The forthcoming DVD release of Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 3 includes a pilot episode previously only available on the bootleg circuit. Apparently a German film collector found a print of this alternate version of the second Star Trek pilot, titled "Where No One Has Gone Before," and brought it to Paramount. Above are some clips from that alternate version of the pilot, which has never officially been released until now. From The Live Feed:
The alternate version is in three parts with 1970s-style act breaks, an entirely different version of Captain James T. Kirk's opening monologue ("But now a new task. A probe out into where no man has gone before") and music that contrasts from the famous opening theme and an extended action sequence.Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 3, Blu-ray (Amazon, thanks Jason Weisberger!)From the (press) release:
This version of "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was completed in 1965 and features archived footage that was not included in the pilot episode ultimately broadcasted. Never-before-aired, this newly recovered version is believed to be what was originally screened for NBC, and the basis for their decision to broadcast STAR TREK.
UPDATE: From Memory Alpha, more background on this alternative version of the pilot episode:
There is a different, pre-broadcast cut of ("Where No One Has Gone Before") in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution. This unique cut includes a few brief scenes trimmed from the aired cut of the episode, different opening titles, and a unique closing theme. The alternate closing theme can be heard on the GNP Crescendo CD Star Trek: Original Series (Volume 1) "The Cage" / "Where No Man Has Gone Before". The pre-broadcast cut is commercially available only in bootleg form, although it has been screened at numerous conventions. Paul Carr was credited as "Navigator" in the end credits of the original cut. The version on the first season box set may contain the alternate ending theme, but does have the changed credits. This cut will be finally be available commercially on the Season 3 Blu-Ray set.
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That's odd, I've actually seen that intro before, I think on a tape of previews/bloopers. I guess it was a bootleg. It was in a lot better condition than this one, though!
I'll be honest, fellas: I coulda used a little more lens flare.
I mean, I really liked the way Gene explored the studio space that time, but trust me. You're gonna want that lens flare on the Trek.
Hmm, definitely recorded off an old-fashioned, curved CRT TV set.
Most memorable is the as yet unestablished back story for Spock. Smiles, then talks about "your human emotions", then displays irritation himself? Human woman one of his ancestors? I loved ToS when I was the age of my youngest daughter, and it really shaped who I am today. Looking back, it's hard to remember that this was cutting-edge in 1966. Also interesting to hear Shatner's voice in the early stages of character development. "Can we do less nasal, Bill? Thanks!" was likely one of the directions heard in the ADR studio for the voice-overs…
I recognize these scenes from Season 1 Episode 3 "Where No Man has Gone Before".
Apparently this is an *alternate version" of "Where No Man Has Gone Before."
From the quoted THRFeed.com post:
And yet they filmed it in 1965! Speculative fiction indeed.
I must've seen the bootleg, and yes - much higher quality than this video.
I was sure that it had an official release somewhere, with the extended scenes and alternate music.
But I've been lost in plus 100 degree heat for 7 days now, so who knows whats up or down, let alone what version of a 60s television show I may have seen.
Hopefully (and it seems from the article) that they are avoiding the Lucas re-do, although that already happened to this episode with CGI Enterprise and backgrounds. Was aired in 2007.
George Takei as Chief Physicist Sulu, eh?
George Takei as as Chief Physicist Sulu? Well that's just silly. We all know those kinds of people can't do physics. And by "those kinds," I of course mean fencers.
I have seen this before, odd titles and music, minor editing survivors (extra corridor scenes, a word or phrase or, if I recall, at least one multi-sentence conversation that were taken out of the version that aired. And has been mentioned, it was MUCH better quality. I suspect (but can't find right now) a DVD I bought specifically for having "Where No Man" as one of its two choices (I think the other show was the final one, "Turnabout Intruder") but, IIRC, these and other outtakes were part of the Special Features on that disc.
But remember, JF, Roddenberry said he'd like to see Star Trek updated as the technology improved, even to the point of "A younger generation of actors playing our familiar characters ..." And JJ's remake may have once again kept the venerable old gal afloat. But with regard to the CGI replacement versions, I heard word-of-mouth from people working on the project that it was being VERY carefully overseen by Little Rod and they didn't "change" anything, they "fixed" it! It has its place, detracts nothing from the original series but will even draw gasps from the seasoned Trek fan on occasion. A prime example is the episode "The Doomsday Machine" -- make it a point to see that single episode, THEN decide.
I quite like this, actually.
It seems like there are the elements that were later used in a few of the movies.
Of course every true geek knows that the original pilot featured Captain Pike in command of the Enterprise, not Kirk. That footage was later used in a very forward-looking act of recycling to create the two-part episode "The Menagerie."
I find it amusing that the biggest visible difference between Roddenberry's original vision and the "Star Trek" we all came to know is that Kirk's ship was a lot less progressive that Pike's. (Pike had an intelligent woman as his XO and there wasn't a miniskirt or fishnet stocking to be seen.)
Also and more importantly, Pike was way hotter than Kirk.
If you closed your eyes and listened,it sure sounded like Star Trek TOS. And I loved the intro, heading off into the unknown blackness of space.
Man, the visual effects on TOS were horrible, I never saw one convincing space shot.
Strikes me as very "twilight zone"ish, this take I've never seen before. Really, though, I was a kid when TNG came out (a time when I was watching lots and lots of twilight zone) and I fell in love and never really looked back. I like this view of TOS, which never did much for me outside of the movies.
The "Star Trek" opening font looks like actual plastic letters resting on black velvet, ala' Gumby and other TV shows from the days before electronic "keying". The music sounds more like 1950s or even 1940s Sci-Fi dramatic.