Customer Reviews

Inside Star Trek - The Real Story [VHS]

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I bought this video, and for the first time in my life, I was really sorry that I couldn't return it. This is a documentary about the original Star Trek series, told from the point of view of the producers and the powers-that-be from NBC. This film is filled with network propaganda and attempts to absolve the network from any blame regarding the cancellation of Star Trek. There is absolutely no content from the series, no appearances by any of the actors, and no comments from any members of the late Gene Roddenberry's family or friends. The comments are very inflamatory towards Mr. Roddenberry, accusing him of everything that ever went wrong with Star Trek. One of the people in this film even went as far as to say that Star Trek wasn't buried on Friday nights at 10pm. I was there... I watched it on Friday nights... at 10pm.

I'm not sure what the point of this documentary was, except maybe for the studio to take credit for the great success of Star Trek, instead of their documented attempts to kill the series. Don't bother... or if you really want to see it, you can have my copy.

I never thought I would see a video like this in my life time! It is based on the book of the same title and it is, finaly, a true and honest rendition of how Star Trek was made. Gene Roddenberry helped create the show but he was just one part- Gene Coon was just as much the reason Star Trek was great as Gene Roddenberry. Herb Solow, Robert Justman, Sam Peoples, Robert Butler, James Goldstone they all had a hand in the birth of Trek.

If you want the real story, with no hype, of these guys who built a televsion icon with no money, no support and no fame than this is the true history of Star Trek.

This is a worthwhile companion to the (outstanding) book of the same name, but it doesn't stand up all that well by itself. But it *is* a very worthwhile resource for hardcore fans who want to hear the stories firsthand. Solow tells you upfront that you won't hear from the actors, since you've already been hearing their stories for 30 years (at the time of filming.) It's time for everybody else to get their turn.

It's great to hear firsthand how the Enterprise was designed, and to hear the story told by the guy who did it, who has since died. On the other hand, the story of how stardates came to be isn't all that interesting, and they keep cutting away to some CGI in order to distract you from the rambling story. But it's there for people who want to know. You also hear from the composer of the music, Alexander Courage, also now deceased. [In the book of the same name, you can read how Roddenberry wrote some horrific lyrics to the theme music for the sole purpose of stealing 50% of the publishing royalties. Courage is classy enough to leave out that part on camera.] Plus interviews with directors, writers, and a tour of the studio lot and the exterior of the buildings where Trek was made. Not for the casual fan, but great for the hard-core fans.

I should also point out that while the network execs do a bit of spinning to absolve themselves of past sins, at no time do they deny moving it to Fridays, despite what you read in a previous review.

This little video makes a nice companion to Solow and Justman's book of the same name, but it isn't much on its own. If you watch it without reading the book, you'll probably not find much to enjoy. But together they make a very enjoyable -- and thorough -- look behind the scenes.

The premise of both book and video is that the people who really made Star Trek what it was never appeared on the screen, and have never really gotten the credit they deserve. This is undeniably true. The producers, writers, directors, composers, set designers, editors, costumers, et. al. really are at least as responsible for the success of the show as the actors and Roddenberry. Even the studio and network people must be given some credit for sticking with it a lot longer than their sales force wanted them to.

So, if you're interested in the world which was created (the so-called "Star Trek Universe"), don't bother with this video. But if you're interested in just how that world was created, read the book first, then view the video.

The video simply serves to put faces to the names, and allow these people to retell their favorite stories (all of which are found in the book). It's a disjointed 48 minutes, as the stories are assembled basically at random, and the subjects are not very polished. They often appear more than a little bit uncomfortable on camera, and tell their stories in somewhat rambling fashion. The effect is something like a bunch of former coworkers reminiscing about a great company where they all once worked together (it is true that they weren't always very fond of the boss, but that's downplayed on the tape).

If you're into behind-the-scenes, this is quite fascinating. You've heard of people like Alexander Courage, Kellam DeForest, Matt Jefferies, and Grant Tinker. Here they all tell some short stories, hosted by Herb Solow himself, and you get a glimpse of the people who did a lot of the heavy lifting.

This video is not recommended if you're interested in the anatomy of a salt vampire, but highly recommended if you're interested in who turned the idea of a salt vampire into a shootable script, who designed its habitat, and who convinced the network to fund and then air the finished result.

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"inside startrek" does just that...taks you inside, behind the lines, of a television legend. and, as with all legends, the truth sometimes doesn't live up to the myth, and that's probably why a lot of people have panned this. also true, is the fact that their is no kirk, no spock and no clips. HELLO! there isn't supposed to be...that's the point. i can't believe that any TRUE fan would be caught dead without this. it is an intersting look from people who were there and have no adjenda other than settng some records straight, even if it's just from their perspective. and if you can't handle that, next time you beam down to a hostile planet, wear a red shirt!