1979 ST Motion Picture premiere

[Greg Cox]

Not my favorite Trek movie, but, yes, Spock's character arc is one of the best and most lasting parts of the film. He's supposed to be colder and more remote when he first rejoins the crew--to the extent that Kirk and the others are somewhat taken aback by his aloofness. It's not until after he mind-melds with V'Ger that he comes to term with his emotions and warms up again, becoming more like the Spock we remember.

And this changed attitude is arguably the one bit of TMP that carries through to the subsequent movies.

And getting back OT, the movie now suffers in comparison to KHAN, but I still have fond memories of seeing TMP on that opening night long ago, in a theater packed with thrilled Trekkies who had been waiting years to see Kirk and the Enterprise again.

 

[Joanna McCoy-Kirk]

I had just started college in December 1979 and I will never forget driving 20 miles in the pouring rain to the Cinema Twin theater in Muscle Shoals, Ala., to see TMP. I don't remember how many people were there, but I do remember being surprised the movie was rated G.

 

[Doug Otte]

I'm from the DC area, and for some reason I thought the premiere was at the Uptown. I was away at college, so I didn't go, but this is shocking news to me.

 

[Drusilla's valet]

Your opinion, and your loss. IMHO, the film is one of the best in the STAR TREK canon. It's not a shoot-'em-up running and jumping movie like today's Trek's are. Instead, it's a thinking-person's movie, well more in line with the original TV series. I'll watch it anytime and in any iteration - the theatrical version, the TV version, or the director's cut.

*Note, I had to delete a quoted word due to the carefully delineated rules of the Forum. I wouldn't want to get in trouble, even though the word in question wasn't mine.

**Further disclaimer, it was my error that caused me to misunderstand the use of the term "F-word" in the posted rules. T'Bonz has amended that and I've apologized for my error in misinterpreting the rules.

A thinking man's movie? How about a thinking boy's movie? I was a boy when I saw it and it occurred to me it was a dressed-up rehash of The Changeling.

I'm inclined to lean with those who were disappointed. The fly-by was just big screen masturbation. As a thinking boy......I became bored about 1 minute into the stroking.....waiting for some type of true story to take hold.

 

[Noname Given]

Saw it first run at the Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood (was 16 just got my license and borrowed the family car.)

LOVED the opening sequence (and music) with the Klingon Battlecruisers and the V'Ger cloud.

As the film progressed, it was more and more disappointing. Yes, the visuals were amazing; but the characters (and overall character interaction) from the TV series was gone or sterilized. Also, it became pretty clear that for all the amazing visuals, this was just a $40 million (which was the most expensive film ever made to date in 1979) remake of the TOS second season episode "The Changeling".

For myself I also hated the Bridge redesign, and the interiors (with the exception of the Engineering Room); HATED the new 'pajama' uniforms; and wondered why they replaced the round Federation Warp Nacelles on the refit Enterprise with Warp Nacelles that looked like they came off of a Klingon D7 Battlecruiser?

I wasn't unhappy that they did the film, or that I had taken the time to go see it; but aside from the opening sequence with the Klingon ships; I hoped that if it got a sequel, they'd take a closer look at the actual series and not try to be so serious all the time.

 

[MGagen]

Saw it opening day, but not the first showing. My friend and I, just out of high school and both die-hard trekkers, were at the front of the line, right outside the door of the auditorium as the previous showing was wrapping up. Just before the titles were set to roll, an usher walked up and propped the door open. Our first glimpse through the open door was the final shot of the Enterprise as she majestically passes over the camera, which rolls to keep her in frame, and suddenly goes to warp. We looked at each other with eyes bugging and mouths agape.

I loved the film, but was conscious of its not very Trek-like tone. The early Klingon scenes and the introduction of the Enterprise were great, but then it settled down into trying to be a new 2001 or something. I missed the camaraderie of the characters -- who were written as if they were on edge and uncomfortable with each other.

I also disliked how slowly it was paced. Years later, some wag renamed it Star Trek: The Motionless Picture. That seemed about right.

 

[UnknownSample]

A thinking man's movie? How about a thinking boy's movie? I was a boy when I saw it and it occurred to me it was a dressed-up rehash of The Changeling.

I'm inclined to lean with those who were disappointed. The fly-by was just big screen masturbation. As a thinking boy......I became bored about 1 minute into the stroking.....waiting for some type of true story to take hold.

I was 21. I was stunned at how empty and bad it was. The circling around the new Enterprise in space dock was just so obviously demanding that we be impressed and enthralled when nothing was actually going on. A bad sign.
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I'll say one positive e thin g -- the actors were acting. They were really trying, because this was their chance to revive their careers. TWoK is an obviously much better film, but not because of the acting. Their positions were more secure. Fans were thrilled if they just showed up.
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The effects were Star Wars style, so it was like watching a more sedate Star Wars. The story, half Nomad, half a really bad copy of 2001. The dialogue was so empty that it's like one's brain is being put to sleep listening to it.
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I dislike the movies. They're an emptier, simpler, far less adult imitation of TOS.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I saw it in the theater. I was 13.

Hated it. Still do. I find that movie to be completely unwatchable.

I have seen it twice. Once in the theater when it came out where other than seeing everyone again at long last I was really quite taken aback at how boring it was.

The second time was many years later, had the dvd.. thought it really weird when I'd seen each series multiple times and i watched Nemesis which I did not like at least once a year that I'd never rewatched TMP! Obviously my younger self was an idiot and I was in for real treat seeing it fresh, forgotten, almost new Trek!

Nope. Still godawful.

 

[johnnybear]

I dislike the movies. They're an emptier, simpler, far less adult imitation of TOS.

I wouldn't say I don't like them but I agree on the emptier version as you say compared to the show! It's like the lightning has gone!

 

[One Lucky Red Shirt]

I had the world premiere of TMP as a kid in our family living room on an old rca color tv in the mid 80s. The special longer cut vhs version. Sat in the bright yellow couch with a coke n had a good movie night. As a kid the movie was so good. I still love it, especialy the music n the klingon battle. But it does seem to drag at times.

Im sure a lot of us grew up watching the special longer version. Damn shame they wont release that version on blu ray in widescreen..

 

[Noname Given]

I
Im sure a lot of us grew up watching the special longer version. Damn shame they wont release that version on blu ray in widescreen..

IMO - the 'special' longer version is even more slow and boring then the theatrical cut.

I WILL say that the remastered TMP 'Director's Cut' (that also has finished effects shots that were more what they wanted for the theatrical cut, but did have time to complete due to the hard release date demanded by Paramount back in 1979) makes trhe film A LOT more watchable.

I wish they'd put that verison out on Blu-Ray, but they'd have to redo all the CGI they had for it at HD resolution because it was done specifically for the DVD at standard 480P.

 

[johnnybear]

The original series was so classy but with the movies it was like the actors were trying either too hard or not hard enough! That dare I say it the essential magic was gone?
JB

 

[One Lucky Red Shirt]

Oh yeahs. They should just release both the special longer version and the directors cut on blu ray so we can all have our own world wide premiere.

 

[UnknownSample]

The actors actually acted, unlike in the later, sometimes better movies. The problem was that the film wasn't smart. Science fiction needs to be. They should bring in a great SF author with an original idea, and have it be primarily about that. Trek at some point became more about itself, than about what's "out there"... its characters, its internal history, careers, whether Spock has a cold... TMP on the surface seems like it's dealing with "out there" but in such a bland, empty way that it probably killed any chance of doing it in the films again.

 

[johnnybear]

Shatner was okay in TMP but he tended to get worse as the films continued only getting better with TUC! Kelley didn't seem to have the warmth that his character had in the series and really seemed out of it, only Nimoy could be said to be exploring his role with each movie and maintaining his style of the Spock id!
JB

 

[Spock's Barber]

I was thrilled when I heard that TMP was in production. Finally, a new ST episode! I fell asleep half way through this slow motion film during the endless V'ger flyover. When I woke up, the Enterprise still hadn't reached V'ger. C'mon, put it in warp drive and get on with it! I don't hate the flick, but it was very disappointing.

 

[publiusr]

I also have found memories. A brief thundershower enhanced things.

 

[kkt]

The movies have to overcome a lot to be good. They have to be watchable by people who are not trek fans, so there's a whole lot of backstory that's going to be old news for fans. Movies have to be watchable by 100 million viewers, while a TV show is happy to get 10 million. Fans are going to remember that they did a similar plot in a past show.

 

[Keith1701]

Thanks for your post.

 

[Indysolo]

Again, why is this thread in the original series forum?

Neil