We appear to be living in a bit of a renaissance for Star Trek-related documentaries. Today brings news of a brand new project looking at things from a unique perspective, coming from some people familiar to Trek fans.
1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever!
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is still considered by many to be the best film in the franchise, and it arrived in theaters on June 4, 1982. That year turned out to be a watershed moment for genre movies that are still beloved, including E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, The Thing, Creepshow, The Dark Crystal, Tron, Conan The Barbarian, Cat People, The Road Warrior, and Poltergeist, which happened to open the same day as Star Trek II.
And today a brand new documentary film was announced that will offer the ultimate look back at this ultimate year for genre fans. 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! is being developed by award-winning producers Roger Lay, Jr. (Star Trek: The Roddenberry Vault, The Twilight Zone 60th: Remembering Rod Serling), Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, The Librarians), and Thomas P. Vitale (Nextflix’s Slasher, Pandora).
“1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! is not just a documentary,” says Scott Mantz, one of the film’s producers and a noted film critic and broadcast entertainment journalist. “It’s a time machine that takes viewers back to one of the greatest years of movies ever as we examine the biggest blockbusters as well as the cult classics that made it so unforgettable.”
The new film promised to include exclusive interviews with genre superstars, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive never-before-seen clips “in a fun, lively, no holds barred celebration of the legendary moviegoing year of 1982.” The doc will also revisit cult films from 1982 such as Megaforce and Time Rider, as well as action classics like First Blood and Rocky III.
The film is seeking crowdfunding with a Kickstarter campaign running through June. Here is the launch video.
Altman on 1982 doc and importance of Wrath of Khan
1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! is made by fans and for fans. Mark Altman in particular should be familiar to readers of TrekMovie as a periodic contributor as well as the co-author of The Fifty-Year Mission books on Star Trek history, and co-host of the popular Inglorious Treksperts podcast. Speaking to TrekMovie, Altman explained why Trek fans should be excited about this new project:
“I think fans of Star Trek are going to be particularly intrigued by this film as we’re going to reveal some never-before-heard stories about Khan, and by extension, The Motion Picture with cast and creatives from both films not to mention it’s being produced by some of the world’s foremost Treksperts like myself, Scott Mantz and Roger Lay, Jr. who not only did all the bonus material on multiple Trek home video releases including the Next Generation restoration but The Roddenberry Vault as well not to mention the great Mike Okuda who did the logo for the film. We’re going to do a deep dive into Khan in the doc including some stories I left out of my book, The Fifty-Year Mission, and I also promise for die-hard Shatner fans – and who isn’t we’ll cover Visiting Hours and Airplane 2: The Sequel from that year as well!”
He also provided an update on where they are currently with the project.
“We recently started filming on the doc as we need to make the 40th anniversary release date,” says Mark A. Altman who is not only the showrunner on the CW’s Pandora, but host of Inglorious Treksperts and the author of St. Martin’s Press’s bestselling Trek tomes, The 50 Year Mission. “The goal is to have it out hopefully theatrically, but at least on streaming, by next year’s 40th anniversary of The Wrath Of Khan. And yes that really does make me feel old… and not as when the world was young.”
The film will be completed this fall for a planned theatrical release in 2022, the 40th anniversary of the films of 1982. The producers chose the 39th anniversary of the release of Star Trek II and Poltergeist to launch the Kickstarter campaign.
And for another connection, check out the poster below where Star Trek II is front and center, along with a logo created by acclaimed Star Trek designer Mike Okuda.
Help make it happen on Kickstarter
The filmmakers launched the Kickstarter campaign to supplement the film’s production budget to allow for the additional licensing of clips, clearances, and global travel, which is extra complicated in the age of COVID. They are starting with a goal of $125,000, with the campaign wrapping up at the end of June. Support levels start at $10 to just help out. Higher levels offer supporters a variety of perks including a digital copy, DVD, access to exclusive special features, and much more. There are of course collectibles including the poster, books, and more. And if you are feeling very generous there are some high-end supporter perks including tickets to the Hollywood premiere and even an associate producer credit.
To find out more and to support the doc visit Kickstarter.com.
Find more coverage of Star Trek documentaries at TrekMovie.com.
The year I graduated HS. Yep…feeling old.
Man, you ARE OLD! i grauduated in ’85. ; )
Me too! 1982 was a damned good year.
The year I was born!
That comment was uncalled for. ; )
I love that poster. Brings back some memories..
But that’s a 1990s-era Star Trek II poster on the wall. The one where Montalban looks like Bea Arthur. That’s not the poster that was around in 1982, which had the “At the end of the universe lies the beginning of vengeance” tagline.
Actually, no. That poster wasn’t circulated domestically, but it was a genuine release poster from 82. I had the same poster, 27 x 41, but in Italian, which I acquired in 1985. It was also the basis for the newspaper ad, though that had a much longer scroll printed on it, the one that read:
Somewhere in the darkest reaches of the universe, a battle is about to begin.
A battle between good and evil, between a warrior and a madman …
between the awesome power of the starship enterprise and the wrath of Khan.
For some it will be their first mission. For others … it will be the last.
I always hated the ‘hollywood squares’ poster, especially compared to Peak’s awesome one (even though it had the E attacking Regula.)
I have both TWOK posters, the ‘Hollywood squares’ version was part of the UK fold out poster magazine. and then years later I bought all the 27×40 ‘one sheet’ movie posters for Treks 1-5 which had the painted Bob Peak version of II. Had them all next to each other just a happy time 😊 ..i remember getting VI was abit of a struggle back in 91/92 as could only seem to get the quad version in uk..then eventually tracked down the proper 27/40 size.. Then started on the opposite wall for GEN & FC (replacing the 3 OT Star Wars movie posters).. but after INS was so bad and the poster so boring replaced them with posters for Matrix, Fight Club and the latest Bond lol
Have you ever seen Peak’s rejected art for LICENCE TO KILL, back when it was going to be called LICENSE REVOKED? It’s not very busy at all, just Dalton/Bond as Dirty Harry, but with a few Peak flourishes.
I so miss REAL movie posters.
Yes ive seen BPeaks LtK. And yeah the movie poster artwork of yesteryear is a lost. well art.. ever since the Photoshop stuff .. I know a few modern sm artists specialise in those 80s retro style film posters that look good some even ending up as official stuff for dvd/blu ..and drew struzen recently tweeted he hopes to come out of retirement for Indy 5 (his one sheet for Crystal Skull must be one of the last ‘real’ movie posters)
I stand corrected. Thanks!
The year of my birth. It all makes sense now ;-)
Another 82 baby. Nice to see they’re making a film about our awesome arrivals.
I was born in the first week of ’83 so I guess I missed it all.
People always want to shoot me when I say this but: I hate, I hate, I hate and I HATE E.T.
You are not alone.
me too. But not as much as I hate MEGAFORCE.
I remember seeing commercials for Megaforce, but never saw the movie. Based on your comment, it sounds like that was for the best.
It shows how badly things can go when you deliberately try to create a franchise by ticking off the ‘right’ boxes. In this case, they ticked off viewers too. Also, Barry Bostwick was not the guy to be wearing skintight Lycra, he looked more like a Rod Stewart clone than an action hero. The movie does have some nice Introvision shots (process used on OUTLAND to put characters INSIDE a background rather than in front of it), but then there are flying shots using the Zoptic Superman process that are beyond hideous. And no good guy dies, not even one sacrificial lamb. Hal Needham was always a lousy director, but he ‘topped’ himself here.
Felt really bad for Michael Beck, who had this as a followup after XANADU, squandering all the good career possibilities established with THE WARRIORS.
I love it and think it was robbed the Best Picture Oscar. Sorry, Ghandi.
That’s fair. I’m not saying that other people should feel the same, I just can’t stand it, never have, even back then. I use to be worried that they would do a sequel.
Did you ever ride the Universal Studios ET ride? That was an official sequel created with Spielberg. It was a trippy weird thing.
More and more I think THE THING should have won best picture that year. Took me years to fall in love with it, but this century I rewatch it more often than just about any other film from that era, even BLADE RUNNER and TWOK (granted, I had already seen both of those more than 100x back in the 20th.)
I was in the middle of what was nearly a 20-year drought on Best Picture Oscar winners, as the last time I picked a winner was THE STING, and it didn’t happen again till SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and UNFORGIVEN. Most years, my pick wasn’t even nominated, like RAGTIME/TRUE CONFESSIONS, and even when they were, they’d lose to lesser forms, like APOC and JAZZ did to KRAMER V KRAMER.
There was exciting real-life space stuff in 1982, too. The future looked bright for the Space Shuttle, Columbia landing at the end of the STS-4 mission on the 4th of July watched by President Reagan, who a short time later gave a speech and at the end said, “Challenger, you are clear for takeoff” and the Boeing 747 with the new Challenger on its back roared down the runway and took off behind him. Reagan always knew how to put on a show, but he outdid himself that day. Very cool!
Yes, 1982 was indeed a great year to be a nerd.
Ah “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” the film that made me fell in love with Phoebe Cates. More simpler times back then where actresses didn’t have problem doing nudity. I kind of miss these kind of “simple” films. These days everything seems needlessly complicated.
She’s got to be somebody’s baby…
Well, Kevin Kline is a lucky guy :))
FAST TIMES made every straight guy fall in love with Phoebe Cates. Or, at least, in lust. ;-)
“More simpler times back then where actresses didn’t have problem doing nudity.”
Ugh.
I was 27 in 1982. Yes, I am so old, my native tongue was Latin.
Then you’re old enough to know that your joke name would be more successful if it employed the real German surname of “Balz,” or there is “Baals” … Harry Baals was a long-time 20th century mayor of Fort Wayne, IN.
That’s interesting, Vice Admiral Nakamura. The other joke name I was tempted to go with was………(wait for it)…………..Holden McGroin.
Thoughts?
Birthplace of Col. Taylor from PLANET OF THE APES.
1984 always felt like a sequel to 1982 as there were a similar number of iconic movies.. with 1989 sort of like the trilogy capper of huge number of iconic films in a year.. But really every 80s year was just amazing for iconic movies (as was some of the 90s) .. And now and then you get like a throwback/repeat year or summer to one of those (2008/89 batman/indy/bond. 2016/84 ST3/GB/Tarzan. 2022/89 Batman/indy again)
I always liked 1984 more than 1982 when it came to movies. I understand Star Trek II, but the others in 1982 would not make it the greatest geek year to me. That year SHOULD be 1984: Gremlins, Ghostbusters, Temple of Doom, Karate Kid, and the very underrated Star Trek III.
But to each their own I guess.
Oh, and I was 8 years old in 1982, which is right about the time I really got in to movies.
82 edges 84 out due to the sheer number of undisputed classics Trek II, Blade Runner, The Thing, Mad Max 2, ET, Conan, Rambo, Poltergeist, Tron … I know 84 had those classics u mentioned (and the likes of 2010, Tarzan, BHC, RTS, PA and most of all The Terminator) but 82 just edges 84 out (and is no doubt why it was chosen for this doc.. 84 would definitely be the year to use for a sequel 80s doc though..with maybe 89 the 3rd most iconic 80s year mainly due to the powerful one two of Last Crusade/Batman..plus BTTF2, GB2, LTK, LW2 etc and yes even Trek V)
Cashing in on nostalgia.
!
I’m enthused about the potential of this project. ’82 was a great year in film. The bizarre contrast with today is that I saw all of those movies in the theater as an 8-year old kid and had absolutely no problems with them, apart from POLTERGEIST, which scared the sh*t out of me for some time after. Taking kids to see regular movies was what parents did in those days. Seeing things above our level of understanding made us think, wonder and wrestle with new, sometimes scary concepts. It was a mind-expanding experience. Today, John Hughes movies on TV come with ideological warnings. I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s had nightmares from exposure to comedic portrayals of “ethnic stereotypes,” though I don’t doubt that such people probably exist.
Hollywood activists only seem to have a problem with stereotypes of non-white people. They hypocritically have no problem in demonising Russians.
I am trying to think if a movie series like Monty Python could be made today. I mean those films are still as funny as hell but I am sure if they tried doing them now someone somewhere would get offended and then the tweets would start. Like I said in my post above, those years were more simpler years and it certainly wasn’t bad being simple no matter what some people want you to believe.
‘I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s had nightmares from exposure to comedic portrayals of “ethnic stereotypes,” though I don’t doubt that such people probably exist.‘
Yes, ethnic people exist.
and those stereotypes affect how many are treated by other races and those in authority.
And how do you suppose the *gong* sound associated with the Chinese character in SIXTEEN CANDLES has affected how Chinese people have been treated over the past 35 years? I have to say that my friends of Chinese descent seem entirely unaffected by it. In fact, they’re both doing better than I am, at the moment, and I’ve never had a *gong* sound in a comedy film associated with my ethnicity. But, what do I know.
I see you’ve gone out of your way to misconstrue my comment.
My initial reaction is that it’s dishonest. But, then it occurs to me that sanctimony is inherently dishonest.
No Blu-ray? Pass.
how can that be the greatest geek year when TNG wasn’t even on yet
A geek who doesn’t know and honor the history of his own subspecies? That sounds more like the old definition of geek, the one that bit the heads off live chickens.
I haven’t seen 48HRS mentioned yet, or the most prophetic film of the year (though it is eight kinds of a mess), WRONG IS RIGHT.
It’s very specific, but what I really miss about the 80s was how at that time there were still some (not many) movie theaters that were very well maintained, as in, they had the right projector bulb (as in, bright enough to show the film properly) and the screens weren’t all wrecked. I’d travel 30 miles out of my way to see films at Palo Alto Square or Cinema 150, rather than watch them at Century theaters, which had these great dome shapes from when they were first built with 70mm and ToddAO in mind, but most had been cut into halves or thirds.
I saw STAR TREK V at the Palo Alto Square and the experience was 50x better than at the Century — the framing was correct (Century theaters nearly always cropped — on TWOK, you couldn’t even see Jedda when he is on the upper deck of the Regulae complex) and the image was exceptional.
By the time of the 90s, the good theaters were gone and projection was godawful nearly everywhere, except for a little place in Campbell called the Plaza that was incredibly cheap and still ran double features. Man, when I saw LOST HIGHWAY there, you could see more detail up on screen than I ever did for the next 20 years, till I got the blu-ray. That’s as opposed to, say, STAR TREK GENERATIONS, which I had to see at the Century, and was so dark that you could never tell where the character’s black pants were relative to the dark flooring, it was like watching at a drive-in.
It’s the experience that I most remember about a lot of these films as much as the films themselves. The audience at CE3K (Cinema 150) was amazing opening night, and the movie blew one of the speakers out when a saucer roared by on the right. But people went with it, it was kind of an in-person equivalent to when the glass blows out of a tower in the film earlier!
In no sense of the word can 48 Hrs be considered a geek movie. Granted, neither can Rocky III, so I’m not what criteria they’re using other than “things we like.”
maybe it is movies you geek out over?
Maybe!
I was born April of 1982 so I should be in that doc! :)
Are you a movie?