Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection Hits 4K UHD

L-R: Leonard Nimoy (Spock), William Shatner (James T. Kirk), DeForest Kelley (Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy), and James Doohan (Montgomery "Scotty" Scott) in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Courtesy of Paramount.

Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection arrives on 4K UHD just in time for the franchise’s 55th anniversary of the first episode in 1966.

While this collection includes the first four films starring the original cast, it does not include Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) or Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). Perhaps 4K UHD releases will take place down the line? I don’t know. This could be either a Star Trek or a Paramount decision. In any event, the fifth film, directed by William Shatner, almost ended the franchise. Thankfully, the franchise would rebound with a final film starring the original cast. However, all four films are included on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray discs along with access to digital copies of the theatrical version of each film. While The Wrath of Kahn director’s cut is also included on disc, there is no digital copy to my knowledge.

If not for the release of George Lucas’s Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, it’s quite possible that the film franchise never happens. The first film is badly missing the action that makes the series what it is.

Star Trek

Synopsis

The U.S.S. Enterprise boldly debuted on the big screen with the cast of the original Star Trek series, including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and James Doohan. When an unidentified alien intruder destroys three powerful Klingon cruisers, Captain James T. Kirk returns to the helm of a newly transformed U.S.S. Enterprise to take command. This is the original theatrical cut of the acclaimed adventure and features Jerry Goldsmith’s rousing iconic overture.

Bonus Features

4K Ultra HD

  • Isolated score in Dolby 2.0—NEW!
  • Commentary by Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman

Blu-ray

  • Isolated score in Dolby 2.0—NEW!
  • Commentary by Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman
  • Library Computer (HD)
  • Production
    • The Longest Trek: Writing the Motion Picture (HD)
  • The Star Trek Universe
    • Special Star Trek Reunion (HD)
    • Starfleet Academy SCISEC Brief 001: The Mystery Behind V’ger
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Storyboards
  • Trailers (HD)
  • TV Spots

DIRECTOR: Robert Wise
SCREENWRITER: Harold Livingston
CAST: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Majel Barrett, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, presenting Persis Khambatta and starring Stephen Collins

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Synopsis

Including both the original theatrical and director’s cuts, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is one of the most celebrated and essential chapters in Star Trek lore. On routine training maneuvers, Admiral James T. Kirk seems resigned that this may be the last space mission of his career. But an adversary from the past has returned with a vengeance. Aided by his exiled band of genetic supermen, Khan (Ricardo Montalbán)—brilliant renegade of 20th century Earth—has raided Space Station Regula One, stolen the top-secret device called Project Genesis, wrested control of another Federation starship, and now schemes to set a most deadly trap for his old enemy Kirk… with the threat of a universal Armageddon.

Bonus Features

4K Ultra HD

  • Commentary by Director Nicholas Meyer (Director’s Cut and Theatrical Version)
  • Commentary by Director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto (Theatrical Version)

Blu-ray

  • Commentary by Director Nicholas Meyer (Director’s Cut and Theatrical Version)
  • Commentary by Director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto (Theatrical Version)
  • Text Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda (Director’s Cut)
  • Library Computer (HD)
  • Production
    • Captain’s Log
    • Designing Khan
    • Original Interviews with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and Ricardo Montalbán
    • Where No Man Has Gone Before: The Visual Effects of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
    • James Horner: Composing Genesis (HD)
  • The Star Trek Universe
    • Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics (HD)
    • A Novel Approach
    • Starfleet Academy SCISEC Brief 002: Mystery Behind Ceti Alpha VI (HD)
  • Farewell
    • A Tribute to Ricardo Montalbán (HD)
  • Storyboards
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD)

DIRECTOR: Nicholas Meyer
SCREENWRITERS: Jack B. Sowards
CAST: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, also starring Bibi Besch, Merritt Butrick, and Paul Winfield, and introducing Kirstie Alley and starring Ricardo Montalbán

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Synopsis

Admiral Kirk’s defeat of Khan and the creation of the Genesis planet are empty victories. Spock is dead and McCoy is inexplicably being driven insane. Then a surprise visit by Spock’s father provides a startling revelation: McCoy is harboring Spock’s living essence. Kirk attempts to steal the U.S.S. Enterprise and defy Starfleet’s Genesis planet quarantine to search for his friend, but the Klingons are planning a deadly rendezvous.

Bonus Features

4K Ultra HD

  • Commentary by director Leonard Nimoy, writer/producer Harve Bennett, director of photography Charles Correll and Robin Curtis
  • Commentary by Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor

Blu-ray

  • Commentary by director Leonard Nimoy, writer/producer Harve Bennett, director of photography Charles Correll and Robin Curtis
  • Commentary by Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor
  • Library Computer (HD)
  • Production
    • Captain’s Log
    • Terraforming and the Prime Directive
    • Industry Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek
    • Spock: The Early Years (HD)
  • The Star Trek Universe
    • Space Docks and Birds of Prey
    • Speaking Klingon
    • Klingon and Vulcan Costumes
    • Star Trek and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (HD)
    • Starfleet Academy SCISEC Brief 003: Mystery Behind the Vulcan Katra Transfer
  • Photo Gallery
    • Production
    • The Movie
  • Storyboards
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD)

DIRECTOR: Leonard Nimoy
SCREENWRITERS: Harve Bennett
CAST: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Merritt Butrick, and Christopher Lloyd

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Synopsis

When a mysterious alien power threatens the atmosphere of Earth in the 23rd century, Kirk and his crew must time travel back to 1986 San Francisco to save mankind. Exploring this strange new world, they encounter punk rock, pizza and exact-change buses that are as alien as anything in the far reaches of the galaxy.

Bonus Features

4K Ultra HD

  • Commentary by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
  • Commentary by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman

Blu-ray

  • Commentary by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy
  • Commentary by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
  • Library Computer (HD)
  • Production
    • Future’s Past: A Look Back
    • On Location
    • Dailies Deconstruction
    • Below-the-Line: Sound Design
    • Pavel Chekov’s Screen Moments (HD)
  • The Star Trek Universe
    • Time Travel: The Art of the Possible
    • The Language of Whales
    • A Vulcan Primer
    • Kirk’s Women
    • The Three-Picture Saga (HD)
    • Star Trek for a Cause (HD)
    • Starfleet Academy SCISEC Brief 004: The Whale Probe (HD)
  • Visual Effects
    • From Outer Space to the Ocean
    • The Bird of Prey
  • Original Interviews
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • William Shatner
    • DeForest Kelley
  • Tributes
    • Roddenberry Scrapbook
    • Featured Artist: Mark Lenard
  • Production Gallery
  • Storyboards
  • Theatrical Trailer (HD)

DIRECTOR: Leonard Nimoy
SCREENWRITERS: Steve Meerson & Peter Krikes and Harve Bennett & Nicholas Meyer
CAST: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, and Catherine Hicks

Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection will be available on 4K Ultra HD on September 7, 2021.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.