Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan - Theatrical vs. Director's cut

[@maryhlad5277]

The loss of Scotty’s nephew, Peter Preston, broke my heart. To see Scotty devastated hurts.

[@danmcdaid]

Doohan really sells the moment, doesn't he? Like a lot of the Trek cast, a talented and undervalued actor.

[@Drakesonone]

@@danmcdaid He is a Father in real life right? So it maybe easy to get into at mindset as it think what happen if he lost his son right?

[@scott.c9587]

I had no idea that was Scotty's nephew. I was wondering why he had so much feeling for the trainee.

[@maryhlad5277]

@@scott.c9587 Peter Preston was the son of Scotty’s sister.

[@wahoo236]

If you like that, read the actual novel. Peter staying at his post, kept the enterprise from being destroyed

[@kylej741]

My biggest beef was erasing the fact that Preston was Scotty’s nephew. It made the movie more......human.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Before I have seen the director's cut I always wondered why Scotty brought a random dying guy on the bridge

[@kylenegus165]

The director's cut adds more depth to the story without sacrificing momentum. 2 priceless scenes that would have been tragic to leave on the cutting room floor: Bones and Spock arguing about genesis and Scott's emotional exit after the death of his nephew. These scenes gave these good actors a chance to show that they have a greater range of abilities than most people took them for. Truly, the best of Trek...

[@karlsmith2570]

Indeed, it explains why Scotty was so upset about the death of the trainee who stayed at his post while the rest of the trainees ran

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I remember having read some Star Trek Books as a kid and only THERE found out that Peter Preston (Or Prescott.. never understood it that well) is actually Scotty's nephew. Which really surprised me since it was never mentioned once during the Theatrical cut. Years later, back in 2003 when the Directors Cut DVD came out and i finally saw the expanded scenes it was so amazing to see it because it really belongs into the film. And also makes Scotty's reaction to the loss of that cadet a lot more understandable.

[@mikesmovingimages]

That was one of the scenes I always disliked, Scotty showing up on the bridge with the body of Prescott, who we discover later wasn't even dead yet. What did he hope to accomplish by going to the bridge? Why not go directly to the infirmary? That wouldn't happen even on the most undisciplined ship in any Navy. It could only serve one purpose: to embarrass Adm Kirk, something the real Scotty would never do, even in a moment of personal anguish. Instead of expanding on that by revealing his relation to Prescott, the entire subplot should have been cut. It's a minor quibble: Wrath of Khan is a film I very much enjoy, and at least they did not change important scenes.

[@avenuePad]

I disagree. The DC saps the movie of momentum and in some cases completely ruins the tension, ie. Carol Marcus telling her staff that they're leaving Regula One. It completely takes away from the mystery and tension of the landing party scene with Kirk, Saavik, and McCoy.

[@steviep51guy]

I agree with those scenes, also the one shortly after Scotty leaves sick bay. Kirk and McCoy are talking, McCoy says “ you gave as good as you got”. Kirk then says “ were only alive because I knew something about these ships he didn’t”. That really makes Kirks star fall to earth. It shows he’s just a guy that got lucky. That humanization was perfect. I’d have loved to have seen that when I was a 12 year old who idolized Capt. Kirk. I think that realization for us younger fans in the audience at that time would’ve been very cool to experience. Just my opinion.

[@Wyllies11]

"I only use it for medicinal purposes": That line has never ceased to make me laugh.

[@kurtsnyder4752]

McCoy hadn't got his stash onboard as yet and we do not know if Scotty has his still set up yet either.

[@fredocarroll]

The added scene at 6:59 cuts even deeper in the novel. There, it's established that Scotty's nephew Peter not only stayed at his post, but thereby rerouted power and kept the ship from going dark completely. So, Kirk says, "We're alive only because I knew something about these ships that he didn't, and because one fourteen-year-old kid..." and there he trails off, unable to continue. Peter Preston was barely a teen in the novel.

[@shaund.2273]

A great novelization by the late Vonda McIntyre, one of the best Star Trek fiction writers ever!!!!!!

[@Parallax-3D]

14 in the novel? That’s bullshit! Cadets are older than that. Who the hell did the novelization, a newbie?

[@DM-kv9kj]

A good director's cut - nicely cleaned up and the extra little scenes and even alternate takes are much better.

[@TheNinindi]

Wow, I've never seen alternate takes that arent bloopers. As a musician I find it fascinating how tight and consistent the takes are!

[@benitodee3274]

I like how the audio is not quite synced up and it makes everyone sound like Borg.

[@liontone]

I love seeing different takes side by side. It's amazing how they re-act a scene with almost precision timing.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Right? I was completely amazed when I noticed that during the editing

[@brennonguilbeau569]

Gotta love what I call Shatner's "micro-acting" like his facial expressions when drinking unfamiliar beverages...Romulan Ale and Michelob (Star Trek IV).

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Brennon Guilbeau Bill Shatner is a very underrated actor. He can deliver a very subtle but still powerful performance if he gets a good script and a good director.

[@ramairgto72]

+TrekkieChannel He's underrated period.. That guys rather smart. He avoids any political BS, he had his hands in everything from cooking to trikes .. And he quotes many philosophers ... might really BE a better Kirk then Kirk was written?! Great vids, you got a sub.

[@stupidburp]

Not that great of a director himself though.

[@lancer525]

@Brendon Guilbeau If memory serves me correctly, it wasn't really acting on his part with the facial expression post-sip. I recall hearing at a con in the mid 1980s how much of a practical joker DeForest Kelley was, and that he'd spiked the blue juice they used just ahead of that take. Meyer (the director) loved it so much that he used that particular take. I don't think anyone knows to this day exactly what Kelley spiked the bottle with, because he took it to his grave.

[@SirGalahadCtny]

Well, you mean "regular decent acting" of any actor who is better than tomato juice in cellar. I mean, if you love his acting so much, try to observe some real actors and their "micro-acting".

[@MrSnaztastic]

7:35 the dialogue between Kirk and Spock is missing on the director's cut since the 2009 release, it's only on the DVD. I don't know if Nicholas Meyer himself decided years later he didn't want to keep those lines, or if it's a literal mistake that somehow nobody at Paramount has caught in 15 years. Honestly I think it's the latter, it's a fun moment and I love Spock's "so what else is new" delivery. What really seals it for me as being an error, is that without the dialogue you just have a shot of them opening a hatch and climbing for 10 seconds.

[@MrSnaztastic]

Oh, and if you listen to the commentary track on the newer releases, you can actually hear the back and forth exchange between Kirk and Spock in the background.

[@wahoo236]

I always knew there were differences in these scenes, but this is great to see them side by side. Thank you!

[@TrekkieChannel]

You're welcome

[@u805]

I love how is zooms in on Kirk when Spock talks about ego. xD

[@docsavage8640]

A common misconception by people who don't recall Kirk's character throughout the TV series

[@speedracer1945]

No contest the Director cut . Most of the time they hurry to get their product in theaters than to take the time an rewatch scenes an see the mistakes or under studio saying to trim time off the film . I thought when the last Bluray of this film would have the scenes in it or at least both versions .

[@Vistamister]

I like the additional dialogue scenes. To me, they make the film more akin to the "feel" of the original series. I would very much like to own this version.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

It's out on Blu-ray now. :) And there is also a Directors Edition outthere on DVD from 2003 which contains these scenes as well.

[@karlsmith2570]

It also rounds out the storyline a lot more

[@TaldrenDR]

Director's cut was superior in almost every way.

[@TrekkieChannel]

I prefer it too.

[@busbettispolamalu7259]

Agreed, but your "almost" is the key word here.

[@k1productions87]

The one take I don't care for is the directors version of the Regula 1 argument. David's quieter delivery of "scientists have always been pawns of the military" just feels weird. I prefer the theatrical version of that particular scene,... and the "that's for us to know and Reliant to find out" kinda gives things away, it was better without it.

[@TaliaIGhul]

A lot of these scenes were in the television version I saw on ABC back in the 1980s. I had that recorded for several years on a VHS cassette.

[@docsavage8640]

And yet unnecessary in every way

[@theresnooneleft1169]

I almost never comment on youtube anymore but: a) this was a spectacularly well-made vid...excellent showing of the comparisons. b) it's convinced me to buy a copy of the director's cut DVD even though I already own two copies of what I now have realized are the theatrical-only versions.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Glad it helped :)

[@DannyD714]

it's "fascinating" how much the eyes forgive once you see a side by side comparison. it's like putting on a pair of new glasses for the first time and saying,"oh yeah, that's much better!".

[@jsharp1701]

1:35 I can't believe that a history buff like Kirk wouldn't know what eyeglasses were. I'm sure that's why it was originally (and rightly) edited out.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Possibly

[@Giskard1000]

That’s a good point.

[@thequarteryearman9305]

Always took it as Kirk joking with McCoy. He knew what they were but wanted to see what reaction he'd get.

[@docsavage8640]

I don't think anyone believes Kirk didn't recognize what they were. He was clearly being facetious.

[@karlsmith2570]

It's very likely that Kirk was unfamiliar with the style of these eyeglasses due to the fact that he seemed to be more of a history buff when it came to firearms than other things

[@birdandcatlover5597]

Spock's death (actually, from the moment Kirk noticed he was not on the bridge until the end) and Kirk's reaction to David's death (next movie) broke my heart

[@TrekkieChannel]

I've seen the movie maybe 20 times and it still has the same emotional effect on me as the first time.

[@NYJetsforlife]

My favorite re-edited scene is Preston’s death and the additional dialogue Kirk and McCoy have after Scotty leaves. They seem more troubled by Khan in the DC. The scene has more weight to it and doesn’t seem rushed like in the theatrical cut. On a different note, it’s hard to believe Kirk doesn’t know what reading glasses are when McCoy gives them to him. But I do like the added dialogue referring to the age of the glasses. It’s a nice touch knowing that Kirk will eventually sell the glasses at a pawn shop in Star Trek 4.

[@RevanJJ]

Have to agree with that last one particularly. The blue was intentional as it cues one into grief, loss, the darkness at the end of this movie that could (symbolically) become light with the previous sun shot.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I had the HUGE privilege to watch this Directors Cut in January 2020 during a tour of William Shatner across Europe where he talked about all kinds of things and this was also the first time to have the chance watching this film on a big screen, together with my father. :) This was 2 dreams coming true at one evening. During that scene 1:48 the audience giggled and chuckled.

[@yodathe6037]

Thank you for making this. I just got to see this in theaters yesterday and had never seen this version, and wasn't sure if the Director's cut was this version. I'm incredibly happy it is, because I didn't want to lose that watching experience ever again This is an amazing make. Thank you!

[@TrekkieChannel]

I plan to update these videos immediately after I get the new 2022 Blu-rays

[@arroberson8796]

"That young man...he's my son" Spock: "Fascinating" I'm a Star Wars guy through and through, but in my heart of hearts I believe I'm muthafuccin Starfleet.

[@Macsly56]

I just bought the 4k release of this movie and noticed that this scene was in the directors cut but was missing the dialog. Anyone else have that issue as well?

[@MrSnaztastic]

@@Macsly56 This has been a problem since the 2009 and they still haven't fixed it.

[@spikeep6141]

I never realised how ironic it was that Scottie should be the first of Kirk's crew to personally pat the price for Kahn's vendetta, as collateral damage in his quest of blood vengeance against his Captain, since Mr. Scott has originally been something of a fanboy admirer of Khan's historical accomplishments in The Space Seed. Upon having firmly established at last Khan's correct identity, Scottie is perhaps one of the only Enterprise officers present in the meeting already fully familiar with Khan's war record and historical reputation, who thinks he knows who he as and understands fully what kind of a person they find themselves confronted with, remarking "I always had a bit of a grudging admiration for this one.". Clearly such sentiment was not ever fated to be reciprocated, to put it mildly.

[@darylking265]

I remember watching this on TV once after the theatrical release had run its course. Some of the scenes from the Director's cut made the edited for TV version, including the scene where Spock mentions "The human ego"

[@cubdukat]

It was actually the other way around. Apart from going back to the original take of Saavik and Kirk in the turbolift and deleting Spock's "Fascinating" remark about David Marcus, there's little to no difference between the two. Except for a much better transfer. Hopefully this will be the version they include in the Ultra HD Blu-Ray set.

[@thereturningshadow]

If you can find it, there is third (the real original) opening title of this movie. It said "STAR TREK THE WRATH OF KHAN" There was no II in it. I remember that vividly and when I re-watched it in IMAX as the Air and Space Museum in DC one night 16 years later, they played it then.

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Returning Shadow I know some copies were like this. Also some copies of ST IV were called The Voyage Home : Star Trek aparently. Unfortunately they were not released on home video AFAIK

[@WHR17]

These scenes were also included in the network broadcast on ABC. I had recorded it on VHS and watched it about a million times. When I got the official VHS release I was surprised that these scenes were missing!!!!

[@TrekkieChannel]

Yes, the ABC cut was also done by Nick Meyer and it is very similar to the DVD version

[@Wavester64]

I remember that, but like a dummy I never recorded it :-)

[@frankschalk7790]

A lot of people experienced the same issue!

[@sandal_thong8631]

I knew they added scenes and used alternate takes for TV since I'd seen it in the theater first. The one that didn't make it into this video is an alternate cut of Savik and Kirk in the turbolift, which sounds more sultry. "Are you wearing your hair differently." "It's still regulation, admiral." Also, there's a bit more on the planet Ceti-Alpha V, with outside shots that linger and made it onto a poster. Oops, he says in a later post the TV version is slightly different from the Director's Cut.

[@cubdukat]

@@TrekkieChannelActually, that's not entirely the case. Meyer claimed initially that ABC's cut was done without either his knowledge or approval. The network was notorious for doing that.

[@hulkmeister23]

even without the reveal of Prescott being Scotty's nephew, we already kinda knew they were related, somehow; we weren't stupid.

[@karlsmith2570]

I remembered watching the theatrical version and wondering, "Why's Scotty was upset about this trainee's death?" It wasn't until I watching a documentary about this movie where they'd showed the clip where Scotty mentioned that Preston was his nephew and then it made more sense to me why Scotty was so upset

[@avenuePad]

@@karlsmith2570 Huh? You agree? The OP said that audiences understood that Scotty was related somehow to Preston. We didn't need to be beaten over the head with it, like the Director's Cut did. The editor understood this, which is why he deleted the scene. The movie works better without it because the editor gave the audience credit and respected their ability to read between the lines. So you actually don't agree and misunderstood what the OP was saying.

[@TheEmeraldMenOfficial]

I knew that from the novelization: it’s revealed later in the book.

[@kawafahra]

At 5:09, Crewman is SO dead, McCoy does not even give the usual "He´s dead, Jim." Bone´s not looking at the monitor or takes the vital signs by hand or whatever. He just lets the Guy lay back, and pulls the blanket over his face. Nobody questions the Doc at work.

[@NyuuMikuru1]

McCoy knows what was killing the kid. Not every medical knowledge could save the kid.

[@steewith2ees14]

Despite being a fan of TWOK since 1984 (I was only 3 years old on its release) and watching it at least 2 / 3 times a year STILL - I have never seen the DC and am only aware of the extra plot points (Preston's friendship with Saavik + his relationship to Scotty) due to the novelisation. I am however in awe at the surgical precision of the acting when the alternative takes are shown side to side (even the random kerfuffle aboard Regula 1 matches). Best. Film. Ever. At least equal in 1st place compared to all the other best films ever.

[@danieldb631]

I first saw Star Trek II on a recorded-from-TV VHS tape. It had all that added footage (save for a few bits involving the Ceti Eel). I later got a two-disc DVD version and saw the alternate bits. Still, nothing out of the ordinary to me. Then I got this double-feature DVD from Best Buy that turned out to contain the theatrical cuts of the two movies (The Motion picture being the first). It was so jarring to me to see the extra stuff I had gotten used to just not be there. Although, seeing some of the alternate takes was interesting. The argument on Space Lab Regula 1 sounded like a rehearsal, though.

[@sandal_thong8631]

Just seems to me like he was trying the line "pawns of the military" in a different fashion.

[@adamdemgar2798]

Whenever I watch my copy of Star Trek 2, whenever Scotty's nephew says that Kirk is as blind as a bat, I always like watching the taller kid, standing beside Scotty's nephew. Whenever the nephew is saying his lines, the other guy is standing there with strange expressions on his face, like he's either very surprised by what the nephew is saying, or like he's drunk, when he's supposed to be standing there expressionless. Hahaha

[@Wavester64]

Wow - this video was brilliantly done! Vudu is having a special on the HDC Director's cut version, and I have seen the theatrical cut so many times, I wonder what the difference were and your video answered that question. Excellent job!

[@TrekkieChannel]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it.

[@brett327]

Often confused: Color correction normalizes color across many shots, while color grading establishes the general color space within a scene. It's an important distinction.

[@georgesenda1952]

Well, they did film the Genesis planet jungle sequences in San Francisco in Golden Gate Park. I lived in SF for 17 years. Fog comes with the territory, particularly in the park which gets it coming off the Bay & the ocean.

[@daevydjae]

I really get aggravated sometimes seeing scenes like these cut which would add so much more, and give more background and meaning, just to save what...15 minutes? An extra 15 to 30 minutes of Star Trek is every fan's dream, and especially if it adds more understanding. Now the mention of the 400-year-old glasses with the lenses intact makes the joke in Star Trek IV that much funnier, when the shop owner said they'd be worth more if the lenses were intact.

[@FusionGamerElite]

Director's cut failed to add Sulu's missing dialogue when they are heading over to the main ship. Far as I know this has never been fixed, they have the VO but maybe did'nt film the complete scene, which makes no sense as they pretty much filmed everything else including stuff I never even knew about.

[@cubdukat]

Was that actually filmed? I know Sulu's being given command of Excelsior was a part of the novelization, but I wasn't aware there was anything filmed concerning that...

[@georgesenda1952]

Not in ST 2 but in ST3 do you see scenes & little things in the background on the Blu Ray version that you don’t see on the DVD or VHS version, like when the Enterprise comes into spacedock all burned and battered and two people are in an observation window looking at the ship & then we see Janice Rand’s reaction.

[@Aiijuin]

This means that HBO at some point had aired the Director's Cut back 1983-84, I believe when we bought our first VCR. My father must have taped the Director's Cut version of WOK, because I totally remember the extra scenes from way back then with Scottie's nephew and such. Geezus, my little bro and I watched this movie over and over until the tape snapped - to the point that we used to recite the movie line for line. ... well this movie and also "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" where he and I LARPed the alien abduction scene of little Gary (Don't laugh... I was eight and my bro was five). Anyway, I recall the DC cut of Bibi Besch's "I *CAN-NOT* and *WILL NOT* subscribe to your interpretation of this event!!!" take where she puts a ton of emotional emphasis on the scene versus the theatrical subdued version of the same line. Hey! Thanks for posting this. I really enjoy seeing both versions side-by-side. It's a real treat.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The TV version is almost the same as this DVD version, only thing I remember being different (except cutting a few of the scenes shorter) was a different turbolift scene

[@TrekkieChannel]

And I've actually done comparison videos between the theatrical version and the TV version : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZKyc6h9bK6lbZY

[@jasondecharleroy4161]

My brother and I watched the film dozens of times as well and my recollection is the same as yours (kinda made me scratch my head when I saw versions of it later without those scenes and clear alternate takes. Our tape held.

[@cubdukat]

Actually, it was ABC. That was the first time any of the extra footage ever appeared, and from what I understand, very few people, if any, were allowed to show it after them. Nicholas Meyer was not a fan of director's cuts, and both this and ST6 were done without his approval. At least in this case, he decided to acknowledge it and actually help it look its best...

[@TrekkieChannel]

Well he might say he doesn't like them, but the truth is that he keeps changing his movies every single time they get a new release, something like George Lucas

[@docHOLLAday53]

Well done. I’m sad that I just now found this. Very cool!

[@hammerman199374]

I didn't get to see this film in the theater (I was about 8 when it came out), so my first viewing of it was the TV Broadcast a couple years later that had these same extra scenes in it that the director's cut has. I'd recorded it on VHS, carefully pausing it during the commercials, and that's what I watched over and over for years. So it was rather shocking when I got my first DVD copy and these scenes were missing because it was the theatrical release (same story with TMP).

[@sandal_thong8631]

They did the same with _Superman_ and _Superman II,_ but I didn't see anything extra when I finally watched _Star Trek III_ on TV. The only thing I can think of is there was a scene prior to Kirk saying, "this entire crew seems to be on the edge of obsessive behavior concerning Mr. Spock."

[@julianabrown8283]

The directors cut seems better in every way, except a handfull of missing frames.

[@TheGodParticle]

I concur

[@peethreeorion]

@Mike DeMarco I can see your point, but I like that short segment for a strange reason. I was once a pilot in the Navy, flying P-3 Orion subchaser planes. One of the items we used were sonobouys, floating microphones that we popped out of the bottom of the plane to listen for submarines. Those hexagonal cylinders lining the Jeffries tube are the plastic containers the sonobouy came in. Star Trek prop guys used to get them and place in various sets around the ship to enhance a generic "technical" look. Once you know what they look like, you notice them scattered all over on the various Star Trek shows and movies.

[@Hurricanelive]

The filtering and coloring process make it too crisp/clean. You fix a hole with a little spackle, you don't take a hammer to the sheet rock and replace it with new sheet rock and you certainly don't repaint the wall if the old paint can do with a light scrubbing. Put the cuts in but there's a point where you just don't cross the line at punching up the color or even add/change effects. Less is always more when done correctly the first time.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

6:20 "I know you tried, Doctor!" Poor Scotty.

[@domainofthesun4400]

Daniel Williamson But he didn't try a thing after the kid clinically died, just let him dramatically fall dead in true TOS fashion. Which makes Scotty's line unintentionally absurd

[@larrys9497]

The director's cut was broadcast on TV in the 80s. I recorded it and wore out the tape. Nice to see these scenes and takes again.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

My old TV airing of this had a mix of the theatrical and the Director's Cut DVD scenes, namely Chekov telling Regula 1 that Kirk is coming for the Genesis Project. But the DVD release has several scenes I'd never seen before, like the extended version of the engine room where Scotty states that Preston is his nephew.

[@piperalpha5514]

The scene from the Director’s Cut at 3:42 looks like it’s gone from anamorphic widescreen to 4:3 full frame format and makes the movie feel like it’s pan & scan which I absolutely despise. That’s where the Director’s Cut lost my vote.

[@jasonluong3862]

Director's Cut: Paying the price of watching a full movie for 5 minutes of the movie.

[@smrii2487]

What a stupid take

[@Ashworth6]

Just watched the 40th anniversary UK cinema re-release of WOK this afternoon. It was the director's cut but with one slight change. The brief dialogue in the Jeffries Tube between Kirk and Spock about Kirk's son has been removed. The additional shot in the Jeffries Tube is still there but only scored with music; I found that change a little odd. Also, I thought this re-release was supposed to be a 4K restoration yet the picture quality looked very average, as if struck from an original print.

[@lcdmonitor1981]

Bought the Blu-ray box set, watched wrath of khan and noticed the scene where Kirk is introduced to kirks nephew was missing, and immediately turned it off... there’s a lot of other small but key scenes that were cut.... years later a stand-alone blunray release dropped on amazon and of course I bought it and fixed my box set... the Garbage Blu-ray cut was given away

[@TrekkieChannel]

The 2016 box set which features TOS, TAS and the first 6 movies has both versions of Star Trek 2

[@SurelyYewJest]

ST 1 and 2 are some of the most cut and recut movies I've ever seen. Between the TV versions, the theatrical releases, the director's cuts, etc., I've seen both the top and the bottom cuts, and at least one version with some of both, before. Same with ST1; I remember a TV version that aired in the 80s that had a few different sound FX than the ST1 we've had since 2000. Without question though, the 2003 DVD looks much better.

[@TrekkieChannel]

ST1 looks good ONLY on the DVD. As soon as you want to do anything with it, e.g. upscale to HD, it starts to look horrible

[@smrii2487]

Justice League: Hold my beer...

[@windowshasyou5561]

@@smrii2487 Blade Runner 1: Both of you hold my keg...

[@HockeyMetalRPG]

The director's cut was also the cut.used on Network TV (ABC) 1984.

[@TrekkieChannel]

It's not the SAME cut, but it's VERY similar, I also have a video comparing the TV cut with the theatrical version

[@falcon81701]

The Director has less blue tint in the image leaving the Directors cut more warm. Defiantly more shadow detail in the directors cut too. The view of Regular 1 with the planet behind it is great example of this.

[@grumpymcfudge9616]

Starfleet uniforms are smart

[@starbond6]

My favorite deleted scenes are McCoy's accusation against Spock (great delivery), and the conversation between Kirk and McCoy in sickbay, which Kirk admits he's only alive by luck. (could do without the crying scotty half)

[@amymjennings]

Scott's scene was great...in every way.. Warp Speed Mister Preston. RIP A fortaste of The death of Spock... yes.

[@Urvy1A]

The Director's Cut will be out on Blu Ray soon, but hopefully not too blue.

[@Geekology]

+Urvy1A ...and HDR 4K UHD.... which should really sort out the colour.

[@dezznutz3743]

Its here and its beautiful

[@CollectionTHX1138]

Nice job on the presentation! It works well one on top of the other and notes in between.

[@exidy-yt]

I don't get the last segment: what was so 'hateful' about the Bluray transfer of the end of the movie? It looked identical to me except brighter. I might have preferred the darker original 'dawn' style of the theatrical release, but there was nothing to 'hate' in the brighter re-master for bluray!

[@CaminoAir]

Thank you. I hadn't seen the deleted scenes before. I'm not a strict ST fan, but I am very fond of TOS, the original cast films and later seasons of TNG. I alwasy thought that 'Wrath of Kahn' wouldn't have been hurt by an extra 10 to 15 minutes running time. I realise storytelling momentum and economy were in the cinema edit, but the film always moved a bit too fast for my liking and I would have appreciated a few more character interaction scenes.

[@randy1979]

Scotty carrying the midshipman to the bridge when he was wounded and being so shook up over it, makes more sense in the director’s cut. I never understood, after all the people that had been killed on that series, why they were so upset over this guy that was hardly shown.

[@amit790]

2:10 to 2:45 Even with my new yellow upc replacement copy, the audio is still out of sync on my blu ray! What am I suppose to do?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Interesting. The 2016 Blu-ray or the older DVD?

[@amit790]

TrekkieChannel The 2016 blu ray

[@TrekkieChannel]

***** This is the first time I hear about a synchronization problem. I think it's the time that I actually watch it :-)

[@BMan100]

They changed some scenes when I re downloaded my movie from the apple store.. there isn't any dialog in the Jeffries tube when kirk says that the young man is his son.

[@ai6894]

Now if only Sulu's edited scene was restored to its full entirety,"I'm delighted! Any chance to go aboard Enterprise."(interruption to exterior shot)

[@TrekkieChannel]

Wasn't the cut only in the ABC TV version? I'd have to check that

[@jefflukaszyk5970]

I think only the audio exists.. they talk about excelsior..

[@Durwood71]

I just watched this the other night from the 10 movie Blu Ray boxset which has the theatrical cuts of all films from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to "Star Trek: Nemesis", and I don't recall it looking as blue and indistinct as it does here. On the contrary, the image was bright and sharp, and the blue tint is not nearly as exaggerated as it appears in this comparison. Did Paramount re-transfer it for latest boxset which was released around February 2019? As for the added content, this is one of those cases where the director's cut is merely different, not better. I don't think the movie is missing anything essential without it, and I don't think it's dramatically improved with it. In fact, I would suggest that the theatrical cut is superior in a couple of, minor ways: 1) it leaves us in suspense about the fate of the crew on the science station. In the director's cut, Dr. Marcus announces that they're leaving, so the audience knows they'll be safe from Khan and his crew. The theatrical cut doesn't reveal the science team's fate until much, much later, which I think makes for a better narrative; 2) I don't like how the director's cut makes Kirk seem a bit obtuse for not knowing what eyeglasses are. We're talking about a man who has flintlock firearms, models of sailing ships, and even a Commodore PET computer on display in his home. Surely he's familiar with spectacles. Contrast this with Robert Wise's cut of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" which is significantly improved with reediting, the reintroduction of key lines and scenes, and the addition of a few new special effects shots. I wish they would release it on Blu Ray already. Normally, I'm a big fan of director's cuts, but with "The Wrath of Khan", I'm largely indifferent.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Hi, which boxset you have? Because in 2016 Paramount indeed have created created a new transfer so if you bought it in 2019 it's possible you have the new transfer

[@Durwood71]

@@TrekkieChannel I just bought it recently, so I assume it's the latest transfer.

[@AndrewChapman]

Well, at least the edits in the director's cut in II (and also VI) weren't anywhere as complicating as those of TMP. With TMP, the edits between the theatrical version, the special longer version and the director's cut were just all over the place. Like there are scenes in each version that are cut from the other versions. Or scenes that are arranged or edited differently.

[@davecam4863]

We had a Fathom showing of this and it's really incredible all the new stuff. It changed the viewing experience for sure. Specifically Scotty's nephew and the scenes with Kirk, Spock and Bones discussing a bit more

[@oafpolitics179]

Apart from the colours/image quality, Theatrical version. The extra snippets are not necessary, and seem to be there for the purposed of exposition, which is not needed.

[@aaronster]

Do you have a similar comparison for Star Trek III? I remember a scene from the theatrical release that I've never seen elsewhere: in my memory of seeing it in theatres, when Kirk shoots the Klingon on the Genesis Planet, a miniature photo torpedo - a red starburst - is fired from his hand phaser. No where else have I seen this effect and I've never been able to determine whether my memory is correct.

[@TrekkieChannel]

No unfortunately, I don't remember seeing something like that

[@Tony6Shot]

I think it's in the director's cut that there was an edit made that confused me and kinda screwed with the pacing of one particular scene: when Enterprise makes a successful shot at the bridge of Reliant, the resulting damage causes Khan's right-hand man to get crushed. Khan lifts up the debris to get to him, but then suddenly it cuts to I think Saavik saying something on the Enterprise and then right back to Khan's goon saying his last words. I dunno, I don't remember that scene playing out that way, but it felt kinda sloppy.

[@justinn1901]

The version of the movie i recorded off of local ABC network onto our old BetaMax had most of these scenes in it. We would watch it every other day after school.

[@DougHanchard]

Without a doubt (in my humble opinion), the Directors cut is superior. Makes one wonder, how many more segments were left on the cutting room floor. Films have to be edited. I get that. In an era of special effects, I often think Producers and in particular, Paramount, tend to believe storylines are secondary relative to photography.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The sad thing is that they didn't show us any deleted scenes on the DVD or Blu-ray releases.

[@jpiccone1]

Really? I think the deleted scenes should stay deleted. The extra Scotty grief scenes were so spectacularly poorly acted they were laugh-out-loud funny. Usually when something is deleted there's a good reason. The director's cut of the Motion Picture is superior to the theatrical release because it was the director actually trying to improve the film. This one is just a marketing ploy using a few minutes of awful footage to get us to spend more money. I wouldn't mind a bunch of deleted scenes and alternate takes as extras, but don't pollute the film with them.

[@busbettispolamalu7259]

A most interesting argument, especially since I was about to argue that deleting scenes is done about 50% of the time for economic over creative reasons and your comment is essentially saying the opposite (adding scenes is for economic reasons). Yet it now occurs to me that both can be true.

[@busbettispolamalu7259]

(btw I agree on the horrible Scotty extra scenes)

[@mattalbrecht7471]

8:32. Why people hated the bluray transfer...was it because the SOUND was knocked out of the video we see? Both theater and directors cut?? Oops!! I swear no one watches once they upload to make sure nothing happened in the process!

[@SpaceGhost1984]

Overall, I like the additional scenes, but some of the takes that they had to use in order to get them weren't as good.

[@chrispeplinski7306]

Scotty's reaction to Peter's death made more sense in the directors cut

[@joerichie2226]

at the end it says "and now another reason why so many hated the blue ray transfer" - or something like that - and what follows is the end sequence where the only difference I see is that it's not as murky and the plants and things look more alive and vibrant. What the hells wrong with it? I don't see it at all.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The fact that the colors are changed

[@joerichie2226]

TrekkieChannel Wow, really? That's it? I mean I totally understand both sides of the argument when it comes to original vs enhanced and I've been on both sides of it. It just seemed inconceivable that anyone would prefer the original. It's almost unwatchable with everything so dark and monochrome. I can usually understand any point of view if I don't agree with it. Well, whoever added the text to that section it had to be out of a sense of purity. I'm baffled if it was aesthetics.

[@kyleowsen]

I think you're mixed up. The ugly washed out one on the top is the one the video was complaining about. The director's cut in this case is the "original" since it more closely resembles the colors as they appeared in theaters.

[@rictusmetallicus]

@@TrekkieChannel Maybe that's your reason to hate it. Not mine - i like the vibrant colors, they make this newborn planet look alive

[@jonathanbarker1016]

I am glad kept Director's cut .And besides that there was a ton of features.on the extra disc. Which is why did have bought any Star Trek movies on blu ray ,As a great Star Trek movie .

[@davechilds3268]

These cuts were actually used long before the DVD releases. Some were used on international airline flights, and more famously for the ABC Sunday Night Movies back in the early 80's.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The ABC cut is actually slightly different than the DVD version

[@paulvarda5318]

it sure would have been nice to have the directors cut versions on the blu-ray boxset. i was a Star Trek maniac in my youth. Though i haven't watched any of the movies for about 15 years. the past 2 weeks i've been watching all the movies again in glorious 1080p. such a pleasure!!!! and tons of extras!!! directors cuts would have been icing on the cake.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Actually a "different" Director's cut WAS released on Blu-ray twice in 2016 - once as a standalone release, once as a part of the big 50th anniversary boxset which included TOS, TAS and the first 6 movies

[@toddphillips563]

“That’s why so many hate the blu-Ray transfer?” I LOVE the blu-Ray transfer. So I don’t understand your thesis. They did a phenomenal job with it. I thought the whole point of the comparison was to see the improvements in every way.

[@silvereagle2061]

Why no sound at the end?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Manual copyright claim. I had to chose between silencing the music and letting them to take down my video, so I chose "the lesser of 2 evils"

[@adamdemgar2798]

TrekkieChannel ???? I don't really understand that

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Goo-goo.

[@michaelb4439]

Fair Use is dead. :(

[@benwagner7422]

Still miss the brutal scene on regular #1 were Khan cuts their throats while they hanging down. ... or was it in the book? Cant remember anymore.

[@TrekkieChannel]

This is one of the scenes (including e.g. Khan's baby ) which I have no evidence they were actually filmed.

[@geminidreamatl26]

i wonder if the blu ray of the directors cut that was released not to long ago, looks like the color corrected version. if so, im buying it now lol. Why they cut these scenes is beyond me. makes the movie so much better.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Check some samples here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIHJmoyqd9Rjjc0&start=439

[@SoapNugget]

I've never seen the director's cut but from this video it just seems like some unnecessary scenes of exposition, sure there is no overbearing blue tint (and only in a couple of shots is it a problem)

[@SirJimbobSquarePants]

Is there meant to be no sound in the final comparison?

[@TrekkieChannel]

There was a manual copyright claim for the soundtrack. I had to chose between muting the song and deleting the video

[@TrowaBarton]

8:36 i dont get it. whats so bad beside no audio.

[@TrekkieChannel]

The audio was removed for copyright reasons

[@meiray]

One scene I always imagined would get extended is the bit in the shuttle pod when they are approaching the docked Enterprise. Sulu says, "I'm delighted! Any chance to get aboard the Enterprise..." and he is so clearly about to say something more, but it's cut awkwardly. Anyone know what was scripted there?

[@TrekkieChannel]

Not me unfortunately

[@meiray]

Did a little digging, and apparently it was part of the scene where they discuss Sulu getting a captainship. Possibly cut to avoid extra maneuvers to bring Sulu back every movie in future (like had to be done with Worf after ""Generations.")

[@connormccloy9399]

I personally don’t think it would have been hard to include Sulu in 3&4. All that is left is to throw out 5 and boom, you’re good.

[@pingvuiini]

Weren't there two different takes of the scene with Saavik and Kirk in the turbo lift where they talk about her hair and the Kobayashi Maru scenario??

[@TrekkieChannel]

Yes, they were used for the ABC TV version. I did a comparison of that version too kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZKyc6h9bK6lbZY

[@KennethKralyJr]

The 4K UHD release of TWOK Directors Cut is a blend of the 2009 and 2016 transfers together. But sadly those odd color casts to the moon of Regula I and the Genisis planet at the end of the film when you see the torpedo of Spock's casket are still their. The only way to view the 2016 transfer sadly is to view it on Vudu and enable HDX. I know the 4K UHD transfer was approved by Nicholas Meyer but sadly it's the 2009 one all over again with the odd color casts and such. It just does not look right for whatever reason.

[@Sidewalkstvshow]

I think when ABC aired this movie for its network premiere, many of those scenes were part of the TV telecast.

[@TrekkieChannel]

Both the ABC version and the DVD version where done under Nick Meyer's supervision and are very similar

[@avenuePad]

I personally find the added scenes and different takes are unnecessary and detract from the pacing of the film. Editors are unsung heroes, and this editor did a great job at cutting the fluff to make the movie move better and keep the tension building. The scene where Carol explains to her staff that they're leaving the station totally removes the tension from the Kirk and landing party scene arriving on Regula One. In the Director's Cut we already know they're not there, even if we don't know exactly where they went. That's probably exactly why the editor cut it. There really isn't one added scene I like more. The only benefit of the Director's Cut is the colour correction, but even then sometimes the Theatrical Cut looks better. Thanks for the video, though. Very interesting to see both run side to side. I just disagree that the DC is superior. A lot of Star Trek fans I've talked to online agree that the theatrical version is better overall. It's all subjective and personal preference. I usually prefer the theatrical version of films, with a few exceptions. Blade Runner's DC is definitely the superior version because it gives the audience credit, and doesn't spell everything out. Again, TWOK DC spells too much out and doesn't respect the audience and in doing so ruins the mystery, tension, and pacing.

[@mikesmovingimages]

Very well put. This Director's Cut should really be called the Monday-morning quarterback edition. That changes are so subtle as to be almost meaningless. Myers did not improve anything. Too many subplots, especially in what is essentially an action movie, distracts from the forward momentum. It was enough to have Kirk's son, did we really need Scotty's nephew, too? Why not Chekov's wife, Uhura's yoga instructor (Jazzercise in 1982) or Sulu's cat? Are we really to believe Kirk does not know what eyeglasses are, but proceeds to later so easily put them on and use them IN COMBAT!? Do we really need more lines of McCoy's moralizing to Spock, or one more "fascinating" from our Vulcan first officer (delivered with a touch of emotional sarcasm)? No question: Theatrical cut is the better movie.

[@avenuePad]

@@mikesmovingimages Couldn't agree more. And isn't that extra scene with McCoy giving Spock the gears kinda ridiculous? It's almost exactly the same beats as the theatrical lines, but with different words. It's redundant and superfluous. Like the other added scenes and takes, you can see exactly why the editor cut it.

[@cakestalker]

I don't get why Kirk, the the supposed collector of antiques..yet didn't know a pair of glasses is used for.. he collects flintlock pistols, old clocks and sailing ships etc. Surely he has seen a pair of glasses before.. maybe in an old painting or something. Maybe that was why the scene was edited out though. (Kirk could just be trolling McCoy though, that is a possibility :)

[@TrekkieChannel]

Yep. There was a reason why that dialogue was cut.

[@rnhtube]

He knows what they are. McCoy is ribbing him for getting old; it's clear Kirk doesn't like the idea of another birthday. Kirk is playing dumb, to throw the attitude back at the doctor. The doctor gives it right back: "For most patients *your age*..." It's hard for non-trek fans to understand the subtext between these two characters, and I think that's why they cut it.

[@LeoLeo-tx4uy]

i really like this movie but can someone please esplin to me why the heck did scotty brough his nephew on the bridge instead of directly to the sicbay?

[@CALAdmin88]

Can't wait for my 4K set of I-IV and TNG Complete Series Blurays on Monday to satisfy my new Trek kick.

[@Ze0do0Gas]

The theatrical blu-ray version is so... "blueish"

[@TrekkieChannel]

+Élio Ribeiro The color grading on the Director's Cut DVD was done apparently under the supervision of the director. The color grading on the BD was probably done by a color blind person

[@Ze0do0Gas]

+TrekkieChannel Hear, hear!

[@JoesGuy]

+Élio Ribeiro Maybe it's due to it being the "blu-ray" version. XD

[@Ze0do0Gas]

+JoesGuy ...

[@JoesGuy]

Élio Ribeiro Awful joke, but it still works. ;D

[@TheDeadMan79]

In a modern movie that involves a crisis everyone has to be running around and screaming, whereas in real life, this is how people would be acting. Scotty still does his job after his nephew dies, Kirk isn't panicking and keeps the bridge crew together and McCoy mans his post. A movie like this would be "boring" to modern audiences.

[@1AstralKing]

So the directors cut is basically the ABC Sunday Night Movie version?

[@SuperLuigiSixty4]

I wonder how the colour correction on the Blu Ray of the DC compares to the DVD. That's the key point in my debate of wether or not I get it or stick with the DVD.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I think the Blu-ray of the DC is worth getting. The HD master looks pretty good. And I think it also has new Bonus material too.

[@deLimitedProductions]

I like the way you present the footage for comparison--it's very easy to follow. You could improve these presentations, however, by using the correct terms. I think in every case, it should read as "ADDED/DELETED SHOT" --- not "SCENE". A scene is made up of several camera shots--and it's really at the shot level that the two versions are being compared. Adding or dropping a 'scene' is a bigger deal, because it represents a lot more footage and plot/story development. Otherwise, nice work comparing these Star Trek film versions.

[@TrekkieChannel]

+deLimited Productions Thanks, you're correct of course.

[@Ravege98]

I have a blu ray version that seems to have most of the cut scenes, but Spock's "Fascinating" line is very obviously missing as they climb up, are there multiple versions?

[@TrekkieChannel]

4 versions - theatrical, ABC cut, Director's cut DVD, Director's cut Blu-ray. The Blu-ray DC misses the dialogue. There was a fifth version on early 2016 DC Blu-rays, but that was considered to be a mistake and soon replaced with the 4th version, this version had some shots during the Kobayashi Maru sequence in wrong order.