Product Details

• Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy
• Writers: Gene Roddenberry
• Producers: Douglas S. Cramer
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: CBS Paramount International Television
• DVD Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00001MXXU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,662 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of Terror" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Volume 4 from the DVD collection of original Star Trek programs includes broadcast episode 2, the memorable "Charlie X," starring Robert Walker Jr. as a troubled teen presenting two big problems: pathological immaturity and powerful telekinetic powers. After he wills the destruction of a starship that drops him off with the Enterprise, the titular delinquent stalks a female member of the crew and creates havoc using his terrifying ability to make people, in his own words, "go away."

Also on this disc is "Balance of Terror," a terrific drama that was essentially an outer-space version of a 1950s submarine movie. Writer Paul Schneider introduced both the Romulans and the concept of a "neutral zone" to Trek lore, wrapped up in this story about the first encounter between a Federation and Romulan ship in 75 years. The resulting face-off between two vessels and their strong, noble captains--Kirk (William Shatner) and his Romulan counterpart (Mark Lenard, who later played Spock's Vulcan father, Sarek)--is directed and edited with suspense worthy of the classic sub movie, The Enemy Below. It's an example of how the original Trek series took lots of risks and constantly invented itself, in contrast to the more codified look and feel of The Next Generation and subsequent series. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FASTER PARAMOUNT, PRINT FASTER!, November 4, 1999

By 

Jason Cordes "bagherra" (Bryan, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of Terror (DVD)

I was surprised to see they bumped the schedule run on these and we will have 6 discs by the end of the year (and with any hope that will hop to 8). The transfers are gorgeous, though the audio does drop out here and there (problem of remixing mono to stereo...and certainly harder to make mono surround).

I think the Sci-Fi channel interviews would have been cool to add to these episodes, but I also understand that licensing doesn't always go smoothly. Perhaps we can get some DVD's at the end of the series release that has all the interviews on a single disc? (maybe even with a coupon in the last few discs that will give you the interview disc(s) free with proofs of purchase of several of the episodes?)

If you own the series on VHS, I HIGHLY recommend you upgrade to these digital transfers, they are so much cleaner, brighter, and sharper than ANY of the VHS transfers I have ever seen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just about all around superb, March 7, 2000

By 

Michael Hickerson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of Terror (DVD)

Being a huge Trek fan, I'm glad to see that Paramount is releasing all of the classic episodes on DVD. And they are all digitally enhanced and remastered from their "Special Edition" showing on the Sci-Fi channel. Which brings up the biggest problem I've got with them so far. The Sci-Fi channel changed the opening credits on several of the earliest episodes before a massive outcry caused them to restore the credits to the way they SHOULD be. I figured when the DVDs came out, Paramount would see the error of their ways and restore the original credits. Not so here. Charlie X features the new credits sequence as a different version of the classic theme. (If you listen closely you can tell). Thankfully, this error is corrected on later releases, but surely Paramount should have known that if anything, we Trekkers are meticulous about details concerning our favorite show.

Not that this should turn you off of these magnificent DVDs. The digitally enhancement and super sound more than make-up for any minor defects. And Charlie X and Balance of Terror are two of the finer early entries from the Star Trek universe. Charlie is a study in tragedy, the first work from the great D.C. Fontana and Balance features the first appearance of the Romulans as well as a superb chess match between Kirk and the Romulan commander. The episodes stand up well, even after over 30 years of repeat viewings--they are still fresh, entertaining and original (something I doubt will be said about Voyager in 30 years)

All in all, two Treks well worth taking.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Balance of Terror one of the best ST:TOS; Charlie X OK, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 4, Episodes 8 & 9: Charlie X/ Balance of Terror (DVD)

I saw with some disappointment that Balance of Terror had been bundled with Charlie X. A better match would have been a more action-oriented episode, such as Amok Time. Still, Balance of Terror is worth the price of the bundle. In my opinion, it is one of the top 5 ST:TOS eps, and also one of the most "adult." The nobility, professionalism and skill of the two soldiers (Kirk and the Romulan captain) are admirable as the story twists and turns through basically a 45-minute battle. The opening and closing, with the married couple who suffers a loss, is a final dramatic touch. Along with City on the Edge of Forever, Balance of Terror is classic, classic Trek. I have to say, though, that the lack of DVD extras is extremely disappointing. The clarity is nice, but when you are talking about 30+-year-old TV shows, the DVD package should include extras to add value for the many loyal Trek fans. Paramount goofed on this.