Star Trek: The Motion Picture returning to theaters

Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first of the Star Trek feature films, is returning to a theater new you for a two-day 40th anniversary screening.

When Star Trek: The Motion Picture arrived in theaters back in December of 1979, it was a huge moment for Trekkers everywhere. Their beloved television series had made the jump to the big screen and fans lined up to see Kirk, Spock and company on a new mission to boldly go.

Unfortunately, once they saw the actual movie many fans were less than pleased. While it stayed true to Gene Roddenberry‘s vision of what Star Trek should be, many more casual fans thought the movie was boring, too long and nothing like another blockbuster that had just arrived in theaters, Star Wars.

That said, Star Trek: The Motion Picture does have a large number of fans, many of whom have never had the chance to see it on the big screen, which is a shame. Because while the story may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there can be no argument that visually the film is a true marvel of the filmmaking of the time.

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Now, in honor of the movie’s 40th anniversary, everyone will have a chance to see the spectacle and widescreen effects as they were meant to be seen.

The Motion Picture is returning to theaters for a two-night engagement this fall. On September 15 and 16 the original theatrical version of the movie will screen in theaters nationwide for the first time since 1979. The screenings will be preceded by a behind-the-scenes documentary titled The Longest Trek: Writing The Motion Picture.

It is important to note that this will be a screening of the original theatrical version of the film and not the special Director’s Edition. News came out of San Diego Comic-Con that Paramount is considering doing a 4K restoration of the Director’s Edition of The Motion Picture which updated the special effects and trimmed some of the longer sequences of the film.

Tickets for the screenings go on sale Friday, August 2 through the Fathom Events website or at participating theaters.

If you have never had the chance to see Star Trek: The Motion Picture on a big screen it is well worth the money. It is perhaps one of the last science-fiction films where seeing it in a theaters actually improves the viewing experience and it should not be missed.