Star Wars, TOS, Superman II, TMP have all had special treatment – so should Trek V

Doug L.

I mean, for God’s sake! The film really doesn’t even have an ending the way it exists right now. The final “confrontation” on Sha Ka Ree is just shit patched together in the editing room to make a final release date!

I have a sneaking suspicion it’s just a matter of time before the film is restored. I never thought Richard Donner would get to complete Superman II the way he envsioned it, but it happened. The same will likely happen with STV.

However, having said that, someone like Darren could take that footage and finish the effects digitally — taking the wires out of the spacewalk scene and adding whatever animation (Richard Taylor of RA&A told me they planned at the time to do even the glow effects for the bits as practical on-set visuals with on-set lighting. The bits were covered in hightly reflective Scotchlite and reflected the effects lighting.). and mattes were required to finish it up. Granted, from what I know of the sequence, that would have to be a labor of love as it would take many manhours to complete even using today’s technology.

I have no idea what miniature work was completed. Probert says on his site that he saw some finished work…so, it exists in the Paramount vaults somewhere.

There is no telling what exists collecting dust in the vaults. We may never know…sadly…

Sounds like you got a double dose of Starship that day dude! ;-)

I’ve followed your work. I admire your efforts on TDM. I would Love to see what you would do for TFF. I believe that TFF could be greatly improved with new effects and the correction of the many errors–the turbo numbering etc. I do hope that the Powers that Be let you do your magic on TFF. LLAP Derek

I’d love for the chance to go back to TMP and bring it up to HD quality, as I’m sure my partners Dave Fein and Mike Matessino would as well. As far as I know, no plans for doing that exist.

The idea for doing that kind of update to Trek V was a good one too, and I was part of pitching that as well… but I believe the studio at that time had no interest in pursuing it… a real shame.

It would be a lot of fun to bring the old team back together and bring the movie into the next century…

I was four when the film came out and first saw it on VHS in 1983. As an eight year old who loved the colour and boldness of TOS, it was very disappointing. As a 27 year old in 2002, I was a very happy bunny to see the movie better paced and very faithful new FX blending almost seamlessly with the originals!

I was disappointed at how dirty the print was and it seemed bizarre for Daren and his team’s FX to have to render dirt on their images to blend them better!

The two things I’m really hoping for when the Trek films get HD release are a fully-cleaned TMP with additional FX rebuilt in HD by Daren and for someone to buff up the original FX in STV:TFF. A bit of restructuring and some new FX would make all the difference in Shatner’s film.

Good luck Roberto.