Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I can hardly wait to be one of the bitchers, is that a word?

I love our dog chasing his tail discussions, on the ol' HTF!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

We should be so glad they are releasing the original versions...

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Nope, there are no morons around here gloating.

Another thing I have noticed on various Blu-ray & Trek forums is that many people think, incorrectly, that the 'original' version of Trek 6 that these new Blu-rays will have, is the 1992-2002 version.
They think of the extended/director's cut of Trek 6 as the 5 or 6 seconds of tweaks that Meyer did for the 2003 CE.

They've been saying stuff like, ..."it's only a few seconds difference.." or "I don't care if they show the little pictures of the conspirators during the meld..." etc.

I don't belong to those forums and I'm not about to post on each and tell them it's 3 & 1/2 minutes they're cutting. But they may be in for a surprise if they buy it.

Also Paramount, when it makes its official announcemnet may say, "...includes the theatrical versions.." but they sure aren't going to add, "which doesn't include the footage included with every home video release up till now.."

So It's pretty much assured that some folks will not know until the first time they watch it.

Also i guess no one cares that this first release won't contain Wise's & Meyer's commentaries from the DE/CE since those commentaries are specific to those versions.
At the time a lot of folks mentioned they really enjoyed Meyer's regardless of what they thought of him as director.

And yes George, you are right, I should have used the quote option----I just thought I was jumping in right after the post i was commenting on.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Well, to be certain, is Paramount saying that these will be theatrical versions, or are they saying that they WON'T be the extended director's cuts?

If the former then clearly we're getting the very first version of Star Trek VI minus the Colonel West stuff etc. If the latter then we MAY still get the video version since that, strictly speaking, wasn't what is now being branded as the director's cut.

Has Paramount actually said anything at all yet?

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

We are currently speculating on the Blu Ray Star Trek information that came from The Digital Bits. Bill Hunt broke the news on his site and stated the source to be a reliable one.

The way it reads, the releases will be the theatrical cut. No interpretation there that I can see.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

It just seems odd that Paramount would release the original, original Star Trek 6. A version that's never been out before on any home video format. I mean it just seems a bit too... inventive!

Don't get me wrong, I'd welcome it. I just seems odd.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Until a specific announcement from Paramount I still have a tiny glimmer of hope.

I just hope that the announcement will be 100% clear with no ambiguous phrasing....

'Original version of Trek 6'----would that mean original video version or origianl theatrical version?

It should say, 'for the first time ever on video the theatrical version of Trek 6'

That is what Bill Hunt has stated and i wish they make it perfectly clear.

Same with the commentaries...

Not, "new commentary by ***** ***** for Trek 2' and leaving us hanging about whether it contains the old commentary
although they're not likely to brag about NOT INCLUDING the director commentaries for Trek 1, 2 & 6

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

just wanted to let u know that the TMP theatrical & DC can't be seamless because the DC is far too different. FYI.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Yeeeeeeah, that's what I'm thinking. "Original" version could very well mean the original video version.

Bill Hunt did originally say it referred to The Voyage Home proving that this news isn't exactly without some space for misinterpretation!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Yes, his source my have been honest & reliable, but not quite as up to speed on exactly what versions exist/will be used etc.

I mean he may have thought he was simply reporting on releases with only 2previous versions, but of course Trek 1 & 6 have 3 versions.
i doubt if everyone at Paramount knows as much about the Trek movies as the folks here do..........

Still it would have been the perfect release(s) for the companies first branching Blu-ray.

Did Paramount ever have ANY branching movies---even on standard DVD??

Jedi......The theatrical & 'special longer version' could have used seamless branching though (perhaps cutting out the airlock scene with the studio rafters showing though.)

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Not that I can remember.

Certainly the only way to do TMP justice would be a 3-discer. Strictly speaking, I suppose the TV version *should* be in 1.33:1 aspect ratio!

I'm in two minds about Trek 6. I'm not a big fan of the Scooby Doo ending, and the Scotty scene they added seems forced to me, so I'd quite like to get the theatrical version, but I'd also resent the removal of 3.5 minutes!

What I don't want is the Director's cut which I didn't like at all.

That altered conspirators sequence was ludicrous... and they cut out the Romulan Ambassador's name!!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Well, I have some faith. I always thought that Paramount did a really great thing when TOS first came out on DVD and The City on The Edge of Forever was restored with the original song, Goodnight Sweetheart. They took the extra step there when all earlier versions on tape and LD had that awful generic replacement song!

So I think we're getting the real theatrical versions. I agree, I didn't care for the DE of Star Trek 6 and the added conspirators segment during the MindMeld of Valeris.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

They need to keep the following commentaries otherwise this release will be null & void as they are some of the best I have ever heard.

1: Nick Meyer on ST2&6. Very interesting guy who does not give you all the answers you want but lets you think for yourself by raising new questions.

2: Shatner/Nimoy from ST4- Lots of fun to hear their comedy double act & sometimes moving in how they feel about how/why it ended after ST6 (I know they got another movie cameo each but TOS ended @ 6 with the ensemble cast for most fans).

I think the vast majority of TOS fans can live without famous fan commentaries unless the fans are noted filmakers like: Spielberg, Lucas, Scorsese, Cameron, Bay or Zemeckis. Hearing actors gush about his/her favorite bits is awkward EPK fluff not worthy of an expensive BD release but if they can bury it away somewhere (like 8 bit mono compression) and it does not harm the bitrate allocated to audio/visual PQ then whatever. Otherwise its just stealing bitrate from the main event. Based on previous DVD offerings I can guess that the fan commentaries are because they have no budget for new commentaries with the TOS actors/crew who did not participate on the DVD's (Harve Bennett is a shocking omission as he was the guy along with Nick Meyer who saved the TOS movies and his ST2-4 produced trilogy is as good as TOS ever was. Ralph Winter was also heavily involved in ST2-6 so should get a chance as well especially to talk about how/why ST5 VFX were so poor).

Then the surviving TOS actors like Takei, Koenig & Nichols never previously got more than a soundbite so they should have an opportunity to recollect before its too late. My fear is that Paramount have around 30GB space left after the transfer so are struggling to fill it as they do not have a library of material to include at all as most of these movies got little to no behind the scenes on set interviews as the filmakers wanted to keep their secrets until opening day. If this is true they should use BD25 and pass the cost savings onto us rather than fill it with amateur EPK stuff (ST3 SE 2 disc DVD comes to mind!).

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I've said it before but I will say it again and again and again.

There is no excuse for trailers and TV spots to be included for each and every movie. None. I don't want to hear about music rights or clearances or "can't." Specifically, when the TNG films come around, Generations better dang well have all trailers.

It strikes me as kind of bizarre the fans know more about the films and franchise than Paramount does. Perhaps if they hired a fan as consultant on the discs, that person could make a wish list of material. There HAD to be at least a segment on ST II-IV on Nimoy's "Lights! Camera! Action!" program. You can't tell me they can't get their hands on Entertainment Tonight footage about the final movie or Spock dying or the whales or anything like that.

It's time to go balls to the wall with these movies instead of doing half assed jobs. You round up as many people as you possible can (the cast, the recurring characters, the directors, the writers), you put microphones in front of them and record commentary tracks. You comb through every vault there is to find material. You talk to Mego or Playmates or whoever to secure rights to include toy commercials...they're all over YouTube! You put together commemorative pieces on Robert Wise, De Kelley, Jimmy Doohan, Mark Lenard, Majel and Gene, Persis Khambatta and the rest because they were INSTRUMENTAL in continuing the franchise. You throw on every deleted scene, every extended take, every alternate line reading, every single flub. And don't tell me they don't exist.

Sorry...I got a little carried away there...Paramount, if you need someone to work on Super Duper Special Edition's of these things (or the TNG movies...), I am available.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Man, I need some Romulan Ale to get through the last few pages of this thread! Agreed that this might be more entertaining than the new film.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Me too! All I'd require is three weeks notice: two weeks to train someone at my current job and one week to drive out to LA and find a place to crash.

On a more serious note, it would be a shame if Fox releases the Alien films on Blu-Ray later this year (or next) in a fancy boxset and all the reviews start off with, "Paramount, this is what you should've done with Star Trek!"

Of course, we still don't know everything and I will keep an open mind until the final announcement.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

So, do we actually have an official press release of these Trek (Blu-ray)-releases?

Is this "theatrical version only" etc fully confirmed?

I have no reason to doubt Digitalbits or anything, but I´m sure it´s still at least possible that eventually these releases will include "both versions".. No?

Now I´m also disappointed if that´s not the case (only "theatrical versions" will be included), and I´m also disappointed if those old extras are missing (or something). Hell, I´m also disappointed if these films are not released in a proper "box set".

But, I´m still happy that these are coming to Blu-ray in one form or another. It´s something that I have been really waiting for. So if certain members in this thread are trying to imply that we should "boycott" these releases or just start name-calling towards Paramount, I can say only one thing: Leave me out of it. I WILL buy these Blu-ray -releases, simple as that.

BUT - let´s hope that Paramount is receiving our message (there are good comments also in this thread, no doubt) and we´ll see both versions and good extras. You never know..

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I suspect that the home video versions of these films were assembled on video and are unusable for an HD release. These are likely the theatrical cuts, because it is simplest to go back and scan the already cut camera negative which has none of the home video changes.

Doug

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Again considering the transfers of II and VI don't scream "VIDEO!!!" as TMP does, I think your theory is a load of bunk.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

If you read what Bill Hunt wrote----he so much as admits that after realizing that TMP would have to wait that Paramount probably decided they'd just put off the Director's cuts of the other two till a later time when they could do a set of Director's cuts.

Not a tech decision, but a business one. According to Bill Hunt---who we are basing all this info on anyway----so why doubt him on this point?

Someone suggested a boycott?

Why would anybody boycott this release if its the one they want? Or if they were loaded with money and could afford double or triple dips?

Just don't buy it if its the version you DON'T want and/or if you can't afford to buy box set after box set.

I'm not rich and I don't want extra copies of trek 3, 4 & 5 which only have one version each-----if I'm going to have to buy a Director's set in a few years anyway.
And if they do call it a 'Director's set' I'll bet they won't have ANY of the director's commentaries this time----that way they can say that Trek 3, 4 & 5 are part of the 'Director's set' by virtue of having Director's commentaries....

Wait till they officially announce the specs----if they remove the director's commentaries from ALL the movies----not just the altered ones----they you know they have the double-dip planned.

Just a guess.

By the way, the only way any of this would be good is if they let Shatner have some money to re-cut and redo the Fx of Trek 5......

That would excuse the delay---since two movies would need the FX tinkered with and that would takes at least a year. Would Paramount put up the money and would shatner still be interested??

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, do you.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I assume Dalek meant that Trek 2 & 6 didn't look like the added stuff was inferior to the rest of the film and therefore must have been taken from film as well.

And that Zack's response implies that you wouldn't be able to tell the source from the current DVDs....

Both a little nasty though.

In any event, the films were shot on film and i really doubt they have lost the film elements and therefore they shouldn't have too much trouble coming up with them for the probable next-dip.

As I stated before, they knew from 2006 the new format was here...
they knew Trek is a huge property for sale to the fans
they knew since early 2007 that a new movie with the original characters was coming...

They should have been prepared to assemble a thorough first release---but we'll get what they decide to give us each time and take it or leave it.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Just basing on what Bill Hunt had written and what we've seen historically of Star Trek on home video, I think what they decide to prepare and sell is all market based.

To be fair, with Star Trek Nemesis and Enterprise, the studio saw the popularity of Star Trek drop and the audience leave. There was no incentive for them to do anything for Star Trek. After a period and recognition of Star Trek TOS's 40th Anniversary, they did do the Remastering of The Original Series for posterity.

The studio's decision to make Star Trek 11 with JJ Abrams was a nice thing to see so they must have seen that enough interest was still there to do a modest film. Because the new film results is looking good to them, they felt it was good enough to push for a summer release with hopes for a big opening.

What I have read tells me that they won't invest any more budget then for a regular basic release of the theatrical cuts to time for the new film. If the film opens big and they see we still like Trek, then I think they'll start the process for the Super Special Editions. And those could come out in time with the Star Trek 11 BD.

Of course I know that Paramount and CBS knows it has a large, not huge, built in audience for STar Trek on DVD. So they know we're out here. I think they are hedging bets and taking a wait and see. That's my guess!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I agree with almost every thing you said but...................

A 'super-special edition' at the time of the Trek 11 Blu-ray ???????

That would be in August to October time-frame ??

You can't seriously believe they'll double-dip 3 to 5 months after the first release??

Two years minimum---maybe to coincide with Trek 12----If trek 11 is a hit enough to warrant a sequel.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

How long was it between the first Casino Royale standard BD and the Special Edition BD? I checked, the first BD came out in March 2007. The Collectors Edition of Casino Royale came out October 2008. A year and a half!

I'm don't really believe Paramount will release a Special Edition of each or box set of Star Trek films that soon. I sure am hoping!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I sure am hoping too, but I'd hate to read the posts from the folks who bought the first set---if they came out with a vastly improved re-issue in less than a year.......

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

One of the posters above made an excellent point that I think will lessen the pain of a double dip. He said there is no loss here. You'll get the theatrical version first. Then later you'll get the extended versions with sundries. While it won't be in one deluxe set with branching, you have them.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

all the more reason for me to wait!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

2 and 3 didn't have major visual enhancements to the films, only added scenes already shot on film. So there is nothing look like video.

Doug

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

However, there is the question of the condition of the elements used to extend II and VI. While these might look just fine on DVD, the higher resolution of BD may expose flaws that would be deemed unacceptable. As I recall, when Paramount released TMP in widescreen on VHS, they only released the theatrical version because the TV cut elements weren't up to snuff (although in that case, it was more of a situation where the elements used in the TV cut were incomplete in terms of effects, which was something that wouldn't be noticed in the pan-and-scan world of TV broadcasts, but I digress.....).