electronics (as Robin Leyden)
Bruce Logan	....	additional photography
Brian Longbotham	....	production kinetic lighting effects: engine room and Voyager 6 complex
Stephen Mark	....	photographic effects editorial: Apogee, Inc. (as Steve Mark)
Guy Marsden	....	visual consultant
Clayton R. Marsh	....	photographic effects camera (as Clay Marsh)
Pat McClung	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
David McCue	....	photographic effects camera
Grant McCune	....	miniatures supervisor: Apogee, Inc.
Russell McElhatton	....	photographic effects photography (as Russ McElhatton)
Mimi McKinney	....	assistant: Mr. Dykstra
Michael McMillen	....	effects props and miniatures (as Mike McMillen)
Gregory L. McMurry	....	special electronics (as Greg McMurray)
Michael Douglas Middleton	....	special visual consultant: Apogee, Inc. (as Mike Middleton)
Bill Millar	....	photographic effects project manager
Alvah J. Miller	....	electronic designer: Apogee, Inc.
John Millerburg	....	animation and graphics: Apogee, Inc.
Virgil Mirano	....	visual consultant
Harry Moreau	....	animation effects: Apogee, Inc.
Linda Moreau	....	animation and graphics
Conne Morgan	....	animation and graphics
Max Morgan	....	photographic effects camera
David R. Morton	....	digital matte paintings (2001 director's edition) (as David Morton)
Josh Morton	....	special electronics
Mike Myers	....	special electronics
Erik Nash	....	special visual consultant: Apogee, Inc.
Gerald Nash	....	optical and mechanical consultant
Ron Nathan	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Sam Nicholson	....	production kinetic lighting effects: engine room and Voyager 6 complex
Paul Olsen	....	animation and graphics
Tom Pahk	....	effects props and miniatures
Mike Peed	....	photographic effects photography
Trevor Peirce	....	animator: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Trevor Pierce)
Jose Perez	....	digital modeler: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Greg Pierce	....	animation and graphics
John Piner	....	photographic effects projectionist
George Polkinghorne	....	mechanical designer
Jerry Pooler	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc.
Stephen W. Pugh	....	visual effects unit production manager: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition) (as Steve Pugh)
Bob Quinn	....	animator: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
John Ramsay Jr.	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc. (as John Ramsay)
Lex Rawlins	....	photographic effects photography
Gary Rhodaback	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Christopher S. Ross	....	effects props and miniatures (as Chris Ross)
Steve Sass	....	electronic designer: Apogee, Inc.
Dennis Schultz	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
David Scott	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Jonathan Seay	....	photographic effects photography
Dieter Seifert	....	mechanical designer
Robert Shepherd	....	photographic effects project manager: Apogee, Inc.
Robert Short	....	effects props and miniatures
William Shourt	....	mechanical designer: Apogee, Inc. (as Bill Shourt)
Denise Shurtleff	....	photographic effects assistant: Apogee, Inc. (as Tutt Shurtleff)
Russ Simpson	....	miniatures
Dick Singleton	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Steve Slocomb	....	photographic effects photography (as Steve Slocum)
Richard Smiley	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Douglas Smith	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc. (as Doug Smith)
Nora Jeanne Smith	....	special editorial
David Smithson	....	digital file handling: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
David Sosalla	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Robert Spurlock	....	effects props and miniatures
Scott Squires	....	photographic effects camera
Mark Stetson	....	effects props and miniatures
David K. Stewart	....	photographic effects director of photography (as Dave Stewart)
Lee Stringer	....	animator: Foundation Imaging (2001 special edition)
John E. Sullivan	....	photographic effects camera: Apogee, Inc. (as John Sullivan)
Robert Swarthe	....	special animation effects
Michael Sweeney	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Richard Taylor	....	designer: Robert Abel & Associates
John Teska	....	animator: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Robert C. Thomas	....	photographic effects photography (as Bob Thomas)
Rick Thompson	....	effects props and miniatures
Ron Thornton	....	visual effects producer: Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
Don Trumbull	....	mechanical designer: Apogee, Inc.
Douglas Trumbull	....	special photographic effects director
Paul Turner	....	effects props and miniatures
Susan Turner	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Patrick Van Auken	....	photographic effects grip (as Pat Van Auken)
Don Webber	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Brett Webster	....	photographic effects assistant
Gary Weeks	....	effects props and miniatures: Apogee, Inc.
Evans Wetmore	....	electronic and mechanial design
Charles F. Wheeler	....	additional photography
Don Wheeler	....	effects props and miniatures
Greg Wilzbach	....	animation and graphics
Vicky Witt	....	photographic effects editorial (as Vicki Witt)
Diane E. Wooten	....	photographic effects photography: Apogee, Inc.
Hoyt Yeatman	....	photographic effects camera
Alison Yerxa	....	animation and graphics
Matthew Yuricich	....	matte paintings
Richard Yuricich	....	photographic effects director of photography
Richard Yuricich	....	special photographic effects producer
Darryl Anka	....	model maker (uncredited)
Chris Buchinsky	....	animator (uncredited)
Glenn Erickson	....	visual effects editorial staff (uncredited)
Mark Freund	....	optical cameraman (uncredited)
Bill George	....	model maker (uncredited)
Dave Gregory	....	special optical effects lineup & plotting: Pacific Title (uncredited)
William Guest	....	effects props and miniatures (uncredited)
David V. Lester	....	optical effects unit manager (uncredited)
Dennis Michelson	....	console display animation (uncredited)
John C. Moulds	....	optical cameraman (uncredited)
Michael Rivero	....	effects camera (uncredited)
Barry Seybert	....	visual effects (uncredited)
John Sore	....	visual effects animator/modeler (2001 director's edition) (uncredited)
George Trimmer	....	model maker (uncredited)
Marv Ystrom	....	optical effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Bob Bralver	....	stunts
Bill Couch	....	stunts (as William Couch)
Keith Lane Jensen	....	stunts (as Keith L. Jensen)
John Hugh McKnight	....	stunts
Lightning Bear	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tom Morga	....	stunt double: Leonard Nimoy in Space Suit (uncredited)
Kym Washington	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Albert Bettcher	....	camera operator (as Al Bettcher)
Michael Genne	....	assistant camera
Larry D. Howard	....	gaffer (as Larry Howard)
Bob Sorbel	....	key grip
Mel Traxel	....	still photographer
Robert A. Wise	....	assistant camera (as Rob Wise)
Bernie Abramson	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Richard Debolt	....	camera & mechanical design (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Bear	....	wardrobe
James P. Cullen	....	costumer
Agnes G. Henry	....	wardrobe (as Agnes Henry)
Mary Etta Lang	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Don Dittmar	....	color timer
Paul Hamill	....	post-production assistant: Cinema Research Corp.
Rick Mitchell	....	assistant film editor
Randy D. Thornton	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Alexander Courage	....	composer: theme "Star Trek"
Kenneth Hall	....	music editor (as Ken Hall)
Tommy Johnson	....	musician: tuba soloist
Arthur Morton	....	orchestrator
John Neal	....	scoring mixer
Fred Steiner	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Robert D. Mayne	....	unit transportation coordinator (as Robert Mayne)

Other crew
Isaac Asimov	....	special science consultant
Richard Foy	....	titles
Suzanne Gordon	....	publicist
Michael Matessino	....	restoration supervisor (2001 director's edition)
Charles A. Ogle	....	accountant
Bonnie Prendergast	....	script supervisor
John Rothwell	....	unit publicist
Susan Sackett	....	assistant: Mr. Roddenberry
Anita Terrian	....	production secretary
Jesco von Puttkamer	....	special science advisor
James Doohan	....	Klingon and Vulcan languages (uncredited)
Leonard Nimoy	....	additional writer (uncredited)
Gene Roddenberry	....	creator: original story (uncredited)
Ramon Sanchez	....	scientific consultant (uncredited)
Philip Weyland	....	stand-in (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Century Associates
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (France) (theatrical)
• Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1979) (Australia) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1983) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (VHS)
• CIC Video (1984) (West Germany) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (1995) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Pictures Corporation (Canada) (2009) (Canada) (video) (Blu-Ray Disc)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (VHS)
• René Malo Vidéo-Malofilm Video (1992) (Canada) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Future General Corporation
• Apogee Productions (as Apogee, Inc.)
• Magicam (certain models manufactured at)
• Robert Abel and Associates (certain visual effects conceived and designed by)
• Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)

Other Companies

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  grateful acknowledgment
• George Randle Co.  mechanical design
• Precision Machines  mechanical design
• Rourke Engineering  mechanical design
• B/G Engineering  optical and mechanical consultants
• Communication Arts  titles
• Polaroid  technical assistance
• Sutherland Computer  certain computer equipment by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes (uncredited)

Also Known As:

Star Trek II (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: Phase II (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: Planet of the Titans (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action and mild language.

Runtime:

132 min | USA:136 min (director's cut) | USA:143 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Klingon

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX (director's cut) | Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T | Canada:PG (Ontario - 2006) | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | New Zealand:G | Netherlands:6 (theatrical rating) | Canada:G (Canadian Home Video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Ireland:G | Netherlands:12 | Norway:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:G | USA:PG (director's cut) | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (director's cut) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Century Associates

Trivia:

Marvel Comics did a three-issue adaptation of this movie to kick-off their new Star Trek comic series. It was a good adaptation of this movie, except that they used the Memory Wall sequence instead of the Spock Walk sequence. It appears that they were using the original script as the basis for their adaptation and didn't know the Memory Wall scene had been scrapped.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Edna Glover's scene as the Vulcan Kholinahr Master was filmed with her speaking English. Only later were Vulcan words (invented by James Doohan) recorded over the original dialogue. The phonetics of the Vulcan words were chosen to closely follow the original English script so that her lips would seem to move correctly, and English subtitles were inserted with the phrasing reworded so the change would not be obvious. For example, when the subtitles say "Our ancestors cast out their animal passions on these very sands" her lips are clearly saying "Spock, on these sands our ancestors cast out their animal passions." Other examples are "Your thoughts... give them to me" [subtitle] versus "Spock... give me your thoughts" [actual] and "Your human blood is touched by it, Spock" [subtitle] versus "It stirs your human half, Spock" [actual].

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime (2001) (V)

an under-rated film

This was an under-rated film in the first version, and it is improved a great deal with the changes that Robert Wise made just a few years before he passed away. There has been a backlash against this picture, mostly for two reasons; it was not Star Wars, and it was not what people expected of Star Trek.

If you put these expectations aside, and if you also have some attention span and willingness to relax into a picture this is a remarkable experience. I often here people use words like boring, too long etc. Well yes, if we are expecting a quick-hit, film that can be digested in 90 minutes like a TV show, this is not that type of film. If we apply these standards to Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, Blade Runner, Bridge on the River Kwai, or Citzen Kane (which Robert Wise edited, none of these films would have ever been made.

If you put Star Trek The Motion Picture in context of it's scale and the craftsman involved you start to appreciate it's quality and elegance. Robert Wise does not need qualification. He brings an elegance and texture to work and life in space that StarWars has not put to screen to this day.

Star Wars even now seems like nothing more than an impressive exercise in effects and sound. It is always reminding us that it is a movie. ST-TMP on other hand departed into an "immersive experience" developed by Robert Wise, with the amazing talents of Doug Trumbull and John Dykstra, and the enormous contibutions of Jerry Goldsmith. Likewise, the photography, the scale of the sets and the editing of the film all contribute to a immersive world that saturates the viewer into the film.

You gain a lot of knowledge and appreciation of this film and the experience that they achieved by watching the Director's Edition DVD and listening to Wise, Trumbull, Dykstra, Goldsmith and others discuss the production. This was a uniquely creative and enormous effort, and considering the technological limitations, the demands of the studio, and the many demands of the Star Trek Bible that qualified the creation of the movie. I am pleased to see that other reviewers here have come to appreicate this movie many years later. I encourage the skeptics to find the time to relax and watch it on the biggest screen you can find.