Customer Reviews

How William Shatner Changed the World

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This show originally aired on The Discovery Channel. In it, William Shatner hosts an hour-long program about how the technology and ideas presented in classic Star Trek have affected both real-world technology and our ideas about what is possible in the future. Footage of the erstwhile Captain Kirk goofing on his own image (that guy has very possibly the BEST sense of humor about himself of any celebrity) is intercut with interviews and documentary-style footage (narrated by Shatner, of course) of real scientists and engineers (many of whom, you will be unsurprised to learn, were inspired as youngsters by the original Star Trek series). The result is an informative, funny and often inspiring view of what it REALLY means to live "in the future."

It's good to be reminded that the lives we live now used to be someone else's future, and the future we look forward to is a place where people are going to live.

Highly recommended.

The program, How William Shatner Changed the World is great. I have shown it to my Students in my Astronomy classes while we talk about space explortation and the future. I wanted my students to see how our facination with space has influenced our daily lives and how it affected our technology and it's change over time. All of my students were mesmerized and enthralled through the whole show. They loved it.

Thanks William Shatner,
Sincerely,
Kendall Keane
Science Teacher
East High School
Wichita, KS

This documentary does an excellent job of showing how real-life scientists were inspired by inventions shown on Star Trek. Shatner is a delightful host, too, moving us swiftly and humorously between segments. I plan on using parts of this DVD when teaching my classes this fall.

I initially watched this on cable, and after viewing my DVD copy, came away somewhat disappointed that the DVD version is edited, having left out or abbreviated at least two scenes. As an example, why did the editors of this DVD leave in Shatner's utterance of foul language (g--d---) and a brief and not necessarily funny scene of group nudity, yet completely excise a really funny scene in which the camera is panning a landscape over which Shatner is heard talking, only for the camera to settle on the closed door of an industrial outhouse? The door opens and there is Shatner holding an opened newspaper, still talking, and yes, sitting on the can. But, alas, you and I are deprived of this and remain a victim of some questionable editing.

The first half of the video is a fascinating look at how Star Trek inspired the invention of cell phones, personal computers, and medical imaging devices. It's enhanced by the appearance of some of the actual inventors of those seminal devices (though, sadly, no Steve Wozniak). This part is delightful and of special interest to those who study the interaction of the arts and technology.

The second half concentrates on the evolution of Star Trek from Roddenberry's original vision (through TNG) and then its slow decline through subsequent spin-offs. This section might be of interest to Trekkers and others who are interested in art criticism.

The first half is made lively by William Shatner's over-the-top narration and some rather quirky (perhaps irritating) directing; the second half tones it down noticeably.

All in all, it's an enjoyable watch for me, a humanities prof who enjoyed the original Star Trek, the TNG spin-off, and several of the movies (my favorite was IV). I purchased it primarily to show the first section in some of my classes.

When I first heard about this dvd, I was a little skeptical. I am a Star Trek fan, but knowing William Shatner's historical bios, I wasn't sure how well I would like it. I finally broke down and bought it. When my wife and I watched it, we loved it. We found it very insightful as it looked at the impact that Star Trek has had on our culture, and Shatner made it funny at times. Great dvd!!

Roddenberry is given credit for bringing us futuristic products that today we use in our everyday lives!
The Cell phone , personal computer which I am sure are all apple products as they really work and other products. This fascinating production shows what ideas the human imagination can spawn. well done and funny too.

Hello,

My oldest son who has Down Syndrom dearly loves Star Treck and Captian Krik and all programs about Star Trek. This DVD about William Shatner replaces the VHS tape which is deteriorating rapidly because of playing it too often. Now, ths problem has been solved and Lindy is happy again. So am I and I no longer wonder how long the DVD will last!
Thanks,
Virginia La Brie

Yes, my fellow Trekkies/Trekkers/Fans, this DVD is a must have for your Trek collection. It is just a really cool, well put-together documentary about how a lot of science today was inspired by Trek. It is amazing how many things we use today all came from someone watching probably the greatest TV franchise ever. It has actually benefitted (is that a word?) humanity! Shatner is a fun host and everything said and done is interesting.

The interviews are great, and it just isn't science stuff. George Takei, Walter Koenig, Kate Mulgrew and Jonathan Frakes are also interviewed. I highly recommend this DVD. I've seen it many times, and it isn't boring yet. In fact, I usually like watching this Doc when nothing else is on TV.

Shatner has seemingly made a career out of the art of self-promotion (countless commercials, books and short films to that effect), but I think that's because he's one of the few Hollywood types that is actually successful (a la George Hamilton) at it. The light-hearted humor and sly self-parody are almost enough to give self-promotion (in their cases, anyway) a good name. Plus, I enjoy watching someone who has as much fun as he has being serious! There is also some meat, at least, to the science-fact part of what he's talking about, so, of course, it works on that level just fine, in fact, even if you're NOT religiously familiar with Star Trek - but, it's just as eye-opening if you are, too. Highly recommended - a very enjoyable 120 minutes.