Stunning BBC dramatisation of the decline and fall of three European dynasties featuring an amazing cast of British actors. In the latter half of the 19th Century, three ruling houses dominated Europe: the Hapsburgs of Austria-Hungary, the Romanovs of Russia and Hohenzollerns of Germany. Centuries of despotism, a continued lack of social reform and the advent of the devastating First World War caused the vultures of revolution to star t circling. This 13-part epic drama features a who's who ...
X-Men Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Under the tutelage of Professor X (Patrick Stewart) the outcasts learn to harness their powers and must now protect mankind from the evil Magneto (Ian McKellen). This first chapter of the X-Men saga features an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman Halle Berry Anna Paquin and Rebecca Romijn. X-Men 2 Hatred and distrust brew between human and mutantkind. An unprovoked mutant attack on the President gives General William Stryker (Brian Cox) his long-awaited opportunity to wage all-out war against the mutants. A war that would leave only one race victorious. Xavier (Patrick Stewart) Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) Storm (Halle Berry) and the other X-Men must unite with their old adversary Magneto (Ian McKellen) to prevent a devastating confrontation that could destroy everyone on the planet. In X-Men 2 acclaimed director Bryan Singer delivers state-of-the-art special effects explosive action and one twist after another. X-Men 2 takes excitement to the Xtreme! X-Men: The Last Stand The third installment in the X-Men films: The divide between humans and mutants has gotten to a crucial point when a cure to irradiate mutations is found. Pushing patience to the limit in the mutant community the line has been drawn and Professor X needs to decide which path to follow. X-Men Origins: Wolverine Beastly badass Wolverine (Jackman) is a member of elite military squadron Team X. But when he tries to leave violence behind to become a family man he finds his past catching up with him in brutal fashion - not least his carnage-loving half-brother Sabretooth (Schreiber). X-Men: First Class See how it all began in this thrilling first chapter of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr became Professor X and Magneto they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were enemies they were the closest of friends and gathered an elite team of mutants to form the X-Men in an attempt to prevent World War 3! The Wolverine This stand-alone epic-action adventure set in modern day Japan reveals the untold story of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) the most iconic character from the X-Men universe and evolves the character saga to new levels of depth intensity and visceral action. Out of his depth in an unknown world he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle than will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality emerging more powerful than ever before. X-Men Days of Future Past The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The beloved characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.
This historical drama from acclaimed director Sir Trevor Nunn tells the true story of young royal Lady Jane Grey and how she was supplanted on the throne of England for a mere nine days by plotting ministers after the death of Henry VIII. Starring Helena Bonham Carter in her feature film debut and with a strong supporting cast including Patrick Stewart Lady Jane is a powerful and moving story of political corruption and the tragedy of love. Helena Bonham Carter gives a remarkable
FOUR ICONIC ADVENTURES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4K Fan favourite STAR TREK characters Picard, Riker, Data, LaForge, Worf, Troi, and Dr. Crusher embark on four iconic, actionpacked big screen adventures, collected here for the first time on 4K UHD⢠with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, and remastered bonus Blu-raysâ¢. The journey begins with original cast members Kirk, Scott, and Chekov in a story that spans space and time in STAR TREK: GENERATIONS, continuing with a terrifying face-off against the Borg in STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, a dangerous plot against a peaceful planet in STAR TREK: INSURRECTION, and a familiar old foe returning in STAR TREK: NEMESIS. Engaging trek fans of all ages, this is an essential must-have 8-disc set with extensive legacy special features. STAR TREK VII: GENERATIONS: The seventh big screen adventure in the STAR TREK movie franchise comes to 4K Ultra-HD with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, boldly remastered from the original film elements. Retired Starfleet officers James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) and Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) are guests of honour aboard the newly christened Enterprise-B, but a test run takes an unexpected turn and Kirk is swept out into a mysterious energy ribbon known as the Nexus. Seven decades later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of Enterprise-D face a deadly villain named Soran (Malcolm McDowell). Picard's only hope for a future rests within the Nexus...and a legendary captain from the past. STAR TREK VIII: FIRST CONTACT: Resistance is futile! This eighth big screen adventure in the STAR TREK movie franchise comes to 4K Ultra-HD with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, boldly remastered for the 21st century from the original film elements. Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise face off against the Borg-cybernetically enhanced life forms-and a terrifying threat that could change history forever. STAR TREK IX: INSURRECTION: The ninth big screen adventure in the STAR TREK movie franchise comes to 4K Ultra-HD with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, boldly remastered from the original film elements. When the crew of the Enterprise learn of a Federation plot against the inhabitants of a unique planet, Captain Picard begins an open rebellion. STAR TREK X: NEMESIS: The tenth big screen adventure in the STAR TREK movie franchise comes to 4K Ultra-HD with HDR-10 and Dolby Vision, boldly remastered from the original film elements. After the Enterprise is diverted to the planet Romulus, in hope of a successfully negotiated truce, the Federation soon discovers the Romulans are planning an attack on Earth.
With all-star casts including HUGH JACKMAN, MICHAEL FASSBENDER, JAMES MCAVOY, JENNIFER LAWRENCE, HALLE BERRY, PATRICK STEWART and IAN MCKELLEN THE X-MEN COLLECTION CONTAINS 8 FILMS! Follow the epic story of the X-MEN, a group of humans with genetic mutations that give them extraordinary abilities. Engaged in a constant battle for acceptance in society, the X-MEN must learn to use their powers to fight those intent on world domination. Join Professor X, Storm, Jean Grey, Cyclops and Wolverine as they try to save themselves and the world from Magneto, Sentinels, and Apocalypse, a powerful mutant whose vengeful wrath threatens the planet. Includes hours of special features X-Men Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Under the tutelage of Professor X (Patrick Stewart), the outcasts learn to harness their powers and must now protect mankind from the evil Magneto (Ian McKellen). This first chapter of the X-Men saga features an all-star cast, including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin and Rebecca Romijn. X-Men 2 Hatred and distrust brew between human and mutantkind. An unprovoked mutant attack on the President gives General William Stryker (Brian Cox) his long-awaited opportunity to wage all-out war against the mutants. A war that would leave only one race victorious. Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry) and the other X-Men must unite with their old adversary Magneto (Ian McKellen) to prevent a devastating confrontation that could destroy everyone on the planet. In X-Men 2, acclaimed director Bryan Singer delivers state-of-the-art special effects, explosive action and one twist after another. X-Men 2 takes excitement to the Xtreme! X-Men: The Last Stand The third installment in the X-Men films: The divide between humans and mutants has gotten to a crucial point when a cure to irradiate mutations is found. Pushing patience to the limit in the mutant community, the line has been drawn and Professor X needs to decide which path to follow. X-Men: First Class See how it all began in this thrilling first chapter of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr became Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were enemies, they were the closest of friends and gathered an elite team of mutants to form the X-Men in an attempt to prevent World War 3! X-Men: Days of Future Past The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The beloved characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class, in an epic battle that must change the past to save our future. X-Men Apocalypse Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-Men: Apocalypse. Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. The Wolverine This stand-alone epic-action adventure set in modern day Japan reveals the untold story of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character from the X-Men universe, and evolves the character saga to new levels of depth, intensity and visceral action. Out of his depth in an unknown world he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle than will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than ever before. X-Men Origins: Wolverine Beastly badass Wolverine (Jackman) is a member of elite military squadron Team X. But when he tries to leave violence behind to become a family man, he finds his past catching up with him in brutal fashion - not least his carnage-loving half-brother Sabretooth (Schreiber). Special Features: X-MEN Deleted Scenes Charlie Rose/Bryan Singer Interview Clips TV Spots, Trailers, 2 Featurettes Hugh Jackman Screen Test Storyboard Animatics, Still Galleries X-MEN 2 2 Audio Commentaries including a Director's Commentary from Bryan Singer X-MEN: THE LAST STAND Audio Commentary by Bret Ratner, Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg Audio Commentary by Avi Arad, Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary 3 Alternate Endings with Optional Commentary X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Wolverine Unleashed: Documentary Deleted & Alternate Scenes with optional Commentary THE WOLVERINE The Path of A Ronin - Inspiration: A Ronin's Journey X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Gag Reel Stills Gallery: Trask Industries X-MEN APOCALYPSE Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Introductions by BRYAN SINGER Gag Reel Stills Gallery Easter Egg
With all-star casts including HUGH JACKMAN, MICHAEL FASSBENDER, JAMES MCAVOY, JENNIFER LAWRENCE, HALLE BERRY, PATRICK STEWART and IAN MCKELLEN THE X-MEN COLLECTION CONTAINS 8 FILMS! Follow the epic story of the X-MEN, a group of humans with genetic mutations that give them extraordinary abilities. Engaged in a constant battle for acceptance in society, the X-MEN must learn to use their powers to fight those intent on world domination. Join Professor X, Storm, Jean Grey, Cyclops and Wolverine as they try to save themselves and the world from Magneto, Sentinels, and Apocalypse, a powerful mutant whose vengeful wrath threatens the planet. Includes hours of special features X-Men Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Under the tutelage of Professor X (Patrick Stewart), the outcasts learn to harness their powers and must now protect mankind from the evil Magneto (Ian McKellen). This first chapter of the X-Men saga features an all-star cast, including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin and Rebecca Romijn. X-Men 2 Hatred and distrust brew between human and mutantkind. An unprovoked mutant attack on the President gives General William Stryker (Brian Cox) his long-awaited opportunity to wage all-out war against the mutants. A war that would leave only one race victorious. Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry) and the other X-Men must unite with their old adversary Magneto (Ian McKellen) to prevent a devastating confrontation that could destroy everyone on the planet. In X-Men 2, acclaimed director Bryan Singer delivers state-of-the-art special effects, explosive action and one twist after another. X-Men 2 takes excitement to the Xtreme! X-Men: The Last Stand The third installment in the X-Men films: The divide between humans and mutants has gotten to a crucial point when a cure to irradiate mutations is found. Pushing patience to the limit in the mutant community, the line has been drawn and Professor X needs to decide which path to follow. X-Men: First Class See how it all began in this thrilling first chapter of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr became Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were enemies, they were the closest of friends and gathered an elite team of mutants to form the X-Men in an attempt to prevent World War 3! X-Men: Days of Future Past The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The beloved characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from X-Men: First Class, in an epic battle that must change the past to save our future. X-Men Apocalypse Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-Men: Apocalypse. Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. The Wolverine This stand-alone epic-action adventure set in modern day Japan reveals the untold story of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character from the X-Men universe, and evolves the character saga to new levels of depth, intensity and visceral action. Out of his depth in an unknown world he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle than will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than ever before. X-Men Origins: Wolverine Beastly badass Wolverine (Jackman) is a member of elite military squadron Team X. But when he tries to leave violence behind to become a family man, he finds his past catching up with him in brutal fashion - not least his carnage-loving half-brother Sabretooth (Schreiber). Special Features: Includes Apocalypse 2D & 3D discs X-MEN Audio Commentary by X-MEN BRYAN SINGER & BRIAN PECK Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary by BRYAN SINGER & BRIAN PECK Easter Eggs FOX SPECIAL: The Mutant Watch BRYAN SINGER Interview Animatics ArtGallery X-MEN 2 Audio Commentary by BRYAN SINGER & TOM SIGEL Audio Commentary by LAUREN SHULER DONNER, RALPH WINTER, MICHAEL DOUGHERTY, DAN HARRIS and DAVID HAYTER Marvel Universe Trailers X-MEN: THE LAST STAND Director & Writer Commentary by BRETT RATNER, SIMON KINBERG & ZAK PENN Producer Commentary by AVI ARAD, LAUREN SHULER DONNER & RALPH WINTER Deleted Scenes Easter Eggs X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE The Roots of Wolverine: A Conversation with STAN LEE and LEN WEIN Filmmaker Commentaries The Thrill of the Chase: The Helicopter Sequence Weapon X Mutant Files: 10 featurettes providing background on new mutants, such as Sabretooth, The Blob, Deadpool, Wraith and Gambit Deleted Scenes WOLVERINE UNLEASHED in-depth WOLVERINE documentary X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Children of the Atom Multi-Part Documentary Deleted Scenes Cerebro: Mutant Tracker Composer's Isolated Scor X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Set Tour THE WOLVERINE Alternate Ending The Path of a Ronin - A comprehensive look at the flmmaking journey from comic to the big screen X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by BRYAN SINGER Kitchen Sequence Gag Reel Double Take: Xavier and Magneto X-MEN: REUNITED Classifcation M Sentinels: For a Secure Future Stills Gallery: Trask Industries X-MEN APOCALYPSE Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Introductions by BRYAN SINGER Gag Reel Wrap Party Video X-MEN: APOCALYPSE Unearthed - Documentary Audio Commentary by BRYAN SINGER & SIMON KINBERG Stills Gallery
The third Star Trek series is led by Benjamin Sisko commander of the space station Deep Space Nine who discovers the first known stable wormhole a virtual shortcut through space that leads from the Alpha Quadrant to the Gamma Quadrant on the other side of the galaxy. The Gamma Quadrant is governed by the Dominion a group led by the Changelings - an group of shapeshifters which counts DS9 crew member Odo (Rene Auberjonois) among its numbers. The Dominion has become a violent force in the galaxy and Deep Space Nine and its crew has become the only home in upholding the way of life established by the Federation. Episodes comprise: 1. Emissary - Part 1 2. Emissary - Part 2 3. A Man Alone 4. Past Prologue 5. Babel 6. Captive Pursuit 7. Q-Less 8. Dax 9. The Passenger 10. Move Along Home 11. The Nagus 12. Vortex 13. Battle Lines 14. The Storyteller 15. Progress 16. If Wishes were Horses 17. The Forsaken 18. Dramatis Personae 19. Duet 20. In the Hands of Prophets
Star Trek fans were decidedly mixed in their reactions to this, the ninth big-screen feature in Paramount's lucrative Trek franchise. Die-hard loyalists will appreciate the way this Next Generation adventure rekindles the spirit of the original Trek TV series while combining a tolerable dose of New-Age philosophy with a light-hearted plot for the Next Gen cast. This time out, Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his executive crew must transport to a Shangri-la-like planet to see why their android crewmate Data (Brent Spiner) has run amok in a village full of peaceful Ba'ku artisans who--thanks to their planet's "metaphasic radiation"--haven't aged in 309 years.It turns out there's a conspiracy afoot, masterminded by the devious, gruesomely aged Ru'afo (F. Murray Abraham, hamming it up under makeup resembling a cosmetic surgeon's worst nightmare), who's in cahoots with a renegade Starfleet admiral (Anthony Zerbe, in one of his final screen roles). They covet the fountain-of-youth power of the Ba'ku planet, but because their takeover plan violates Starfleet's Prime Directive of non-interference, it's up to Picard and crew to stop the scheme. Along the way, they all benefit from the metaphasic effect, which manifests itself as Worf's puberty (visible as a conspicuous case of Klingon acne), Picard's youthful romance with a Ba'ku woman (the lovely Donna Murphy), the touching though temporary return of Geordi's natural eyesight, and a moment when Troi asks Dr. Crusher if she's noticed that her "boobs are firming up".Some fans scoffed at these humorous asides, but they're what make this Trek film as entertaining as it is slightly disappointing. Without the laughs (including Data's rousing excerpt from Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore), this is a pretty routine entry in the franchise, with no real surprises, a number of plot holes, and the overall appearance of a big-budget TV episode. As costar and director, Jonathan Frakes proves a capable carrier of the Star Trekflame--and it's nice to see women in their 40s portrayed as smart and sexy--but while this is surely an adequate Trek adventure, it doesn't quite rank with the best in the series. --Jeff Shannon
'Civilisation' is probably one of the most famous documentary series ever made. Unreleased for many years it has been restored as is now available on DVD for the first time. Presented by distinguished art historian Sir Kenneth Clarke 'Civilisation' became the definitive history of art in the western world and has never been equalled let-alone bettered in the intervening 35 years.
Director Elizabeth Banks takes the helm as the next generation of fearless Charlie's Angels take flight. In Banks' bold vision, Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska are working for the mysterious Charles Townsend, whose security and investigative agency has expanded internationally. With the world's smartest, bravest, and most highly trained women all over the globe, there are now teams of Angels guided by multiple Bosleys taking on the toughest jobs everywhere. The screenplay is by Elizabeth Banks from a story by Evan Spiliotopoulos and David Auburn.
A young punk rock band find themselves trapped in a secluded venue after stumbling upon a horrific act of violence.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in this all new action packed movie. Tech-industrialist Max Winters is amassing an army of ancient monsters to take over the world. Only one super-ninja fighting team can stop them - those heroes in a half shell; Leonardo Michelangelo Donatello and Raphael! With the help of their rat sensei Master Splinter and old allies April O'Neil and Casey Jones the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in for the fight of their lives in this all new CG-animated action adventure movie.
There's a new day dawning on the farm.... The animals of Manor Farm revolt and win their freedom. All seems perfect until the pigs begin to show thier true colours. Froms Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Standing out in the crowded field of screen adaptations of the classic Dickens novel A Christmas Carol is hard to do, but this version pulls it off. When a transparent Jacob Marley walks through Ebenezer Scrooge's apartment door, you know you're seeing something both timeless and contemporary. Other strategically placed special effects--a funnel cloud that transports Scrooge and the ghost of Christmas present, the hollow spectre of Christmas future--keep you riveted without slipping into anachronism. But, as good as the technology is, the performances are what really power this 93-minute television interpretation. Patrick Stewart brings a depth to Scrooge that allows the character to go beyond the cartoonish qualities that have made him a Christmas mainstay. That doesn't mean he's any less heartless with his hapless employee Bob Cratchit (Richard E. Grant) or any less dismissive of his well-meaning nephew. A frail-looking Joel Grey makes an excellent ghost of Christmas past, and a superb cast ably fill the remaining roles. Director David Jones, shooting on location in England and at Ealing Studios, has achieved a balance of science and sentiment that will help this version hold up for many years to come. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Cartoon world creations Boo and Zino must team up with their sworn enemies, The Snurks, to save their cartoon fantasy world.
On a diplomatic mission Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew are faced with a threat that could lead to the Earth's destruction, and Picard meets his most dangerous adversary yet.
Season two of Star Trek: Picard takes the legendary Jean-Luc Picard and his crew on a bold and exciting new journey: into the past. Picard must enlist friends both old and new to confront the perils of 21st century Earth in a desperate race against time to save the galaxy's future - and face the ultimate trial from one of his greatest foes. Product Features Deleted and Extended Scenes The USS Stargazer The Chateau The Trial is Over Rebuilding the Borg Queen Picard Props Picard Passages Gag Reel
In the Quad, a planetary system on the brink of a bloody interplanetary class war, a fun loving trio of bounty hunters attempt to remain impartial as they chase deadly warrants.
Experience the Star Trek Universe like never before! The first original 10 films remastered plus over 8 hours of special features. For the first time in Star Trek history nearly every frame of the final frontier is brought together in one brilliantly re-mastered motion picture DVD box set. Discover the Star Trek Universe and experience every unforgettable moment from Kirk's triumphant return to the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise in Star Trek: The Motion Picture to Picard Data and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E's final battle for control of the universe in Star Trek Nemesis. The spirit of the Enterprise lives in the heart-stopping action and unforgettable characters of this one-of-a-kind collection. Special Features: The Original Series Star Trek: The Motion Picture Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Deleted Scenes Trailers TV Spots BD -Live - Star Trek I.Q Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Theatrical Trailer BD-Live - Star Trek I.Q. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Commentary by director Lenoard Nimoy writer and producer Harve Bennett director of photography Charles Correll and Robin Curtis Commentary by Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Theatrical Trailer Easter Egg: That Darn Klingon Dog BD-Live - Star Trek I.Q. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Commentary by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy Commentary by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Visual Effects Original Interviews Tributes Theatrical Trailer BD-Live - Star Trek I.Q. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Commentary by William Shatner and Liz Shatner Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Deleted Scenes Theatrical Trailers TV Spots Easter Egg the Gag reel BD-Live - Star Trek I.Q. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and screenwriter Denny Martin Flinn Commentary by Larry Nemecek and Ira Steven Behr Library Computer The Perils of Peacemaking Stories from Star Trek VI The Star Trek Universe Original Interviews Farewell Promotional Material BD-Live - Star Trek I.Q. The Next Generation Star Trek: Generations Commentary by director David Carson and Manny Coto Commentary by Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore Library Computer Production Visual Effects Scene Deconstruction The Star Trek Universe Deleted Scenes Archives: Storyboards Production Gallery Teaser Trailer Theatrical Trailer Star Trek I.Q. (BD-Live) Star Trek: First Contact Commentary by director and actor Jonathan Frakes Commentary by screenplay writers Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore Commentary by Damon Lindelof and Anthony Pascale Library Computer Production Scene Deconstruction The Star Trek Universe The Borg Collective Archives: Storyboards Photo Gallery Teaser Trailer Theatrical Trailer Star Trek I.Q. (BD-Live) Easter Eggs Star Trek: Insurrection Commentary Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe Creating The Illusion Deleted Scenes Archives: Storyboards Production Gallery Advertising Star Trek I.Q. (BD-Live) Easter Eggs Star Trek: Nemesis Commentary by director Stuart Baird Commentary by producer Rick Berman Commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda Library Computer Production The Star Trek Universe The Romulan Empire Deleted Scenes Archives: Storyboards Production Galleries Teaser Trailer Theatrical Trailer Star Trek I.Q. (BD-Live) Easter Eggs Bonus Discs: Star Trek Summit Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 The Evolution of the Enterprise Villians of Star Trek I Love the Star Trek Movies Farewell to Star Trek: The Experience Klingon Encounter Borg Invasion 4D Charting the Final Frontier
After Star Wars and the successful big-screen Star Trek adventures, it's perhaps not so surprising that Gene Roddenberry managed to convince purse string-wielding studio heads in the 1980s that a Next Generation would be both possible and profitable. But the political climate had changed considerably since the 1960s, the Cold War had wound down, and we were now living in the Age of Greed. To be successful a second time, Star Trek had to change too. A writer's guide was composed with which to sell and define where the Trek universe was in the 24th Century. The United Federation of Planets was a more appealing ideology to an America keen to see where the Reagan/Gorbachev faceoff was taking them. Starfleet's meritocratic philosophy had always embraced all races and species. Now Earth's utopian history, featuring the abolishment of poverty, was brandished prominently and proudly. The new Enterprise, NCC 1701-D, was no longer a ship of war but an exploration vessel carrying families. The ethical and ethnical flagship also carried a former enemy (the Klingon Worf, played by Michael Dorn), and its Chief Engineer (Geordi LaForge) was blind and black. From every politically correct viewpoint, Paramount executives thought the future looked just swell! Roddenberry's feminism now contrasted a pilot episode featuring ship's Counsellor Troi (Marina Sirtis) in a mini-skirt with her ongoing inner strengths and also those of Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) and the short-lived Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby). The arrival of Whoopi Goldberg in season 2 as mystic barkeep Guinan is a great example of the good the original Trek did for racial groups--Goldberg has stated that she was inspired to become an actress in large part through seeing Nichelle Nichols' Uhura. Her credibility as an actress helped enormously alongside the strong central performances of Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard), Jonathan Frakes (First Officer Will Riker), and Brent Spiner (Data) in defining another wholly believable environment once again populated with well-defined characters. Star Trek, it turned out, did not depend for its success on any single group of actors. Like its predecessor in the 1960s, TNG pioneered visual effects on TV, making it an increasingly jaw-dropping show to look at. And thanks also to the enduring success of the original show, phasers, tricorders, communicators and even phase inverters were already familiar to most viewers. But while technology was a useful tool in most crises, it now frequently seemed to be the cause of them too, as the show's writers continually warned about the dangers of over-reliance on technology (the Borg were the ultimate expression of this maxim). The word "technobabble" came to describe a weakness in many TNG scripts, which sacrificed the social and political allegories of the original and relied instead upon invented technological faults and their equally fictitious resolutions to provide drama within the Enterprise's self-contained society. (The holodeck's safety protocol override seemed to be next to the light switch given the number of times crew members were trapped within.) This emphasis on scientific jargon appealed strongly to an audience who were growing up for the first time in the late 1980s with the home computer--and gave rise to the clichéd image of the nerdy Trek fan. Like in the original Trek, it was in the stories themselves that much of the show's success is to be found. That pesky Prime Directive kept moral dilemmas afloat ("Justice"/"Who Watches the Watchers?"/"First Contact"). More "what if" scenarios came out of time-travel episodes ("Cause and Effect"/"Time's Arrow"/"Yesterday's Enterprise"). And there were some episodes that touched on the political world, such as "The Arsenal of Freedom" questioning the supply of arms, "Chain of Command" decrying the torture of political prisoners and "The Defector", which was called "The Cuban Missile Crisis of The Neutral Zone" by its writer. The show ran for more than twice as many episodes as its progenitor and therefore had more time to explore wider ranging issues. But the choice of issues illustrates the change in the social climate that had occurred with the passing of a couple of decades. "Angel One" covered sexism; "The Outcast" was about homosexuality; "Symbiosis"--drug addiction; "The High Ground"--terrorism; "Ethics"--euthanasia; "Darmok"--language barriers; and "Journey's End"--displacement of Indians from their homeland. It would have been unthinkable for the original series to have tackled most of these. TNG could so easily have been a failure, but it wasn't. It survived a writer's strike in its second year, the tragic death of Roddenberry just after Trek's 25th anniversary in 1991, and plenty of competition from would-be rival franchises. Yes, its maintenance of an optimistic future was appealing, but the strong stories and readily identifiable characters ensured the viewers' continuing loyalty. --Paul Tonks
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