Star Trek TMP - "theatrical version" vs. "special longer version" part 1

[@rburley204]

For whatever reason, I don't ever get tired of this movie, despite multiple viewings. I can see why, those would find it slow, but for me, it is well acted and had some phenomenal ideas behind it. I appreciate the great lengths the cast and crew went through to bring onto the big screen. The comparisons at the time, to the action paced Star Wars, was unjustified and unwarranted. The Music score is the best, by far, is the best in the entire series.

[@czdaniel1]

I think they, the studio, were trying to go more for a "2001:Space Odyssey" vibe. The long borring parts were cool the first time (and justified in the art of 2001 successfully recreating the vast empty boring isolation of space) but a horrible fail with TMP trying to copy/paste an artsy scifi film into a Star Trek mold. Thank God Meyer & Co did so well with the 2nd film and probably saved the whole franchise.

[@heinolebt1412]

yeah, Meyer, the 80s Version of JarJar Abrams! Disrespectful and no idea what Trek is about.

[@applaudtherockstar7893]

I enjoy the pace. It's a movie I put on when i just wanna relax)

[@cejaprime]

Agreed. To me this feels like a true science fiction movie.

[@johnbaptist1928]

Aye laddy!

[@trollhunter8842]

That intro brought back so many memories. For a second I felt like a kid again in the 80s. It was glorious.

[@justarandomguy1977]

Stunning side-by-side! Just fantastic!! Thank you!

[@TrekkieChannel]

Glad you like it!

[@EnigmaticPenguin]

14:05 I love that they actually put that on the air even without the set being complete...It's totally missing a matte extension.

[@TrekkieChannel]

That shot is one of the reasons why the director hated the "SLV"

[@xwingx1gt]

It was only shown it in the 4:3 ratio, so you couldn't see the uncomplete set as such

[@bwc1976]

@@xwingx1gt Even on an old school TV I remember seeing its incompleteness. But I loved it anyway.

[@starsiegeplayer]

This should have stayed out. It's jarring from a visual perspective and breaks continuity.

[@leandar]

​@@TrekkieChannel Fortunately, the DVD release fixed it.

[@Doggeslife]

I can still feel the thrill when I first saw the movie poster for the 1980 ST movie in a "Star Base One" hobby store window. Blew us all away. That was only 2 years after STAR WARS and fresh from seeing EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, so we had big expectations. We were not disappointed. No CGI yet, but Lucas brought us computer-controlled cameras in 1977 and changed the movie game forever anyway. How cool it was seeing new footage of the old crew back on the bridge for the first time since 1969 when I was nine and after watching many reruns of same. Later I stood in line for 3 hours each to see opening day showings of Star Trek 2, 3 and 4, with 'Return Of The Jedi' popping into theaters around the same period. What a great time that was to be alive and young!

[@Captain-Cosmo]

I was 13 when this film came out, and practically lived at a movie theatre my dad owned and ran. I saw this picture many times in the theatre, and quickly noticed the changed. This was somewhat common in the 70s with big movies such as King Kong and the original Jaws. It was at least interesting seeing the "new" material.

[@karlkammer3050]

Great to see the side by side comparisons of the different versions of this movie. Thanks!

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Karl Kammer You're welcome

[@Blendeture]

Thanks so much for this. I highly recommend that hardcore fans read the novelization. Among hundreds released, it is the only Trek novel written by Gene Roddenberry. And typical of any novel, it contains elements that could never make it into a film, including; a ton of background story, characters' inside thoughts, and a lot of the cut dialogue heard here.

[@eveningtsar]

An underrated film in my opinion: Slower perhaps than audiences were expecting, but thought provoking. Curiosity - rather than violence - was the source of its drama (a real sense of "What is that???") - and brains the solution to its conflicts. A rare thing in modern cinema. . .

[@speeta]

The first half of these extras are all character bits and would have been welcome in the first act of any version. The latter half is mostly needless padding and was rightly trimmed in 1979.

[@TrekkieChannel]

I fully agree

[@4everyanks748]

I loved this film back in 1979/1980 and I love it even more today than back then. Take THAT all you haters of this GREAT film.

[@Samtheman85844]

Thank you. I love the longer version of Star Trek TMP.

[@smull333]

14:07 - You can totally see the sound stage all around. How on earth did that make it in? It’s not even close to being right.

[@TrekkieChannel]

That scene is one of the reasons why the director (Bob Wise) was upset that they made an "extended version" without him.

[@thecianinator]

@Karl M probably thinks he's a pedophile

[@jwg5774]

@Smull333 That scene was meant to be inserted into a matte painting of the Enterprise hull, but because it was part of a space walk sequence that was abandoned, was never completed. That's the reason Kirk's space suit changes colors between the time he leaves Enterprise and intercepts Spock. It wouldn't take much work using CGI to complete the hull and recolor Kirk's spacesuit to match the rest of the sequence.

[@sayhitosteve2785]

@Karl M Guys, check out 3:20 crazy foretelling!

[@itsthatguy0]

So the officer checkov takes over for, pushes a button and the chair, loudly have you, turns and the arms raise out. He just sits in it and turns it himself.

[@dudujencarelli]

I'm almost positive there are extra reaction shots from the crew during the cloud and V'Ger flyover sequences, and that Goldsmith's score was reedited to take them into account. I distinctly recall the part where they cross that dark tunnel with flashes being longer.

[@JGG1701]

I believe you're right. They needed to leave that part in.

[@CollectionTHX1138]

Nice job! worth it for the ABC intro alone.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Thanks :)

[@chrischeshire6528]

TMP is my favorite ST movie. I saw it in London and I remember a scene that I have not seen in any other version. When the V'ger probe first appeared on the bridge, and blinded everybody, a security guard exited the turbo lift and fired his phaser. He was "patternized" , just as Ilya. Then the other guard came out.

[@ramairgto72]

+Chris Cheshire Thanks for sharing! When I was younger I didn't think much of TMP, it was Trek and I liked it, but about 5-6 years ago I got TMP on DVD, don't ever remember the long intro,..... the MUSIC and the STARS.... I even thought the DVD skipped to Special Features or something. Started it over, watched it.... ... stars falling away... as if we all were watching from the rear of a space traveling ship... all of us..going someplace.. .........just pondering the majesty of it all... The music, seductive, starting out soft like "innocence", "youth" ..... moving bolder... suffering loss, a mistake.., then into "proud", "confident" and finishing "unapologetic" we know us now... like the bow of a ship crashing in the waves unimpeded.... It encompassed an evolution, a journey .... a HOPE.. that we "humans".. make it truly into the "stars"... ..............and really, that IS "Star Trek" ... real aspiration for the human race... That simple into summed up ...everything Star Trek for me.

[@therealscarred2112]

I always “thought I remembered” that scene, but as this SLV was the first time I saw TMP, I eventually was convinced that I had “remembered” that scene from the Novelization of the film - thanks for finally setting my memory straight!

[@AdamKnappdoesthings]

I feel like I "remember" quite a bit of dialogue that I haven't been able to find since I watched this movie as a kid, including a quote from Bones about thousands of beings 10 stories tall.

[@richardconnold8060]

Did you watch it at the Empire Leicester Square? I tried, but it was sold out, so I went to watch THE BLACK HOLE, at the Odeon, instead.

[@user-yv4mm6bx3c]

My dad still has this original airing on tape somewhere. Poor VHS has degraded badly.

[@aaronsnyder5989]

I loved that in the introduction they had the announcer from those "Next time on Star Trek The Next Generation" teasers back in the day.

[@wadebarnett2542]

Ernie Anderson: "STAAARRR Trek."

[@GrandFunker]

I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve ever seen this in the theater. I remember being hyped for it when it came out. I was 5. I remember the Happy Meal and the comic. All the scenes I really enjoy and remember seem to all be in the longer version. It also may be why I was never down on this film as so many others are.

[@undeadknight01]

They had Happy Meals in '79? Also what a weird movie to promote to kids. My childhood happy meals were Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie in 1995 and Burger King had Pokemon in 1999

[@chindleymuffin]

Apart from a couple of alternate takes and the earlier Kirk spacewalk with the different spacesuit design, this is pretty much like the Digitally Remastered DVD edition I have with the commentary audio. There are only a couple of bits that I haven't seen before. Although the Directors Cut is my favourite, just a shame it can't be done in HD due to the effects company losing the CG models after production. The V'Ger ship near the very end looked a bit like the probe from Star Trek IV, all black, menacing and shiny.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Actually they didn't "lose" them, they were asked to do the effects only in 480i to save time / money. From what I read one of the former employees said that many of the models exist and they actually offered to re-render them in HD, but Paramount wasn't really interested

[@Clarkthek]

Wait a second, the way I understand it only the TV shows, pre-HD, have this problem as they were shot on film in television's 4:3 aspect ratio and edited on video. 480i is a standard definition aspect ratio. This movie was shot on film and edited on film in widescreen. There is no CG in this movie. All those models are physical objects that were also filmed on filmed. Film is the key here and it's why this movie and the original TV show, unlike most of the TV shows, is no problem to scan to High Definition. I just realize as I got to the end that physical models were also used a great deal on the shows as well. Perhaps you were thinking of Babylon 5 but that's whole other kettle of fish.

[@darthkurland]

TrekkieChannel they still have the original CGI elements. All that’s needed is the green light from Paramount to render them in HD.

[@Iceman2K]

The special longer version feels like a better edit for tv - there's more scenes dedicated to other members of the bridge crew.

[@ireneparkin3360]

As well as moving some scenes around.

[@thecianinator]

And more room for ads

[@hc-sb1nz]

I agree

[@tinselPixie]

I remember being neutral at best about the theatrical release I saw in the theatre but I loved the Directors Cut that was released later for me to purchase. This brings back so many memories, thanks for reminding me just how much extra characterization, plot depth and mystery were added by those extra minutes!

[@hberg321]

The special longer VHS copy also had a quick shot that was one of my favorite lines from the movie. When they realize that V'Ger thinks The Creator is a machine, Decker leans on the railing and says "of course, we all create God in our own image". It's not in any of the other versions I've seen.

[@NextWorldVR]

It's always worth a rewatch just for the music alone..

[@TrekkieChannel]

Actually I very often just watch the effects scenes with the music as a form of relaxation

[@NextWorldVR]

TrekkieChannel Have you ever seen my 'lost' episode (with all the original voices) 'Star Trek: Beyond Antares'? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHSnaqedjMqNj7M I have 18 more fully finished in audio, waiting to be animated, and I always wanted to finalize them as 3D 360° VR or 'Holodeck' episodes! ;") I think the time is now. This represented my animation ability many years ago, now I have exponentially more experience and am making interactive VR Apps (I am @NextWorldVR and @SchoolHomeVR ). I never finished the last few scenes of Beyond Antares because the Alien world was too complex to realistically render on my home computer, (and I never recieved any real support from the fan base (even after making an 'impossible' episode, even with over 1800 subscribers, even after a 2-part article by Jonathan Lane on the Axanar server: www.axanarproductions.com/fan-film-friday-star-trek-beyond-antares-part-1/ www.axanarproductions.com/fan-film-friday-star-trek-beyond-antares-part-2/) I recieved $10 here, a 10 year old computer there, but never enough to buy more than a mouse, mayve a hard drive. I have lost hope and 'given up', many times. First it was hard to convince people it was all real. That what I had was the actual actors voices in many new stories, never heard by 95% of the fans! (Buried deep in the multi-interactive games etc, most of which sold far less than 200,000 copies!) Beyond Antares was intended as a proof of concept, and should prove all that! I wish I could make them realize, these stories represent literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of 'new' (mostly, shockingly, unheard) sentences spoken by the original crew, most only heard by me and that relative handful of others who (fully) played the games from the 80's and 90's. *I would love to hear your opinion, as a legitimate representative of the Trek community,* (and with Ready Player One coming out), *do you think it is finally the 'right' time for these 18 new full length episodes I have created, to finally exist as 3D 360° VR Holodeck Stories?* Can you think of any way you could, or would be willing to help? With the advent of GPU rendering, my budget needs have plummeted from tens of thousands for many many computers, to just a few thousand, to buy 1 good machine with multiple GPUs. With that, and 18 prepared stories, I could release, (perhaps as an exclusive here? ;) ;) a new 45-minute episode (in 2D, 3D, and VR) every 4 months, for nearly 5 years. Now That's Something! One more little thing: I remade the first 10 minutes of Beyond Antares, Re-Rendered in Stereoscopic 3D as a test. Now that people have VR HMD's they might be able to see it at last! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ3IimqeotiMhbs

[@TrekkieChannel]

I have watched it now. Looks like an insane amount of work! Great stuff

[@Cubsfan-hp1gw]

The scene at 2:18 was crucial and I hate that they removed it. Edit: they took way too many good scenes out of the theatrical release.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Indeed, I think that the theatrical version is the worst paced of the 3 existing versions. The movie clearly needed a longer period for editing.

[@jwg5774]

What's always bothered me was Wise's choice to place the scene where Decker is attempting to revive Ilia's memories in her quarters earlier in the film in both theatrical and Directors cut than in the Special Edition. The extended cut clearly shows the scene was meant to take place concurrently with Spock and Kirk's space walk. In the other versions it feels completely out of place.

[@PassiveDestroyer]

I see why the scene at 8:40 isn't included in the theatrical release. Spock says that it is communicating at " one million megahertz", when he should have said "one terahertz", because they mean the same thing. The Tera-prefix to SI was adopted in 1960, so it wasn't entirely unknown. He also could have said something like "It cycles at ten to the twelfth power". Him saying "one million Megahertz" just sounds off to me. Additionally, a message at 1 THz could be only 1 mm in length, but I imagine that it'd be a short message, being that the wavelength is only 0.3 mm long.

[@eddievhfan1984]

Well, 1 milli*second*, not millimeter. If you did it as a simple 1-bit-to-1-cycle transmission, you're talking about 1Gb of data in that transmission, which is some major data rate. It's like how apparently "billion" wasn't popular until Carl Sagan emphasized it in Cosmos, or something like that. Writing sci-fi dialogue for people who aren't necessarily science-literate is HARD.

[@CaptRicoSakara]

The longer version is the one I've had recorded on VHS along with the first 6 films during my childhood. I also have the 2000 Director's Cut of the Theatrical version. Still got both versions to this day, and they both still play good.

[@marxnutz]

I always miss those additional shots whenever I see the theatrical version. And if somebody is with me, I can't help but to point it out lol

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

The extended T.V. cut is superb. If the adjusted pacing and new Fx/sound mix of the Directors Edition were added, the definitive TMP would emerge

[@TrekkieChannel]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who likes it :)

[@k1productions87]

@@TrekkieChannel For the longest time, it was the only version of TMP I knew, as it was released on VHS in the "Special Longer version" as well. When I finally saw the theatrical version, it was so unbelievably jarring

[@Maniac536]

I remember seeing this cut of the film on the VHS version I got with the other 6 films. I remembered thinking it was an improvement

[@TrekkieChannel]

I agree, I think it's better

[@MarioFunk]

This was the first version of TMP I ever saw. My mom recorded from somewhere. Always pissed me off how much more complete it is yet all I ever see is the theatrical version broadcast.

[@ANProductionsOfficialChannel]

A lot of the extended scenes you can hear the loud fans from computers lighting the bridge monitors. They didn't ADR those scenes like they did in the rest of the film. Fascinating

[@cecelial.harris9016]

I see now what it is the people want a longer version of star trek because the theatrical version is short an that is the point

[@MIDI_Player_Kion]

9:06 the chair and Mr decker

[@EternalHennessy]

Thank you for posting this.

[@nickb9718]

This movie is an excellent Trek film. Very underrated and is way better than any of the new Trek movies. Great job comparing the different versions of it. One thing though that does confuse me a bit though is that in the extended versions Spock says he senses no emotion from Vger and says he has no emotion. But later on Vger has a tantrum and is angry that he Kirk won't say who's the creator. Anger is an emotion.

[@TrekkieChannel]

I absolutely love the movie. I loved it since I've seen it as a kid on TV in the early 90's and love it still. So you can imagine my surprise when I came online and found out that many people seem to actually hate it. Regarding the anger tantrum, I always thought it's simply another small step in V'Ger's evolution, but yeah, they probably missed it during the constant rewrites.

[@nickb9718]

@@TrekkieChannel The way I was introduced to the film is interesting to me cause the first one I saw was 4 when I got the DVD as after the reboot was released and it was(and still is) my favorite. Then a couple years later I saw 2 and 3 on TV, cause 1, 2, and 3 were on tv alot. I mainly watched 2 and 3 since they had more action and while TMP was supposedly a boring film, so I was lenient on watching the whole movie as a kid. But when I first saw it a few years I loved it. I never got the flack for being long and slow at points since there were other movies that came before it that were long that critics loved. This movie is in my top 5 favorite Star Trek movies and I actually like it more than 6. I do have a theory on why Spock did not sense emotion from Vger, that maybe because of how clouded Vger was in Logic and Knowledge, it blocked any emotion sensed by Spock. Which could also be a reason for Spock later saying he should have know after his mind-meld.

[@nickb9718]

@@TrekkieChannel Also, what are your favorite Trek movies?

[@TrekkieChannel]

@@nickb9718 Interesting question. My top 3 would be The Motion Picture, The Wrath of Khan and The Voyage Home. Numbers 4 and 5 would be shared by Star Trek VI and Star Trek First Contact. The reboot movies would be very, very low on my list. Maybe I should actually do my top 10 list as a video one day

[@nickb9718]

@@TrekkieChannel Cool. For my top 3 it would be either TMP or WOK as 3, then Search for Spock because I enjoy the Klingons in it and the characters going against Starfleet to save Spock. And Voyage Home is my fav. Undiscovered Country would be 5 and Final Frontier would be 6 cause I actually like 5 and don't think its as bad as people say it is. The only TNG movie I saw was Generations(which was not a good start). I have not seen the reboot in a while but I have a feeling I won't care for it like the first time(I haven't seen Beyond or Darkness), but it'll still probably be better than Generations which is my least fav. I'll also probably sub to your channel cause I do really enjoy it and your videos.

[@atmaweapon2803]

I've been trying to find a copy of FanFiltration's TMP cut for years without luck. The Special Longer Edition was my preferred version of the movie as I owned the VHS of it as a kid. I really hope someday I can nab a copy if it even exists online anymore.

[@TrekkieChannel]

It used to be on myspleen and a bunch of other private trackers

[@speeta]

Who recalls both going to see the movie in 1979 and then watching this ABC Sunday Night Move version on its broadcast premiere?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I was born on the wrong continent :)

[@therealscarred2112]

I was only 1 during the theatrical release, but still have vivid memories of being allowed to stay up and watch this as “The ABC Sunday Night Movie” in 1983 as a 7-year-old. So... halfsies? 😉

[@MrKennymart]

I saw the original release! It had some different cuts from the official video "theatrical release". The one that stands out most was a close up of the crew coming up out of the Enterprise hull near the final scene. There was also some odd editing in places, but it was awesome to have Star Trek back

[@craigmccullough3072]

If I remember correctly I first saw this at a drive-in.... seeing it years later on ABC then on VHS/DVD I see how it evolved. From time to time I still wonder how the SFX teams got away with Kirk's EVA scene when all of the exposed set supports were visible.

[@blkmanbat]

I my self totally remember both moments!

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

At 14:05 the special longer version either has the camera to far back, o they intended to composite the shot with a model or matte painting, but you can clearly see the scaffolding holding the set together! It's suppose to be the exterior of the Enterprise!

[@TrekkieChannel]

This shot is one of the reasons why the director hated the Special Longer Version. They included the scene WITHOUT compositing it with a matte peinting. Also I think the spacesuit is different.

[@TreadwellJay]

It's always interesting to see stuff like this, because it becomes apparent why scenes are trimmed in the first place. Most of this extra footage is extraneous. These were good cuts for the most part.

[@HiromiyamotoDesuDesu]

+TreadwellJay I agree. Plus, many of the alternate takes they used take us out of close up, back into wides, which gives the scenes in question a totally different feel. Or, in cases where they replace wides with closeup, they stay on characters too long, messing up the flow of the scene. Then again, when they replace wides with closeups, they're really just keeping the same pace in the editing as was there previously, which only reinforces the slow and unmotivated editing of the original product.

[@patrickwilson1459]

Is there a download for the special longer version?

[@240ups]

80's ABC Sunday Night Movie Graphics! Bitchin'!

[@ajsliter]

The special longer version scenes were in the VHS cut.

[@TrekkieChannel]

@@ajsliter Correct. The Special Longer Version IS the VHS cut. The SLV is the only version of the movie released on home video in the 80's and 90's, it was followed by the Director's edition DVD in 2001 and then the 2009 Bluray was the first home video release of the theatrical cut (as far as I know)

[@josephmassaro]

I personally like the extended scene where McCoy pulls a command fitness review on Kirk. I wish they had kept that in the final version.

[@BrentPollard1]

Robert Wise ended up including much, if not all of the "special longer version," in the Director's Edition that likewise completed certain special effects. Unfortunately, I am trying to remember offhand if he used the same angles as the "special longer version," but the scenes are there.

[@MIDI_Player_Kion]

8:55 looks like Mr Decker First weapons station but the crewmen can

[@thefonsotube]

I'd say most, about 98% of what is here is was released around 2001 within Robert Wise's Directors cut DVD. Including updated visual effects. That may still be on Amazon actually. Would love to see a comparison between the SLV and the 2001 Directors Cut.

[@cubdukat]

You probably already know this, but the official 4K remaster of the Director's Edition hits Paramount Plus tomorrow.

[@90lancaster]

The "Special Longer Version" (aka the Extended Version) is or was the one most commonly seen on UK TV - I remember the 1st time I saw the other version and was left wondering where chunks of the movie had gone ? I've yet to see the Director's Cut. I would be wondering now what version they'd show now as people have HD & Widescreen the chopped down extended with it zoomed in would look odd on a modern TV and so would the pan and scan - so they'd either have to show the theatrical cut (which at least exits in an upscaled form) or the Director's cut which is likely 720p as that was what the max res of DVD usually is. unless they were being cheap and rendered the CGI enhancements in 540p. I do think it would be well worth while re-constructing another print though - and this time in the highest possible resolution. heck you could do that on a home PC now (and i'm not even joking) heck if they'd shot this movie in 72 MM you could make a 4K verision even an 8K version. even if it's only 32mm film - and for the effects they had to downscale it - I think some CGi post processing might be able to allow more to be seen that they ever envisioned with the negatives - if they are still around. It's perhaps to much work for CBS to care to pay for it though. But I do think it is worth doing as a cinematic re-release version. even if they can get it in a modest number of screens it would pay for the work most likely and then they'd have the best version to re-sell to TV and reissue on future HD formats. It's far from the only Movie that could do with some TLC either Disney's The Black Hole would be another good example of a film that would really benefit from some mild George Lucasing.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The theatrical cut is actually a proper 1080p scan, BUT... it was done back in cca 2000, many of sources claim that what was they used the same HD scan for the HDTV broadcasts of the theatrical version, the 2001 DVD and the 2009 Blu-ray. The problem with the director's cut DVD is that while the live action scenes look OK on modern TVs, the new CGI scenes look pretty bad. They rendered them only in 480i, and the reason is very sad - Paramount didn't want to invest too much on it. And because it's not the most popular Star Trek movie, I highly doubt that they will be willing to invest money into making a proper HD version of it any time soon. If you haven't seen it, I can recommend it. I think that the pacing is a bit better, they trimmed a lot of the scenes, sometimes they have done even things like cutting 2 or 3 frames from a shot, plus they added a lot of previously cut scenes which were pretty important for let's call it "character development". The new effects were also a pretty big selling point back in 2001, but unfortunately while they looked pretty good on the low resolution CRT screens, they look pretty bad on HD TVs. Regarding the negatives - I don't think they have them. If you listen to the commentary for the 2001 director's cut DVD, they say that they actually had to search for a long time for a usable print. Which would mean that the negatives are in pretty bad shape or lost forever.

[@thereturningshadow]

I have a 2 disc dvd of this movie I bought 15 years ago. It has the extended cut (director's cut) with upgraded SPFX including a better look at V'Ger's ship after the cloud dissipates. The bonus disc specifically have these 11 deleted scenes from the 1983 tv version as well as 5 additional scenes from the original theatrical release. Also notice Kirk's space suit changes,

[@forestwells5820]

Gotta love the You-tube algorythm. This just popped up on my "suggested" list, and now I understand why some of my favorite scenes aren't on the DVD version I have. Now I have to wonder; is there a DVD version out there that still has them?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I don't think so. I assume you have the 2001 "Director's Edition"?

[@jwg5774]

@@TrekkieChannel I personally think that, even with the added audio effects and CGI, Wise's Directors Cut is still inferior to the Extended Edition. Yes he included some of the scenes from the Extended cut but still made odd editing decisions by choosing to leave out the character moments that I believe makes the Extended Edition the more watchable version.

[@Outrider74]

Holy cow... I remember watching this broadcast... I must be getting senile.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Just old :)

[@zardox78]

11:38 "I remember Lt. Ilea once mentioning she wore that." Uh, what? Wasn't she on board for like a day? Is there some past history they're alluding to with Chapel... or (more likely) is this a remnant line from the Phase 2 script that somehow made it through even though it makes no sense in the new context?

[@roguetrooper5288]

Thanks for putting this together.

[@LegendKiller1fan]

I have a question, could you make another video series comparing the Director's cut vs The Special Longer Version? I want to know which one is more complete and visually enhanced before I buy it for my collection.

[@TrekkieChannel]

+LegendKiller1fan I plan to re-work all of my videos in such a way they would be considered undoubtedly fair use

[@FildasKirk]

Having the Director's Cut DVD I can tell you that while the Director's Cut has more scenes than the theatrical (which I have on an old and somewhat faulty VHS), this enhanced longer version has far more scenes than the Director's Cut (some scenes are missing in the longer version which are in the Cut or the scene uses different take, but the longer version is truly that: longer). I stress however, that I have the DVD Director's Cut - I do not know if they included some more scenes on Blu-Ray.

[@angelainamarie9656]

If you want to see the best version of this movie, it is the Director's Cut. Wise didn't just throw all his unused footage willy-nilly into the edit for his cut. He actually FINISHED the movie, which he was basically not allowed to do because of the ridiculous schedule. I remember the special longer edition having bad sound and obviously hack edits. The Director's Cut actually flows more smoothly and he removed the IRRITATING alert sounds and replaced them with much less distracting noises, which allowed you to really follow the dialogue. I at first did not like it but after a few watchings I realized it actually is the best. It's what the maker of the film intended, basically.

[@charlesbaxter7405]

The special edition is far better and the directors cut while it's supposedly what the director wanted, it's what he wanted when he did the DC for the DVD, his point of view would have been much different during filming. I won't even get into how no attempt was made to restore the film before the DC went to DVD

[@LegendKiller1fan]

Im still waiting for that Director's Cut vs The Special Longer Version Comparison. You didnt think I would forget did you? ;)

[@darthkurland]

This “Special Longer Version” was aired for the final time in 1995 on TNT with a special introduction by William Shatner. However, I still think that they should have consulted with both Robert Wise and Gene Roddenberry before they extended TMP.

[@darthkurland]

I believe that Shatner’s intro can still be found here on KZbin.

[@cubdukat]

That version was more or less yanked off the market because it wasn't authorized by the late Robert Wise. ABC had a bad habit of assembling their own "extended" cuts of movies without the studios' approval. Both this and "Wrath of Khan's" extended versions were done without the directors' blessing, although Nicholas Meyer eventually got around to doing his own "Wrath of Khan" Director's Edition. They stopped doing it when they ran afoul of the Salkinds, who didn't like what they did to "Superman."

[@michealtaylor1946]

Met George Takei in 1981 in Little Rock Arkansas at a convention during the run up to the premier of TMP.

[@gameoverwehaveeverypixelco1258]

i love how atmospheric the first movie was and how grand and epic it was, the music was a key component. the later movies just became boring action movies.

[@bwc1976]

This exactly! So many people hate TMP but it's always been one of my favorites.

[@ramairgto72]

wow, that ABC into ...take me back to a kid, and ... I think I watched this when it aired. Got any rare MST3K?

[@TrekkieChannel]

+ramairgto72 No unfortunately.

[@newtimetravelhyman88]

Star Trek The Motion Picture Special Longer Version Is Coming To 4k On September 6 In The Complete Adventure Set

[@StarTrooper]

I’d like to see the difference between the shorter DC cut and longer theatrical cut of the Klingon scene. I heard Director Robert Wise said he cut the scene down.

[@arktomorphos]

14:05 Wow that half finished set, when Kirk is EVA, how could they put that in the film?

[@TrekkieChannel]

That's one of the reasons why the director hated the SLV

[@alexpalmer9101]

14:05 I wonder why they pulled back that far with the camera.

[@TrekkieChannel]

There should be a matte painting covering the filming equipment. This shot is one of the reasons why Robert Wise didn't like this "Special longer version", ABC simply edited the deleted scenes back into the movie without thinking about things like pacing or finishing obvious unfinished shots

[@alexpalmer9101]

TrekkieChannel Exactly! They showed the sets and equipment around that shot, ruining the illusion. They did the matte painting successfully in Star Wars (where Obi-Wan turned off the tractor beam), so it was a viable trick back then.

[@ronniebuchanan3552]

+TrekkieChannel Problem for Star Trek: The Motion Pictures too dark picture sd old one a long time ago year 1979, never been Star Trek: The Motion Picture remake film didn't change nothing because busy are director information?

[@reynaldolunajr.6909]

I remember a scene where two security guards force Bones onto the transporter by holding his arms one each and pushing him onto the platform before letting go of him and starting the transporter. That's why he looked visibly disturbed when he materializes. And I remember seeing this on TV.

[@ct0760]

THAT was the longer??? I grew up with all this on the vhs set, and thought it was normal....

[@Rookiebatman]

Do you still have the FanFiltration version? I can't find it anywhere and I desperately want to see it. It's my white whale. I have the SLV on VHS, but Pan-n-scan just sucks so hard.

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

How did this person find the widescreen version of the SLV? And the footage looks really clear like it is HD.

[@TrekkieChannel]

It's a fan made re-creation of the SLV, not available "officially". And it's not HD, just DVD unfortunately

[@MrKennymart]

Could you tell me how to get a copy, please?

[@simonwillis1529]

I loved watching the classic films Again and again Yet the jj ones I just have no heart to watch again and again

[@TrekkieChannel]

The last Star Trek movie I personally loved was First Contact

[@bwc1976]

As a kid I grew up watching the SLV on VHS over and over and over, and it will always be the definitive version to me. Where did you find the Fanfiltration version? I can't find it in any of the usual places, and the few places that people mention possibly having it are apparently invite-only.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Sorry, I can't help you with getting an illegal copy of the movie

[@ArkansasPilgrim]

ST:TMP is my favorite Star Trek film, but one thing it didn't need was a "longer version". Even the Director's Cut could use with some more trimming.

[@captaincorleone7088]

Cool video and thanks for the comparison. :) BTW... ABC TV didn't create the Special Longer Version, it was done by Paramount themselves (without the consultation of Robert Wise) for the TV market and they also sold it to other TV networks over the years including ITV, the BBC and TNT. Also, it was released on more than just LD and VHS.

[@TrekkieChannel]

+CaptainCorleone Glad you like it. Can I ask on what it was released besides LD and VHS?

[@captaincorleone7088]

Yeah sure: Betamax, VHD and VideoCD.

[@Lancero1013]

+CaptainCorleone But, correct me if Im wrong, it was released as pan and scan only, not widescreen. There has never been a longer version widescreen commercially released.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Correct. This is a fan re-creation done by "FanFiltration". If I remember correctly the soundtrack on his DVD is directly from the laserdisc, the video is from the director's cut DVD

[@captaincorleone7088]

Lancero1013 The SLV was shown in widescreen (albeit cropped from the 2:35.1 OAR) by BBC Three during the 2000s. Not a commercial release but still a "widescreen" airing.

[@OpenMawProductions]

There are a few bits and pieces I really like that get chopped out of most versions. Sulu's surprised/relieved "The new screens held!" Uhura's tense distress call to Starfleet "This is The Enterprise, we are under attack!" McCoy's "A crew of a thousand ten miles tall" that exchange is very sufficient at articulating just how damn big the thing is. A lot of the character bits are actually good. They are not the first thing i'd be cutting from the film. I'd cut all the stuff with Sonak and the transporter, i'd trim down both the cloud penetration and the flyover. I'd trim down the 7 minute fly around of the Enterprise. But i'd keep the character stuff. After all, the movie is about exploring the meaning of life, not about staring at slowly staged and slowly paced visual effects sequences. I think that's why I like some of those quips. They show more emotion and humanity and give the movie more life.

[@TrekkieChannel]

+OpenMawProductions I personally love the fly around the Enterprise, both the music and the visuals are simply wonderful. But I agree with you regarding some of the more "funny" lines, like the 10 miles tall comments.

[@old4mat]

If I thought for a second I could make my own personal edit of TMP, I too would scrap the entire Commander Sonak character.

[@shadowedmultiverse]

The first 6 movies were released as a VHS set in widescreen as well as pan and scan, was TMP in that not the '"special longer version" or what?

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Fred Pelhay Not sure really

[@Lancero1013]

+Fred Pelhay No, the longer version has never been released in widescreen 1.85:1 AR commercially.

[@old4mat]

When I first saw 14:03 as a little kid, I didn't understand what I was looking at. My first thought at the time was: Why is the Enterprise all bars? Having said that, whether it's a goof or not, I enjoy looking at it. Stagehand and all. :) On top of all that, Kirk chasing Spock was always my favourite of all the deleted scenes.

[@Markperry123]

When Robert Wise went Back and did the Director's cut a lot these scene where put back in the ones that where not they included them on disk 2 the bounce disc, it sucks that on blu ray release they didn't include both versions but i herd a lot of the re editing was lost after release of the dvd

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Mark Perry The whole video was of the Director's cut, including the new CGI effects scenes was finished only in 480i. So they would have to re-create all the new CGI scenes in 1080p and Paramount wasn't willing to pay for it

[@Trek001]

Why are some scenes in the original/ABC cut blurred in the background? Its very noticeable on the Bridge

[@TreadwellJay]

+Trek001 Many shots were filmed using a lens called a "split diopter", where the focus is different from one side of the lens to the other. It's a way of having a foreground element in focus on one side, and the background in focus on the other.

[@alexrebmann1253]

My favorite of all the ST movies.

[@VCYT]

1:00 -- SYSTEMS OVERLOADING - so he did say it !

[@JRJohnson1701]

Can you compare these two to the Director's Edition DVD we got that did involve Robert Wise?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I made a comparison between the theatrical BD and the DC DVD. Or do you mean a video comparing all 3 versions at once?

[@joelleon5738]

+TrekkieChannel Is there a video comparing the "directors cut" with the 1983 "longer/ abc version" ?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Sorry, nope.

[@joelleon5738]

+TrekkieChannel Would you do it ?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Yes, I just have to find a way how to do it without CBS or Paramount taking it down or blocking it worldwide, or outside the USA.

[@reynaldolunajr.6909]

Didn't two other officers force Bones into the transporter? I remember seeing a scene like that.

[@kappy0405]

Do you have a comparison of the Director's Edition to the Special Longer Version?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I definitely created one but honestly I can't remember if it's still on the channel or if it is one of the Things takes down by Paramount

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

It's bad enough that they did this without the director's participation, but 14:05 is simply unforgivable! You can even see a crew member move on the right of the screen if you watch on the deleted scenes section of the 2001 DVD

[@therealscarred2112]

Yes, the old “we never got around to making a Matte Painting for The Enterprise” shot. 😉 ...as for the spacesuit continuity error, I believe from that and the dialogue that this was supposed to be part of the “Memory Wall” sequence that was partially filmed but discarded while they struggled with writing an ended... while shooting!

[@cubdukat]

Well, if it's any consolation, that was officially fixed for the 4K Director's Edition. In fact, I daresay that was so egregious that that was probably the first shot they fixed :)

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

Who the fuck at ABC watched this film and said "ya know, it needs to be longer?" Because I love this film, I think it's the best of the Trek (TOS) films. However... "too short" or "not long enough" has never been a phrase I've associated with it.

[@therealscarred2112]

I’m pretty sure they just wanted enough running time to fit the extended 8-11pm time slot this aired in back in 1983... which I still have vivid memories of watching at my Grandparents house as a 7-year-old.

[@treadman28]

Networks paid for films by the minute, so the studios or producers would add additional footage to squeeze more money out of the networks. Networks would go for it because it gave them an edge over the home video market: exclusive footage you won't see on videocassette. That's how the super long version of Superman The Movie exists.

[@peterisnardi1197]

This is how I saw the movie for the first time, on my shitty little rabbit-ears TV on ABC...ah, memories...

[@reichbenasutti7281]

I have been trying to get the directors cut but i cant find a site that has it. Anyone know?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Try amazon / ebay

[@andrewdemetrius8090]

OK, this "Long version" was the UK TV version as well the original UK video version.....

[@TrekkieChannel]

If I'm not wrong all of the VHS and laserdisc releases were the SLV, than the DVD had the Director's Edition and the Blu-ray release was the first release of the theatrical version on a home video format

[@player3productions502]

was there never a dvd release of the longer version?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Only Laserdisc and I think VHS

[@thecianinator]

2:40 Stuff like this is why George Takei was mad they made Sulu gay in Star Trek Beyond, this scene is absolutely precious because of the effort he puts in to acting like a straight guy who's nervous around a pretty lady

[@TrekkieChannel]

Sulu was straight in TOS, and should ALWAYS remain straight. They want to have some gay character on the show? I'm cool with that, but CREATE A NEW CHARACTER dammit. I'm sick of all of the race bending/gender bending/sexual orientation bending, what's wrong with creating something new instead of changing something old? That's just lazy.

[@thecianinator]

@@TrekkieChannel or at least have a throwaway line/shot establishing he's bi

[@steve2275]

0:38 i remember those 1:41 the vulcans eyebrow years before the rocks peoples eye brow LOL 4:57 if only the slv had the original colors

[@Jackal_El_Lobo34]

The directors cut really should be transferred to HD.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Absolutely. But that would mean Paramount would have to invest into new visual effects, the new effects were back in 2001 rendered in 480i

[@jhon4101]

I knew I wasn’t crazy, I remember these scenes when I was a kid watching it on VHS but now that I watch it on paramount plus It feels like parts of the movie are missing

[@TrekkieChannel]

There are 3 versions. 1) - theatrical version, never released on home video until 2009 on the Blu-ray release, 2) - the VHS/LD version, and 3) the DVD version, which is very similar to the VHS/LD version, it added the "flashbacks" and made a very small number of trims

[@irritablearchitect]

WTF ever happened to the Sunday night movie at ABC? Forgot ALL about this!

[@Monkofmagnesia]

10:19 - was it originally edited out because it was unintentionally funny?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Why "unintentionally"?

[@Monkofmagnesia]

I di dnot think it was intnetional because it destorys the tension the scene was trying to set up (and may be why it was delted)

[@HiromiyamotoDesuDesu]

To be honest, I've always felt there was already too much movie to begin with, so the addition of twelve minutes would really just make the movie drag on that much longer. I feel like with judicious cuts, TMP would be a lot better movie. And by Judicious, I mean cutting anywhere from 25-50% of the movie out. Unfortunately, we don't have access to the original rushes, so there's really no way to fix the slow and unmotivated editing, but I feel that with less movie there to drag the whole thing down, slow editing could conceivably be forgiven. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of the few people who actually really likes TMP. The concept is good and would have made an interesting TOS story, especially if there had been less cold spaciness and more humanity, which, arguably, is what Star Trek is all about.

[@DrummingWriterTrekfan84]

when the motion picture was released on dvd for the first time, it came out as a Directors Edtition. You can find it on ebay or amazon. It's what you want Because the people who made it added all the special effects it was supposed to have and edited the movie properly to keep it from dragging. Trust me it's sooo worth buying!!! :)

[@patrickwilson1459]

I wish I could find a link or something so I could download this version of the movie.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Sorry, I don't want to get into any legal trouble

[@patrickwilson1459]

I understand that. I do know one way to get it but this is difficult: Buy the Special Longer Version VHS, buy a VCR, use it to transfer the movie onto my computer, and burn it onto a DVD, which I have done before in the past with my videos of the Original Theatrical Cuts of the Original Star Wars movies before they first came out on DVD.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Let me tell it to you this way - googling is useful :)

[@patrickwilson1459]

I'll keep that in mind

[@patrickwilson1459]

@Risen General Do you have a VCR? Or just the tape?

[@rihanamorgan4497]

It's too bad it can't be on dvd this version is so much better

[@Fuzzycatfur]

TrekkieChannel, thank you for these comparisons, I bought the 4K 6 film set today only to find out about the Special Longer Cut only being in "The Complete Adventure" set for JUST the first movie, and after seeing this and part 2 to this video I see absolutely zero reason to fork out $75 to fucking $100 on that set just for this one version, it's on a shared disc with the Theatrical cut in that set and that's the disc they _SHOULD'VE_ included in the 6 film 4K set instead of just the Director's Edition disc and the Theatrical Cut disc with the Special Longer Version cut out of it. I'm not gonna spend another $100 for some added Ilia crap and some physical riff raff I don't have room to collect anyway, any footage that's worthwhile in the Special Longer Version is already in the Director's Edition. My analysis? Don't let Paramount fuck you over with this, don't bother with it. Just get the 6 film 4K set so you have the Director's Edition of TMP, Director's Cut of Wrath of Khan and Director's Cut of Undiscovered Country and call it a day. More value for miles.

[@ggeorge747]

I love that shot of Kirk exiting the Enterprise where you can see it's all a set. Why on earth did the Longer version include that unfinished scene!?

[@silvereagle2061]

+Greg George I remember the first time I saw that scene. Couldn't believe this wasn't edited out.

[@jtkirkfan2002]

+Gregory George That scene came from the entirely aborted "memory wall" sequence. The rest of the ship would have been added in special effects. In that version, Kirk followed Spock into the heart of V'Ger and had to be rescued by Spock when he was attacked. Doug Trumball suggested the sequence that was finally used with Spock going in alone and instead of a "memory wall" finding the giant representations of V'Ger's journey. This was one of the final shots done and even the space suits were redesigned. If you watch the ABC version all the way through and pay attention, you'll see that Kirk' space suit changes.

[@BrentHarmon]

Forgot the Transport Malfunction scene?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I don't think so - was there something changed? I at least don't remember any change

[@BrentHarmon]

Well part of the scenes are missing like Theatrical and Special

[@danielcox3152]

Will you do a comparison between the Director's Edition and "Special Longer Version"?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I don't know yet. I started to do "The Versionist" series in which I plan to cover all episodes and movies in the order in which they were produced (plus some non-Star Trek stuff too, mainly the Star Wars movies). I go MUCH deeper in that series than I did with these old comparison videos and probably will compare theatrical and "special longer" versions and then the SLV with the DC

[@danielcox3152]

will you do Versionist of all 80 episodes of TOS or just the pilots?

[@TrekkieChannel]

I want to do TOS, first 4 TOS movies, and then continue with TNG and the rest of the TOS movies. And in the case they will release DS9 and VOY I will of course continue with them.

[@danielcox3152]

wow lots of work

[@TrekkieChannel]

I know :-)

[@patrickwilson1459]

I just got the new 4K set including all 3 versions of the movie. It’s good to have them all.

[@Fuzzycatfur]

Honestly should've just gotten the 4K 6 film collection and ditched this one cut, any worthwhile added footage is already in the Director's Edition

[@patrickwilson1459]

@@Fuzzycatfur So which version of the first movie do you prefer?

[@Fuzzycatfur]

@@patrickwilson1459 Director's Edition. Has all of the added material that's worth anything from the special longer edition and then some due to the added CGI effects for the Director's Edition.

[@patrickwilson1459]

@@FuzzycatfurThis version I prefer as much as the original theatrical versions of Superman 2, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the original Star Wars Trilogy, however I do prefer the Director’s Edition of Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. Which versions of all those movies do you prefer?