Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
General Info
| Awards | Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film, Saturn Award for Best Costumes |
|---|---|
| Genres | Science Fiction, Adventure |
| Music By | Cliff Eidelman |
| Tagline | The Battle For Peace Has Begun |
| Edited By | Ronald Roose |
| Film Name | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country |
| Starring | William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Kim Cattrall, Christopher Plummer |
| Languages | English, Klingon |
| Directed By | Nicholas Meyer |
| Produced By | Ralph Winter, Steven-Charles Jaffe |
| Budget in USD | 27000000 |
| Release Date | 1991-12-06 |
| Running Time | 110 minutes |
| Screenplay By | Nicholas Meyer, Denny Martin Flinn |
| Content Rating | PG |
| Distributed By | Paramount Pictures |
| Original Title | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country |
| Box Office in USD | 96800000 |
| Cinematography | Hiro Narita |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Trailer Youtube URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSxWAsaqFVI |
| Production Company Name | Paramount Pictures |
| Production Company Website URL | www.paramount.com |
Overview
The story takes place after a historic disaster on Praxy, the main energy production center of the giant Klingon Empire. Faced with environmental catastrophe and a looming economic crisis at home, the Klingons are reluctant to see the reality of peaceful coexistence with their old adversaries, the Federation. Admiral James T. Kirk and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise are on a diplomatic mission to escort the Klingon Chancellor to peace talks, a mission that takes a turn for the worse when the Chancellor is mysteriously murdered.
Kirk and Dr. McCoy are falsely accused of masterminding the murder, further escalating interstellar tensions. The crew of the Enterprise must race against time to uncover the true culprits, clear the names of their loyal comrades, and keep the flickering hope of peace alive.
Impressive performances by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley light up the screen and captivate the audience as their characters grapple with personal prejudices and high political interests. The film also has no shortage of humor or high action, all of which make for a well-rounded cinematic experience. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is a memorable and fitting swan song for the original crew of the iconic Starship Enterprise.
Trailer
Screenshots
Plot
In this extraordinary turn of events, Spock takes command of the company and embarks on a secret mission to expose the conspirators and save his comrades. It's a race against time as Kirk and McCoy struggle to survive the harsh conditions of the Klingon correctional colony Rura Penthe and await their revenge.
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, Spock and his crew discover a startling trail of anomalies that point to a hidden predator that can shoot in disguise, the cause of all the chaos. It becomes clear that secret actors are at work, driven by historical prejudices and grievances, maneuvering to ensure all-out war.
The big climax takes place during a major diplomatic conference where Spock's team uncovers the real culprits and their shocking identities, drawn from both the Klingons and the Federation. In the midst of this adversity, Kirk manages to send both sides a strong and heartfelt message of unity and peace, preventing all-out war from the brink. As an apt allegory for a real-life Cold War scenario, this film reflects the intricacies of the pursuit of political peace, delving into the themes of prejudice, fear of change, and the enormous sacrifices made in pursuit of peaceful coexistence. Sums up the story elegantly and marks a fitting end to the original team's cinematic journey.
Production
The construction of scenography, props and movie scenes was carefully planned. Filming took place primarily on Paramount's Stage 29, although other Los Angeles locations were also used. Production designers and artists worked tirelessly to tangibly recreate the starships and environments of the Star Trek universe. The special effects department, led by Industrial Light & Magic, spent countless hours creating stunning visual effects that enriched the story and captivated the audience.
The challenge for the production team was to create a story that references the previous installments and films, in order to maintain continuity while providing new twists. This required an expansion of the Star Trek story, focusing heavily on the political tensions between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. This was done to create a deeper and more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, Cliff Eidelman's score helped set the tone for the film. The music, composed to emphasize certain moments and create tension, added another layer to the film's story.
Above all, the camaraderie of the entire production team was critical to the success of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Despite the bittersweet news that this was the last appearance of the original cast, they remained determined to make a film that captured the spirit of Star Trek.
Release
The film grossed over $96.8 million worldwide. USD - Commercial success was slightly less than its predecessor's earnings, but it was still a respectable end to the filming of the original series. The film's artistry was recognized when it was nominated for two Oscars, in the categories of Best Makeup and Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing. On home video, the film was originally released on LaserDisc and VHS in 1992, followed by multiple DVD releases, most recently as a special collector's edition in 2004. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, the remastered Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was released in 2016. on Blu-ray for a new generation of fans to enjoy. The film has remained a fan favorite over the years thanks to its strong performances, compelling storyline, and fond farewell to the crew of the iconic USS Enterprise.
Reception
However, some critics complained about the fictional plot elements and perceived lack of originality. Some even expressed frustration with the film's villain, General Chang, unfavorably comparing him to Ricardo Montalbano's Khan from the second Star Trek film. However, most agreed that the film's strengths outweighed its weaknesses, making it a fun and thoughtful watch.
In retrospect, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is often ranked as one of the best Star Trek films. Fans appreciate the thoughtful storytelling, strong performances, and dedication to completing the crew's journey to their satisfaction. The film's message of hope about the possibility of change and the end of destructive cycles resonated with viewers and is still relevant today. This film definitely made its mark on the Star Trek franchise and continues to serve as a reference point for future installments.
Cultural impact
One of the film's greatest cultural effects lies in its deep social commentary, which successfully explores the fall of communism through allegory and symbolism. By metaphorically illustrating the Cold War through the relationship between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, viewers got an up-close look at the intricacies of political power play and the role of diplomacy in peace efforts.
Even more striking was the film's commentary on prejudice. Racial tension was a metaphor for the prejudice and racism that is still prevalent in today's society. How the characters deal with and overcome prejudice underscored a critical message for the audience: the importance of unity and acceptance, a message that remains relevant.
Undiscovered Land also left a lasting impression with its stunning visuals. Visual effects, such as the infamous no-gravity blood scene, have become iconic elements of pop culture, later referenced and parodied in numerous films and media.
The film's influence also extends to language. The very subtitle "The Undiscovered Country", originating from Hamlet's monologue "To be or not to be", was further popularized by the film, penetrating the dialogues and titles of other films, TV shows, novels and even music.
Star Trek VI struck a delicate balance between tackling heavy subjects in a fun and accessible way and its influence echoed in modern science fiction and popular culture. It gave the audience food for thought while providing dramatic tension and an enjoyable cinematic experience. Its influence cemented the film's place in cultural history as one of the most poignant and relevant entries in the Star Trek franchise.