Star Trek Films, Original TV Show Head to Blu-ray
By amoody
Created 02/18/2009 - 01:00
Paramount Home Ent., for the first time, will release all the original STAR TREK films from the '70s and '80s and the original 1960s-era TV show to Blu-ray.
The releases begin April 28 with the seven-disc, 29-episode Blu-ray set of "STAR TREK: The Original Series" from CBS Home Ent. and Paramount Home Ent.
The first season Blu-ray release of "STAR TREK: The Original Series" features brand-new technology that finally provides fans/viewers with the best of both worlds by giving them the ability to see each episode's newly enhanced or original special effects and hear a new enhanced soundtrack or the original one. Viewers will be able to select either version to view or toggle back and forth between the newly enhanced visual effects found on the remastered episodes and the original broadcast episode effects. Also for the first time, fans will be able to enjoy the series in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, the best sound format possible, and have the option of selecting the original mono sound heard on the series' original television airings decades ago.
As part of the special features, select episodes include the "Starfleet Access" bonus content. By choosing the "Starfleet Access" option, viewers will be able to watch the selected episodes with special pop-up trivia and picture-in-picture video commentaries. The set also includes an interactive tour of the starship Enterprise, rare on-set home movie footage, an inside perspective on what it took to transport Trek into the 21st century and more. An exclusive collectible Sulu figure from Diamond Select Toys is also being made available with purchase of the Blu-ray set; fans pay only shipping and handling charges.
Paramount will next debut the "STAR TREK: Original Motion Picture Collection" on Blu-ray and "STAR TREK: Motion Picture Trilogy" on Blu-ray or DVD May 12, the Tuesday after the new STAR TREK film from J.J. Abrams hits theaters. The collection includes: STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979), STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982), STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (1984), STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (1986), STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER (1989) and STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY (1991).
The "STAR TREK: Original Motion Picture Collection" includes the first six STAR TREK films, which have been digitally remastered in high definition (STAR TREK II THE WRATH OF KHAN has been fully restored) with new 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio and with over 14 hours of special features, including 2.5 hours of all-new material. The collection also includes a bonus disc entitled "Star Trek: The Captains' Summit" that features a 70-minute exclusive round table discussion hosted by Whoopi Goldberg in which William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes share candid moments and intimate details about life on the set.
The "STAR TREK: Motion Picture Trilogy" includes STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK and STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME in one box set, which will be available on either Blu-ray or DVD. The films have been digitally remastered in high definition (THE WRATH OF KHAN has been restored) with new 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio for the Blu-ray release and each disc includes all-new special features, including exclusive BD-Live content, new commentaries, featurettes, deleted scenes, storyboards and more.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER adds that Paramount will also release on May 12 "The Best of STAR TREK: The Original Series" and "The Best of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION," each with four episodes to DVD. The "Original Series" set includes "City on the Edge of Forever," "The Trouble With Tribbles," "Balance of Terror" and "Amok Time." "TNG" episodes include "The Best of Both Worlds Parts 1 & 2," "Yesterday's Enterprise" and "The Measure of a Man."
