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Kirk reluctantly agrees to play along with a Federation test of a new supercomputer, designed by the brilliant Dr. Daystrom (William Marshall, the booming baritone stage actor most famous for Blacula) to run a starship almost single-handedly. It does its job too well, locking the human crew out of ship operations and using deadly force during the Federation war games. Spock and McCoy continue their now-legendary banter about man versus machine while Kirk muses over the obsolescence of his own command. Marshall is excellent as a former-boy-wonder genius banking his reputation on this breakthrough, treating his creation like a son. That's not too far from the truth: designed after his brain pattern, this thinking, reasoning, learning machine carries with it the insecurities and desperation of its creator. The fears of the emerging digital revolution explored in The Ultimate Computer in 1968 remain today: what is the fate of man in the face of technological efficiency? Films from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Colossus: The Forbin Project to Demon Seed and The Matrix have echoed these themes, and this Trek episode--primitive special effects, zero-budget sets, and all--stands up to them quite nicely. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (11)

The Best Kirk vs the Computer episode
The Enterprise beams aboard Dr. Richard Daystorm, a scientist who developed the computer systems for many Federation starships, and now he's invented a new computer called the M-5, which can run the ship without Captain Kirk's orders. The Captain does not like the idea and soon his fears are justified as the M-5 takes over total command of the Enterprise, the Captain then relies on his past skills as a computer destroyer to reclaim command of the Enterprise, thus showing that human beings should control starships, and not computers. Actor William Marshall turns in a brillent performance as Dr. Daystorm.Teleplay by D.C. Fontana. Story by Laurence N. Wolfe. Directed by John Meredyth Lucas. Music Composed and Conducted by Sol Kaplan and Fred Steiner.

Man vs. Computer
A famous inventor boards the Enterprise and brings his invention, a computer, onboard the ship with him. The M-5 computer is capable of running a starship by itself without the aid of human assistance. It is supposed to be going through an experiment by playing war games with other ships. However, trouble arises when Captain Kirk and his crew find out that the M-5 computer has taken over completely and there's nothing they can do, including control the Enterprise in any way. Everybody better watch out because if something goes wrong, the M-5 computer could possibly destroy innocent lives when it's not supposed to.

"The Ultimate Computer" is a good episode of Star Trek. It is interesting, or in Spock's words fascinating, and it has great acting. I recommend it to anybody who likes Star Trek - The Original Series.

A certain event, a computer with a survival instinct
In this episode, a supercomputer called the M-5 is placed on board the Enterprise. It is so sophisticated that nearly all of the crew disembarks so that it can run the ship. However, it has been constructed using a human mind as a template. The creator of the computer, the brilliant Dr. Daystrom, used the patterns of his mind to build the circuits of the M-5. Unfortunately, Daystrom is mentally unstable, so the M-5 is also unstable.
When the M-5 is subjected to a war games exercise, it does not understand that it is a mock attack, so it treats it as a real one and destroys a star ship, killing everyone on board. The remaining ships then form an attack force, but Kirk is able to disable the computer and regain control of the Enterprise in the nick of time.
The most significant point in this episode is that a black man is portrayed as a very intelligent man who strongly defends his invention. He stands up to Kirk, interacting with the people in power as an equal, if not as a superior. Another point is that Dr. Daystrom has the most memorable reaction to the Vulcan neck pinch in the entire series.
I enjoyed the episode, it is often portrayed as anti-technology, but that is not true. I consider it an example of the reality of bleeding edge technology. Whenever a dramatic leap of technology has been attempted, there have been mishaps and deaths. Steam ships and locomotives blew up, ships sank, space shuttles exploded, planes crashed etc. Artificial intelligence (AI) remains an elusive goal with success being difficult to measure. However, one of the consequences of successfully implementing AI will be a computer behaving in a manner similar to that of the M-5, exhibiting a strong survival instinct. This is one of the episodes that is a safe prediction of a future event.

Slightly above average
This war games episode, in which command of the Enterprise is handed over to a computer (with predictable results) is a solid offering. The episode, in classic second season fashion, has more than it's share of action presented in a dramatic fashion with proper pacing and strong direction. The episode is simultaneously thoughtful as it touches on important issues such as human obsolescence, pratfalls (to put it mildly) of technology, introspection, fame and immortality, and the risks inherent in putting too much into your work. But the episode ultimately suffers from an ending that is too predictable (you'll never guess who outwits a computer!) and too pat (Kirk lectures M5 for only 1 minute!).

It should be noted that this is one of the most prominent roles played by an African-American on Star Trek TOS. While one is initially frustrated by the character's fate, further reflection suggests a lack of prejudice in this episode. Rather than walk on eggshells, the brain trust gave him the same fate (collapse of some sort) that (almost) always befell all Federation elite.
Despite McCoy writing him off as almost insane, Daystrom's motives are fairly complex. This creates the interesting paradox that Kirk exploits at the end of the episode. The computer is flawed whether it 'is' pure computer or part human!

Shatner performs well in one of his most symapathetic and demanding roles. The friendship between he, Spock, and McCoy is also presented in an unstilted and natural way. A good story is always the best route to character development, humor, and other supplimentals.

Wesley is one of the more sympathetic federation brass. While he is certainly insensitive to Kirk and less than circumspect about the potential dangers of the operation, he is one of the few Starfleet elite to show any capacity for reasoning, let alone sound judgment.

There are several signs that this is a late season episode with a tight budget. There is no original score, the entire episode takes place on board the ship, and the space station and cargo ship are retreads from The Trouble with Tribbles and Space Seed respectively. And then there is Shatner's expanding waistline.

Do Not Trust Dr. Daystrom on computers.
The U.S.S. Enterprise is to be the new test ship for the new M-5 multitronic computer system, a computer meant to be able to run a starship without human intervention. Also aboard for the test is Dr. Richard Daystrom, the inventor of the M-5 and an obsessive and unstable man.

Initially the M-5 performs well, but when it decides to destroy a robot freighter, Kirk orders the test cancelled. The M-5, however, protects itself and makes it impossible for it to be disconnected. The computer becomes increasingly erratic, a result of Dr. Daystrom's decision to impress his engram onto the computer as part of its programming. Starting a scheduled war games drill, M-5 uses the full arsenal of the U.S.S. Enterprise to attack four other Federation starships.

In a last-ditch appeal to the M-5, Kirk makes the computer realize that it has committed the sin of murder for killing the crew of the U.S.S. Excalibur. Since Dr. Daystrom would be ethically abhorred at such an act, the M-5 is equally penitent and tries to commit suicide by leaving the U.S.S. Enterprise defenseless against a counter-attack by the remaining three Federation starships. The Federation fleet's intent is to destroy the U.S.S. Enterprise, for destroying the U.S.S. Excalibur. At the last moment, Spock and Scott are able to finish disconnecting the M-5 unit. Kirk keeps the shields down, gambling successfully that the attacking ships would not fire on an undefended vessel. Restoring communications next, the fleet is called off by Commodore Robert Wesley. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

This is it--the Real McCoy!
This is the infamous Blooper Reel. Yeah, the picture quality is horrendous. No, it's not especially funny.

But it is exactly as I remember seeing it at a Philadelphia Star Trek convention in 1978. Right down to the dark images on the projection screen.

Its real value to a Trekker is that it's part of Star Trek history. Most of the early fans watched this at conventions. Foundational books such as "The World of Star Trek" (David Gerrald) to "The Making of Star Trek" (Stephen Whitfield) positively gushed over the Blooper Reel. So, for better or worse, you too can share in that experience with this video.

Think of it as primary research. It doesn't have to be pretty. It just has to be.

Live long and prosper--
Joe
Former boyhood president of "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" (ca. 1974!!)

Not For Everyone
Of COURSE it looks and sounds bad! It is true - these were eventually rejected and trashed, folks. I saw them over 15 years ago, and the quality was just as bad then. This isn't a video for most people, it's for us die-hard TOS fans who love trivia and oddities concerning the series. If you are willing to accept it for what it is, it is certainly watchable and actually quite humorous. I guess we should be thankful that Mr. Roddenberry decided to save them in the first place, no matter how they were mistreated later on. As far as I know, these are the ONLY bloopers of TOS in existence.

A true collectible
I have done a little research and my understanding is that the STAR TREK outakes on this video were obtained directly from film stock found the dumpsters outside of the facilities where the show was edited. This means that they are vary rare and to my knowledge, don't exsist in any other public collection of Star Trek Bloopers. Unfortunately, this also means that that their veiwing quality is marginal because of their exposure to the outside elements. However, if you are a die hard Star Trek fan/collector (like many people I know), just possessing these rare and funny outakes more than makes up for their quality.

As for the the quality of the bonus bloopers, they are great, and are guarenteed to make you laugh until your sides ache.

Star Trek Bloopers
Very disappointed in this video. It is not worth the money. Looks like someone pieced together very old films that were worn out. It was not what I expected and I would highly recommend people do not waste their money.

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!
I have collected bootleg bloopers from Star Trek since Gene Roddenberry leaked the first out-take reel to the fans. I have seen much better, and have better than the product being offered here. Save your money, spend it on an Aldeberan Shellmouth....anything. Do not waste your money on this trash. I came, I saw, I bought, I kicked myself. Call this recording a REHASH OF TRASH. ... Read more

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An overwrought, highly-stressed Captain Kirk blunders into Romulan space and finds the Enterprise surrounded by enemy vessels, all equipped with strategically valuable cloaking technology. Along with Spock, Kirk is invited to meet with the Romulan commander (Joanne Linville) to discuss the situation, leading to a crisis when the captain suffers a breakdown following Spock's apparent betrayal. Written by story editor Dorothy Fontana (who was unhappy with the final results) and directed by John Meredyth Lucas (who briefly took the producing reins from Gene L. Coon during season two), the episode has a colorful espionage angle, but depends heavily on an improbable romance between Spock and Linville's character. Still, there are things to savor here, especially Kirk's one-and-only appearance with Vulcan/Romulan pointed ears. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (10)

One of the incidents you can't miss
The Enterprise is captured by some Romulans in "The Enterprise Incident." Captain Kirk is taken hostage and charged with espionage. The commander of the Romulans particularly likes Spock because he is a Vulcan (a distant relative of the Romulans). This Enterprise incident might turn out to be one of the toughest challenges that Kirk and the crew have encountered so far.

"The Enterprise Incident" has one of the best plots of any of the episodes from Star Trek. Spock gives one of his best performances and you won't believe what Captain Kirk does in order to get back onboard the Romulan ship.

"The Enterprise Incident" is one of the best incidents that has ever happened to the original Star Trek series. I recommend everybody to get "The Enterprise Incident."

Mr. Spock kills Captain Kirk with the "Vulcan death grip"
"The Enterprise Incident" is the classic Star Trek episode in which Kirk apparently goes off the deep end, ordering the Enterprise into Romulan space. Quickly urrounded by Romulan ships, Kirk and Spock meet with the Romulan commander (Joanne Linville) in which the First Officer declares Kirk acted alone, without authority, in a blatant attempt to grab some glory. An enraged Kirk attacks Spock who then uses the "Vulcan death grip" to kill the captain. Of course, that was the last episode of the show and nothing was heard from Star Trek ever again. Actually, it is all a complicated plot for Starfleet to get their hands on the Romulan's cloaking device. But while Kirk goes undercover as a Romulan, it is up to Spock to keep the Romulan commander distracted. Leonard Nimoy and Joanne Linville deserve a lot of praise for this episode, because their scenes are arguably the most erotic in the entire series. Take that William Shatner! "The Enterprise Incident" is on my Top 10 list of Star Trek episodes and I know I am not alone in that regard.

Probably the strongest episode from season three
This Romulan intrigue story is one of the 3rd season's most solid offerings. It offers a tight and dramatic plot, with plenty of twists and surprises. The teaser is particularly well-executed, and may be second only to Mirror, Mirror's opening in dramatic effect. I also enjoy the moral ambiguity of this episode. By that I mean not only that we are left to ponder whether the ends justify the means, but also that WE are left to ponder that question, rather than being beaten over the head with it and having it answered for us. Would a 1st season episode have been comfortable with this ambiguity, let alone keeping it implicit? No normative judgments implied, but Star Trek had in some sense grown up by the Fall of 1968, for better or worse.
Tidbits: Spock was able to stay fairly true to himself in this romance; others weren't so lucky in their 3rd season romances, which generally yanked crewmembers far out of character. As a result, here the sacrifice Spock makes is a real one, in which he compromises himself. The production team did a nice job of giving the Romulan ship interior a different feel.

This is also very cool.
I like this episode because it's very cool. It's cool, because it has alot of action as well as drama. It's absolutely the greatest Star Trek episode since Space Seed. I highly recommend this.

The Best Original Series Show
This was the best show for the original series. I couldn't believe it when Spock 'killed' Kirk. Then his reaction when he saw Kirk was alive was so funny. I'm just surprised Bones controlled himself from teasing Spock for it. ... Read more

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A nifty idea: the Greek god Apollo turns out to be quite real, apowerful extraterrestrial (Michael Forest) waiting some 5,000 years for thehuman race to develop enough to meet him out in the cosmos. Catching sight ofthe Enterprise, he immobilizes the ship and demands that the members of alanding party--Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley),Chief Engineer Scott (James Doohan), Chekov (Walter Koenig), and antiquities specialist Lieutenant Carolyn Palamas (Leslie Parrish)--bow beforehim and prepare to spend the rest of their lives being cherished through hisinsistent love. A doubting Kirk recruits his people to secretly find themechanical source of Apollo's power to throw lightning bolts, become a giant, and punish his naughty Enterprise children by tossing them aroundlike rag dolls. The stern god gives Kirk a sword, so to speak, by falling forLt. Palamas, setting the stage for some stormy drama late in the game. Written by television veteran and Greek myth aficionado Gilbert Ralston (with a polishby producer Gene L. Coon that enhanced the story's relationships), anddirected by Marc Daniels, "Who Mourns for Adonais?" is one of those classicTrek episodes that lingers in the memory for the creative incongruity of its story line (starships and Olympians) and principal set (anAthenian temple with a few trees, shrubs, and confused Starfleet personnel). Wonderful stuff. A subplot involving Scotty's big-time crush on Palamas providesa rare glimpse into the emotional life of one of the supporting players--even if his gallant efforts to save her from Apollo's wooing result in a concussion ortwo. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Strong show
This is a strong show about the Greek god Apollo. When Trek was at its best, it generally combined thought-provoking and socially relevant questions with tight, internally consistent, and action-packed stories. Who Mourns for Adonais is one such episode. In addition to the interesting idea that the Gods may have been real, we have the very real themes of 1) the pros and cons of hero worship/letting others make decisions for you, 2) the quest for power, and 3) the pros and cons of a simple, care-free life. The guest acting is pretty good here, too, and there aren't too many holes in the plot.

Overall, a strong episode, although I for one at times tire of the more 'literal' episodes, enjoying instead the dreamy, surreal, and menacing ones. I see no reason why we should expect to encounter a moral code (or any system for that matter) similar to our own in outer space. Also there are quite frankly limits to just how good a 'literal' take can consistently be, especially after 35 years and given the time and budget constraints of an episode. That is why I am drawn to the more off-beat shows.

Having digressed, I must return to the fact that this is one of the better of the 'literal' shows.

The missing element in later "Trek" incarnations!
""Adonis" ranks as having the sexiest guest stars ever to appear in the Roddenberry classic. Michael Forrest, as the god Apollo, and Leslie Parrish, as the object of his affections, exudes some vicious heat in their respective roles.

While the episode may not be an overwhelming "classic" to many, it still entertains and the cast seems comfortable in the rather outlandish premise.

And the sexual tensions bouncing all over the place make this episode a standout. The subsequent series, while technologically more advanced and possessing better acting and writing, failed to "ignite" the basic sensuality of the original.

Boy, did the original cast know how to "have fun"!

The Enterprise gets to worship the Greek God Apollo
There is nothing like the REALLY old time religion, as Kirk and crew discover in "Who Mourns for Adonais?" The Enterprise is just going merrily along through space when a giant hand grabs the ship. Then the face of the Greek god Apollo appears and he invites Kirk and the crew down to a planet to worship him for eternity. Of course, Kirk and the crew take exception to this, especially Scotty, who, in the attendant sub-plot complication, has taken a liking to Lt. Carolyn Palamas. You see, she is the ship's expert on ancient civilizations--you sure need one of those when you are a buhjillion light years from earth and have a Starfleet computer--and Apollo likes her best of all. Since Apollo pretty much fits your standard textbook definition of a God, Kirk has to use the guile of Mercury and the golden tongue of, well, Apollo, rather than the strength of Atlas to get out of this situation. "Who Mourns for Adonias" never really made perfect sense to me as a title, but we do get to see the crew decked out in togas for the first time and the mystery of what happened to the Greek Gods is settled once and for all. Actually, this is not as bad an episode as you might think at first and Kirk does get to give another one of his rousing speeches in defense of humanity.

The crew meets the Greek God Apollo
The Enterprise and its crew are minding their own business when a force that resembles a giant green hand in space comes over the ship and holds it in place. Captain Kirk and some of his crew go to a planet and encounter a man saying he is the Greek God Apollo. Apollo demands that the Enterprise crew worship him, and he wants to take Lieutenant Palamas (Leslie Parrish) as his wife. If the crew doesn't cooperate, Apollo has weapons such as lightning to try to make them behave.

"Who Mourns for Adonais?" isn't one of the top 20 episodes of Star Trek - The Original Series, but it is pretty good. It has an interesting plot, good acting, and good special effects. I recommend any Star Trek fan who likes the episodes where somebody in history encounters the crew to get "Who Mourns for Adonais?"

The Greek Myths on Star Trek.
The crew of the Enterprise meet the Greek God, Apollo and discover the history behind Greek Mythology. Wonderful episode dedicated to the poems of the Greek poet Homer. ... Read more

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Years before George Lucas knocked us out with his wildly imaginative barscene in Star Wars (in which a broad mix of exotic creatures mill about),Star Trek did much the same thing in "Journey to Babel." Serving as atransport for a variety of extraterrestrial diplomats, the Enterprisebecomes a warp-capacity hotel for truly eclectic visitors. (Director JosephPevney credits the makeup artist with this episode's impressive array of alienspecies.) The story finds murder committed aboard the ship and an attack onCaptain Kirk (William Shatner), all in an effort to sabotage the imminentsigning of a peace treaty. But against this mystery is an even more curiousfamily drama featuring Spock's conflicts with his parents, the Vulcan ambassadorSarek (Mark Lenard), who disapproves of his son, and his human wife, Amanda(Jane Wyatt). Story editor Dorothy Fontana wrote the script after deciding itwas time to show us the oft-mentioned mother and father of theEnterprise's first officer (Leonard Nimoy). We can thank her forinventing all the fascinating details of a complicated family relationship thatultimately became crucial to a couple of feature films and even a memorableepisode of The Next Generation. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

More top Trek
In another classic Trek, we meet Spock's parents, and the Enterprise turns into a veritable 'who's who' of alien dignitaries. Like so many second season shows, this episode is fast paced and dramatic. There are actually several plot lines going at once. Not only do the subtleties of Spock's relationship with his parents play well here, the show is augmented by the fact that so much else happens (murder, Kirk and Sarek's physical troubles, a spy aboard the ship, a Klingon vessel, etc.) A lot to juggle, but the writer and director managed it well, even bringing everything together at the end. True, it's absurd that Kirk and company would know so little about Spock's family, but the bombshell does make for a dramatic close to the teaser.

Ambassador Sarek and his wife Amanda ARE Spock's parents
Certainly "Journey to Babel" has the best teaser in Star Trek history. The Enterprise crew is decked out in their formal dress to welcome the Vulcan Ambassador Sarek aboard. Kirk and McCoy are surprised when Sarek snubs Spock and go into complete shock when Spock tells that Ambassador Sarek and his wife are his parents. Sarek is one of several delegates bound for a conference that will debate the admission of Coridan to the Federation (the planet is rich with dilithium). When one of the delegates shows up dead, Sarek is a prime suspect until it is revealed he has a heart condition. McCoy is all ready to perform surgery with Spock serving as a blood donor when Kirk is also attacked by the assassin. With the captain incapacitated, Spock cannot relinquish command, even if it costs his father his life. Mark Lenard as Sarek is absolutely the PERFECT Vulcan, achieving a naturalness that is the envy of every other actor who has ever had to play a Vulcan. Even Leonard Nimoy seems to be acting as "Vulcan-like" in this episode as he ever had in the entire run of Star Trek. Jane Wyatt as his mother Amanda is clearly too emotional for a woman who has been living with Vulcans most of her life, but she looks great when she smiles and casting Margaret Anderson from "Father Knows Best" is almost as great as that of casting Lenard. "Journey to Babel" is just a wonderful episode with every scene involving Spock and his parents a treat, especially when father and son comment on Amanda's emotional outburst on the subject of logic. It is just so clear these two love her so much (arguably the most romantic moment in Star Trek history!). Simply a wonderful, wonderful episode that deserves to be on everyone's list of Top 10 Star Trek episodes.

Another top episode..A bit about Spock as well
This is another top episode of the original series. In this episode viewers find out that Spock's half human and half Vulcan. Spocks father is Sarek (Mark Lenard) and mother is Jane Wyatt, the twist is that Sarek is Vulcan's ambassador to the Federation and has not accepted the fact that Spock chose to join the Federation instead of the Vulcan Science Academy. A bit of a strained situation follows.

The Enterprise is headed to Babel with a bunch of different ambassadors and Sarek has a tense situation with another ambassador over federation membership. This lead to Sarek's nemisis's murder. But is Sarek the culprit? Plus Sarek has a heart condition which makes him gravely ill? Will Spock help his father or will he remain loyal to Captain Kirk who is also injured by an unknown assassin.

The answers to these will leave the viewer impressed with the plot and as stated before this is one of Star Trek's finest episodes. Plus the music when Sarek and Amanda (Spocks mother) first arrive on the Enterprise is classic!

Highly recommended!

An episode with a plot and many subplots
"Journey To Babel" isn't anything like any of the other Star Trek episodes. It has a plot and many subplots to it. The Enterprise is transporting many passengers to a new place, including Spock's parents. Captain Kirk gets injured and Spock's father, Sarek, needs a blood transfusion in order to have a chance to live. And Spock is the only one capable of giving his father the blood he needs since he's half Vulcan. Also, Spock's father is the leading suspect in the murder of another passenger onboard the Enterprise.

"Journey To Babel" has a lot of interesting characters and it's an entertaining episode. I recommend anybody who likes Star Trek to get this episode.

The best Star Trek Ever.
This is an extremely good Star Trek episode. First we meet Spock's parents, Sarek and Amanda, and we get to see many of the races that belong to the Federation aboard the Enterprise enroute to a conferance on the planet Babel to debate on letting the Coridan planets join the Federation. It is also a good action/adventure story that sees Spock trying to save his father's life via a blood transfusion while the Enterprise battles an unknown alien ship. This was the best Star Trek episode of all, just as Star Trek IV was the best of the Trek movies.Written by D.C. Fontana.Directed by Joseph Pevney.Music Score by Gerald Fried. ... Read more

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Dog Day Afternoon. Annie Hall. Taxi Driver. In the pantheon of classic New York films, these three take pride of place. But there are, of course, others, some of which have fallen through the cracks over the years, criminally overlooked and unjustly relegated to commercial-riddled Saturday-afternoon TV broadcasts. Joseph Sargent's The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is just such a picture. This taut 1974 thriller about four armed men who highjack a New York City subway train and hold it and its passengers for ransom may be hopelessly dated (it's loaded with ethnic stereotypes, impossibly wide neckties, and bad hairdos--and there are no explosions!), but that's part of the fun. A gruffly sardonic Walter Matthau heads a fine cast that includes Jerry Stiller, Hector Elizondo, Martin Balsam, and a perfectly villainous pre-Jaws Robert Shaw. Think you'll find a better film that depicts a nearly broke city led by an inept mayor forced to deal with armed terrorists? Fuhgeddaboutit! --Steve Landau ... Read more

Reviews (47)

One of my all-time favorites
P>It's the oldest videotape I have in my collection. .

The film has been released on DVD, and I am absolutely overjoyed, as it is one of my all-time favorites.

Theatrically released in 1974, The Taking Of Pelham 123 is about a group of four armed men (three of them played by the great actors-the late Robert Shaw, the late Martin Balsman and Hector Elizondo) whom hijack a New York City subway train on an otherwise uneventful afternoon, and hold 18 of its passengers hostage. The ransom: One Meeeeeeeellion dollars.

Ooops...that's another movie.

The ransom IS indeed one million dollars (Hey, it was shot in 1974) to be paid by the City Of New York. There are two catches.

Catch #1: The city has only one hour to pay up. For very minute that the city is late, the hijackers will execute one hostage. It is up to Lieutenant Zachary Garber (the late, legendary Walter Matthau) to stop, or at least outsmart them before they kill one. High drama, considering it takes the city FOREVER to do ANYTHING. I know...I live in New York.

Catch #2: The hijackers are underground. IF they get their money...how do they plan on getting away?

Great performances all around from a great mix of big name actors, and fine character actors. People such as Jerry Stiller, Kenneth McMillan, Dick O'Neill, Julius Harris and Tony Roberts, who plays the Deputy Mayor. But the film belongs to Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. Matthau, in a departure from his usual comedic roles, displays a tough, yet somewhat humorous demeanor as he "matches wits" with Robert Shaw (whom one year later would play his most celebrated role as Quint in "Jaws"). Shaw's performance is properly understated...which serves his character well, as he is supposed to be cold and calculating.

It's a simple story, and simple to follow...yet The Taking Of Pelham 123 is a totally engrossing thriller. And unlike "Money Train" (Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes), Pelham is fairly accurate with details about the subway and how it works (including the dead man's feature-absolutely accurate). Money Train had me scratching my head in amazement with all the inaccuracies presented in the technical details about a subway train and how it works. Don't even get me started with that movie-but I digress. Pelham crackles with excitement and humor. And the ending is %$*&@ great! The musical score by David Shire will only enhance the drama on the screen. The main title theme alone is an overlooked crime drama classic. Urgent, yet kind of funky. Yes, this film is outdated...but don't let that stop you. This would definetly be one of my "desert island" movies. In a review here on Amazon.com, I read where someone said that this film "plays like an old friend".

I concur wholeheartedly.

By the way. There was an updated TV version of this movie starring Edward James Olmos and Lorraine Bracco. STAY AWAY FROM AT ALL COSTS!!!

Top-notch action movie spiced with New York humor
A cracking good film, fast-paced, relentless in its build-up of tension, and shot through with that special New York humor. Now that it's 25 years old, some of the jokes and cameo character parts seem not to work. But Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw play the leading roles so well that it hardly matters, and, though it doesn't particularly try to do so, the movie gives a good impression of what the city, its politics and its institutions were like in the early-mid Seventies. Mostly, though, it's just a good fingernail-biter based on the bright idea of someone hijacking a subway train.

Come in Pelham 123
I was so pleased to see this released on DVD. copies are inexpensive and should be purchased without prejudice. This is an absolute classic, certainly the type of film that would never be made today. a subway highjacking with all of the classic ethinc seterotypes on board. Walter Matthau is in charge of the case at New York transit headquarters. after putting his foot in his mouth a couple of times, Matthau's leadership come through in one of the best ending to a movie ever. Fantastic

great 70's flick...
In the same way that "The Naked City" portrays New York City of the forties, "Pelham" does justice to the 70's. This is a great movie! Did anyone notice that the opening theme music was also used in the more recent Mel Gibson movie, "Payback"?

A Fine Suspense Drama
I was in high school when this film came out. I remember standing on a long line on Broadway in a snow shower to see it. It was well worth the wait. Thirty years later, it was well worth the wait to buy this DVD. While there's no give-me's on this disc (which is a shame), this action packed, and often funny, film is one of those that for some reason didn't stand the test of time or become a cult hit. Perhaps New York and America want to forget the inner city squalor of the 70s (although "Mean Streets" and "Taxi Driver" remain popular). But this film is worth watching just for Robert Shaw's chilling portrayal of a subway hijacker. The filming is appropriately dark and grainy. If not for any reason, watch a well-crafted suspense/action movie before they became completely gory, bloody messes. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

France Nuyen gives an outstanding performance as a shrew
The Dohlman of the planet Elas is a beautiful woman who is pledged to be married to the leader of Troyius, in an attempt to end years of bitter war between the planets. The Enterprise is ordered to ferry the Dohlman to Troyius and the Troyian ambassador is assigned to teach the Dohlman the manners needed to function in Troyian society. Since he knows it will take some time, he asks Captain Kirk to take it slow, so the Enterprise departs at sublight speed.
Because the Dohlman is an arrogant, spoiled shrew the job is impossible. She repeatedly insults the Enterprise crew and the ambassador, refusing to learn what she needs to know. She eventually stabs the ambassador, and Kirk becomes her teacher. After she refuses Kirk's help, he slaps her, which changes everything. After one more childlike fit, she emerges crying and Kirk softens and wipes her tears away.
This creates a problem as the tears contain a chemical, which causes anyone who comes in contact with them to fall hopelessly in love with her.
A member of the Dohlman's entourage is working for the Klingons, sabotaging the Enterprise so that it will self-destruct when it goes into warp. To force this issue, a Klingon ship appears and makes a mock attack run. Scotty finds the sabotage just in time, so the Enterprise does not go to warp. The Klingons then demand the surrender of the Enterprise and attack. The fight is one-sided, as the Enterprise does not have warp power. However, the ceremonial necklace worn by the Dohlman contains dilithium crystals, which allow the Enterprise to regain warp power and they defeat the Klingon ship. The stress of battle cures Kirk of his love for the Dohlman and impresses her so much that she then meekly beams down to her wedding.
This is an episode with a great deal of tension. We can see the conflict in Kirk as he tries to manage the battle and his overpowering love for the Dohlman. The behavior of the Dohlman is very well played and appropriate, as it is needed to provide the proper background for the story. France Nuyen gives one of the best guest star performances of the series. It is not one of the very best episodes of the original series, but I rank it in the top twenty.

'Worth it just for Nuyen alone!
Episodes like this one, along with "Who Mourns for Adonis?" "Mudd's Women", and "Mirror, Mirror", are probably the reason the original Trek is, by far, the sexiest of the various incarnations. Perhaps, it fortunate that the series initial run was during the "sexual revolution" of the 60's, allowing female characters to be suggestively attired to the obvious delight of males everywhere.

While the story line isn't one of the series best, "Star Trek 57: Elaan of Troyius" does feature an eye-popping turn from guest France Nuyen in the title role. Nuyen is one of the most exotically beautiful actresses to even grace both the big and small screen. And she is more than just a pretty face; she is an excellent performer that has, sadly, not had extensive work.

Her appearance in this episode is one of the many trailblazers from the landmark show.

Nothing wrong with this one, either
Elaan of Troyius, which loosely follows the plot of Taming of the Shrew, is boosted by a strong acting performance from Frances Nguyen. She also brings out the best in Shatner; their scenes together, which run the gamut of emotions, are fairly convincing. The episode also features more action than average, including a dramatic ending, and there are no huge holes in the storyline (although at times it's tough to know exactly what Elaan's motivations are.) The episode is also boosted by a strong score and good costumes for the Dohlman (if not her guards!) One negative aspect is the implicit sexism behind 'the taming'. Overall, a slightly above average episode.

Tidbits: This episode, the second of the season to be produced, was the 13th to be aired. This ties Bread and Circuses for the longest lag of the entire series, and is probably mostly due to the 'high tech' scenes involving the 'Klingon' ship making rapid passes while firing on the Enterprise.

One of Star Trek's best battle sequences!
I know people think this episode is cheesey (which it is) but it's also very memorable. The space battle at the episode's conclusion is extremely well done--the special effects are well above average and the music really heightens the tension. In my opinion, it's every bit as good as the space battle from "Balance of Terror." France Nuyen, playing Elaan, does a spectacular job with not great material; she also gets to wear some of the show's most, uh, memorable costumes. Definitely worth repeated viewing, especially for the space battle sequence.

Captain Kirk has to baby-sit the Dohlman of Elas
James T. Kirk has more than his fair share of success when it comes to romance, but "Elaan Of Troyius" is one of his great falures. The Enterprise is on its way to the Tellun star system to play peacemaker between the planets Elas and Troyius. To achieve peace the king of Troyius will marry Elaan (France Nuyen), the Dohlman of Elas. However, the people of Elas are a warrior race who have so little interest in civilized behavior that the Dohlman stabs the ambassador from Troyius who is supposed to teach her the customs of her new planet. This means that Kirk gets to try and teach the Dohlman some manners and unlike the ambassador, he does not feel inclined to observed diplomatic niceties. After watching Kirk as the great romantic hero of the galaxy, it is rather fun to watch him basically baby-sit a beautiful woman who happens to be a completely spoiled brat. Then, just to make things really interesting, the Klingons show up. Ah, the trials and tribulations of a Starfleet captain. Think "The Taming of the Shrew" rather than "Pygmalion" with this episode since Kirk and Elaan end up falling for each other but are forced by duty to do the right thing. Obviously "Elaan of Troyius" was the inspiration for the excellent STNG episode, "The Perfect Mate," one of my personal favorites. This is an above average Star Trek episode, but I would not put it in my Top 10. ... Read more

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"The Alternative Factor" is a minor episode in which Kirk encounters two versions of a fellow named Lazarus (Robert Brown), one from our own dimension and the other from an antimatter cosmos. The latter Lazarus intends to create an opening between worlds, potentially causing an intergalactic Armageddon. Though directed by Gerd Oswald, an interesting feature filmmaker from Hollywood, "The Alternative Factor" has to work a little too hard to make its point. Still, it isn't boring, and the theme certainly fits that long-standing Star Trek obsession with dualities. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Strange plot that is hard to understand
"The Alternative Factor" is one of the worst episodes of the original Star Trek. Spock and the crew find what seems to be a dead planet. Kirk finds a man named Lazarus and they beam back up to the Enterprise. They later find out that Lazarus is a time traveller and there's a mysterious being on the dead planet that he says is actually a person trying to interfere with his time travel. Lazarus will do anything to get some crystals so he can get in his flying saucer and get off the planet as soon as he can.

"The Alternative Factor" isn't the worst episode of the original series, but it's not one of the best. The plot is strange and it makes you wonder what it's even about at times. I wouldn't recommend getting "The Alternative Factor" unless you're a diehard Trek fan.

One of the five worst episodes in the original series
This episode is clearly in the bottom five of the original Star Trek series. It starts with the basic idea of twins, one good and the other evil, almost identical in structure, but opposite in temperament. In this case, both are named Lazurus and each is from a different universe. This basic idea had already been used in episode 5, "The Enemy Within", where a transporter malfunction split Kirk into his good and evil personalities. However, that is only one reason why this episode is so weak.
Supposedly, because one is from a matter universe and the other from an antimatter universe, if they ever meet, it will cause the destruction of both universes. This is of course scientifically absurd, when any antimatter encounters any matter equal amounts of both are converted into energy. Therefore, the antimatter Lazurus would have been destroyed when he first encountered the matter of the Enterprise.
The two Lazuruses pop back and forth across their universes, making it difficult for you to determine which one is currently on the Enterprise. As they perform their universe hopping, the crew of the Enterprise is befuddled, although they eventually figure out that they are dealing with two distinct individuals. The solution is to wait until they both are in the process
of hopping from one universe to another and then destroy their ships, which is what created the path between the universes.
This traps them in the "corridor" between the universes, where the mad Lazurus will eternally be at the throat of the good one. The absurdity of this solution seems lost on all the participants. Obviously, if being in the corridor has rendered you immortal, then even the actions of a madman could not harm you. The simplest solution would have been to kill the mad
Lazarus, saving both universes. Nevertheless, there is a sensible reason why the creators did not choose this option, as that allowed them to pose the one interesting theme of the story,
that one can end up in purgatory by committing actions worthy of a saint.
I have trouble ranking what I consider to be the top and bottom five episodes of the original Star Trek series. Therefore, I cannot say that I rank this one last, but it is tied for 75th place.

The lemons weren't confined to season 3
This episode, in which a loner travels between universes in a small ship, just never comes together. Despite the fact that nothing short of the universe is at stake, the episode feels trivial. While Robert Brown certainly has a tough assignment here as the two Laseruses (Laserii?), he seems torn between trying to make each of them 'real' while still being sufficiently different that the viewer will not become confused. Unfortunately he does not succeed in either regard, and the seemingly haphazard storyline doesn't assist the viewer any either. The team also seems to struggle to fill up the episode's allotted hour, but the main problem is the story is presented in a way that doesn't make sense; everything feels arbitrary and desultory. The self-flagellation between universes, while memorable, is not particularly effective either. About the best thing about this episode is the end-the disturbing idea of someone spending eternity battling a madman.

What of Lazarus? Worth watching; not one of the best Treks
The Alternative Factor is the 1966 TOS Episode featuring Lazarus and his anti-matter counterpart. Lazarus is a madman who is obsessed with his counterpart and has devoted his life to finding and annihilating him (and 2 universes in the process).

A few inconsistencies abound in this one. First, it's pretty confusing trying to keep track of which Lazarus is which as they go back and forth through the portal. Second, as one reviewer suggested, why didn't Kirk just kill one of them (or why didn't the anti-matter one just kill himself)? Third, when Spock and Kirk talk about the physics behind it, Spock starts out saying when counterparts meet from parallel universes they "cancel themselves out violently". Then out of nowhere Spock says it's matter-antimatter and that means the total annihilation of both universes. No only is this inconsistent in the dialogue, but illogical (are you listening Spock?) scientifically.

Fourth, why are they locked in the corridor for all eternity? Wouldn't they die eventually? Or don't people need food in the corridor; or do they become immortal there? If time stops there, then it's no big deal as they wouldn't be conscious anyway.

Fifth, Lazarus says he's a "time traveler". Why do they stay in the same time throughout the episode then?

Sixth, if they are parallel wouldn't there be a Kirk and Spock counterpart also (this is explored in a later and superior episode)? And why is the Lazarus in Kirk's world insane, while the other sane? If they are that different from each other why would the matter-Lazarus be obsessed with someone who isn't really like him (save his looks).

Nonetheless, with all these flaws it's still worth watching, as the idea of the annihilation of the universe and eternal hell in the corridor are profound concepts, though they are only brought out toward the end and undeveloped. And this, one of the weaker TOS episodes still towers over the later series
imho.

What is the matter/anti-matter with Lazarus?
"The Alternative Factor" is one of those neat science fiction ideas that does not necessarily translate into an effective episode. The Enterprise comes across a strange craft and a very upset being named Lazarus, who claims to be chasing an evil enemy who must be destroyed. Lazarus insists Kirk must help and when the captain refuses, the strange visitor steals what he needs any way. When Kirk follows he encounters the "evil enemy" of which Lazarus spoke, who is some sort of a twin. Apparently Lazarus' people have discovered a corridor between the matter and anti-matter universes. When the first Lazarus discovered he had a twin, he went insane. Even more alarming, if the two meet outside the corridor, they will destroy both universes. This would not be a good thing. I have to admit that this is one of those times when I think the logical thing to do would be to simply zap one of the two Lazaruses and avoid the potential destruction of absoltuely everything. But that is just me and apparently Kirk was not going to learn this particular bit of wisdom until "The City on the Edge of Forever." "The Alternative Factor" is long on talk and short on action and is a lesser than stellar Star Trek episode. ... Read more

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There's an emergency on Janus VI, a seemingly uninhabited planet rich inmetals and rare minerals crucial to Federation operations.There's a lot of money to be made by the mining contractor involved, butthere's a swift-moving, unseen monster roaming thesnaky tunnels of Janus's interior, turning miners into acid-drenched goo.Fifty men have died, and it's up to the Enterprise to find the alien culprit and defuse the lynch-mob mentality spreading among the paranoid miners. Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), andDr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) beam down to initiate thedetective work, leading Spock to quickly conclude that the thousands ofsilicone balls mysteriously strewn about the planet's deepest caves mighthave something to do with the reasons behind the atrocities. Written byseries guru Gene L. Coon and directed by mainstay Joseph Pevney (whoalternated directorial chores with Marc Daniels during the show's secondseason), "The Devil in the Dark" is a breathlessly paced episode reflecting a delightful variety of cross-genre influences--Westerns, creature features,gritty noir. Add one of the most effective and moving instances of theEnterprise's search for new life on Star Trek (plus McCoy'sinfamous complaint, "I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer"), and this is a memorable program indeed. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A fine piece of sci-fi television writing.
The Devil in the Dark is one of Star Trek's best episodes. A rock like creature, a Horta has been striking back at the miners who are unknownly destroying her eggs. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock discover that the creature is intelligent, despite it's apperance , and find a way for the Horta and the Miners to live in peace. An excellient showing of how in the Star Trek universe, all life forms are treated with respect and dignity, This show was written by Gene L. Coon. A man who shared a lot of commen ideas with Gene Roddenberry about what Star Trek should be.Directed by Joseph Pevney.Music Composed and Conducted by Alexander Courage.

The essence of "Trek"
The original "Star Trek" television series certainly boasts a number of episodes which are rightly labeled "classics" by fans of science fiction. "The Devil in the Dark," written by Gene L. Coon and directed by Joseph Pevney, is one of the most memorable of those classic shows.

In this installment of the series, the crew of the Starship Enterprise investigates the deaths of a number of workers on a mining colony. They discover the killer to be a frightening creature that can burrow through solid rock as easily as a hot knife through butter. But, this being the "Star Trek" universe, all is not necessarily as it seems, and Captain Kirk's investigation results in a number of stunning revelations.

"The Devil in the Dark" boasts one of the series' most memorable aliens in the "monster" of the title. The episode also features memorable dialogue between principal characters Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. But what makes this show most special is its embodiment of the central "Star Trek" worldview. As our heroes struggle to understand the alien creature which is locked in conflict with the human miners, they uncover truths which are relevant not only in the fictional "Star Trek" universe, but in the "real world" as well.

Horta-culture
Yet another in the string on winning episodes, this one concerns a conflict between miners and a silicon-based life form. This unusual episode has a strong element of suspense, since we are not only trying to figure out just what's happening, but also worried about what lurks in the dark tunnels. The episode is more than just suspenseful though. Themes explored include the rights of all creatures to survival, and the mammal bias inherent in our notions of both ugliness and maternal love. Star Trek must have been one of the first shows to devote so much thought to ecological/environmental questions, which like so many themes explored by Star Trek has only grown in importance. More research is of course devoted today than ever before to boundary conflicts, and more generally to finding ways to balance our human resource needs with the survival of other species.

Tidbit: William Shatner's father died during the production of this episode.

Ugly alien isn't so ugly....
Spoiler Alert for those who didn't see the episode.......

Turns out this creature that's eating the employees of this mining company is only protecting it's young. While Kirk and Spock find out about the creature we find out something about humanity. I thought this was a mindless creature that radomly killed only to discover it was acting on parental instinct. This is a must see for any Trek fan. Orginal or Next Generation, you name it.

Great Star Trek Moment: Spock's mind-meld with the Horta
The Enterprise is investigating the death of dozens of miners in the colony on Janus VI in what surprisingly proves to be one of the more emotional Star Trek episodes. The killings began after the miners opened up new tunnels and discovered thousands of silicon spheres. Eventually Kirk and Spock stumble on the truth: the nodules are really eggs from a species of silicon life known as the Horta. In their ignorance, the miners have been destroying the eggs, thinking them worthless. One of the things I like about this episode is that the miners are actually bothered by this once they learn the truth, so maybe there is some hope for humanity. Spock's mind-meld with the mother Horta, where he weeps for the lost children, is one of Leonard Nimoy's finest moments on the show (think about it: the actor is talking to a fake rock) and even McCoy manages to work a minor medical miracle with a trowel and some thermal concrete. "The Devil in the Dark" is one of my favorite Star Trek episodes and a testament to the show's strengths because it is a very effective episode despite a pretty hokey looking "monster." William Shatner has some particularly interesting behind the scenes stories to tell about this particular episode in his memoirs. ... Read more

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A randy Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), andScotty (James Doohan) take shore leave on Argelius II, a trip that becomesa nightmare when Scotty is suspected in a series of murders. From its openingscene featuring a seductive belly dancer to the ultimate revelation of thekiller's identity, "Wolf in the Fold" has the aura of a psychological horrorstory. No wonder: The script is by Robert Bloch, author of the novelPsycho (basis for the Hitchcock film), who also came up with the idea ofthe Enterprise computers being overtaken by none other than Jack theRipper. Actor John Fiedler, whose raspy, high-pitched voice is most familiar asthe sound of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie the Pooh, is very good as theultra-annoying Hengist, a skeptical prosecutor out for Scotty's head. One of thefew Trek episodes to focus on Scotty, "Wolf" is downright exotic at timesin its spooky tone and depiction of the sensual life on Argelius II.(Director Joseph Pevney even spent some of Paramount's money getting a startlingoverhead shot of a seance.) Here's a weird factoid: Harlan Ellison, author ofTrek's great "City on the Edge of Forever" episode, also once wrote afuturistic Jack-is-back story called (ta-da) "City on the Edge of Tomorrow."--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Violence was handled more casually in season 2
The 'Jack the Ripper' episode is another action episode from the second season. The conclusion to the teaser is quite chilling, although the episode never quite reaches that pitch thereafter. The exotic pleasure palace and seance keep things going for a while, but much of the show is ultimately taken up by the 'baton-passing' of Rejack. Once we know the episode's fairly compelling hook, there isn't much novelty even in Rejack's penultimate resting place.

This episode also was not the highpoint of gender sensitivity. 'The Boys' are pretty glib in their loose talk at the beginning of the episode, and the violence towards women isn't treated as anything more than a plot device to get Scotty into trouble. On the other hand, the same could be said of most Star Trek violence towards MEN. There's no denying though that death was treated more lightly after the first season. Some second season episodes (Patterns of Force was the worst offender) stepped way over the line; the producers seemed to feel that as long as they didn't side with the bad guys (and they didn't) any subject could be treated, and in some cases treated lightly.)

Would you believe Scotty is really...Jack the Ripper?
Writer Robert Bloch's fascination with Jack the Ripper pops up in "Wolf in the Fold" (Bloch and Harlan Ellison wrote a couple of short stories on the Ripper for "Dangerous Visions" way back when). On Argelius II, Scotty is accused of murdering a dancing girl. He denies it, and when another woman is found dead in the Chief Engineer's hands seconds after sensing the presence of an evil thing that hates women, he denies it even more vehemently. Kirk and Spock race to the ship's computer and eventually come around to the strange but inescapable conclusion that the real murderer is an energy-based life form that feeds on the emotion of fear. They are able to trace it back hundreds of years and millions of miles to Earth and the Ripper's killing spree at the end of the 19th century. Actually, Bloch's story is as good an explanation for why the killings stopped as anything the Ripperologists have come up with. Things fall into place rather nicely for Kirk and Spock, but then that happens a lot on television. John Fiedler turns in a nice little performance as Chief City Administrator Hengist, who wants to nail Scotty to the wall.

A murder trail for Scotty.
When Scotty (James Doohan) is found to be the lone person on site when three women were killed, he is put on trial, and it's up to Kirk, Spock and Bones to uncover his innocence. The investigation soon reveals that an energy creature once known on Earth as Jack the Ripper, is respoceible for the murders. this Star Trek story is full of horror and suspence, but as a kind of funny ending to it, which would make Alfred Hitchcock proud.Written by Robert Bloch. Directed by Joseph Pevney. Music Composed and Conducted by Gerald Fried.

Exciting Jack The Ripper episode
"Wolf In The Fold" is an exciting episode of the original Star Trek. A woman is killed and Scotty's fingerprints are the only ones anybody can find on the knife that killed her. Eventually 2 more women are killed and Scotty is the closest one to both of them when the lights come back on. Scotty and the USS Enterprise crew must proceed to a court session along with 2 men that are from the planet on which the murders occurred. They must determine who is the killer of these 3 women.

"Wolf In The Fold" is an exciting Jack The Ripper tale. Is it a creature killing the women? Or is it Scotty or some other person? I recommend getting "Wolf In The Fold" in order to find out. It starts getting real exciting and suspenseful once the court sessions begin onboard the USS Enterprise. You'll also become familiar with the talking computer of the Enterprise.

This episode gets a B- grade and is ranked 34th out of 80
Kirk and McCoy decide to take Scotty, who is recovering from a head wound accidentally caused by a female crew member, to a nightclub on the planet Argelian. Scotty becomes infatuated with a lovely dancer at the club and they leave together. In the meantime, Kirk and McCoy decide to sample some of the planet's other pleasures and leave. A scream sends them to a foggy alley to find the dancer dead with Scotty holding a bloody knife. McCoy suggests that perhaps Scotty's subconscious distrust of women, since his accident, has manifested itself in murder. Hengist, the local authority, wants to arrest Scotty, but Kirk intervenes and seeks the help of a priestess of an old psionic cult. Unfortunately, she's killed and once more the blame seems to fall at Scotty's feet. Before she dies, the priestess says that something with an insatiable hunger and hatred of women is present in the room. Scotty still claims to have amnesia during the time when the women were killed. In the end, the entity turns out to be an ancient life form, Redjac, previously known on Earth as Jack the Ripper. It now appears in true form; a non-corporeal vampire who thrives on others' fear. It preys on women because they are more easily frightened. It has been living in the body of Hengist and, when discovered, kills Hengist and flees to the U.S.S. Enterprise. McCoy administers tranquilizers to everyone on board so that the creature cannot evoke fear. Enraged, it is forced to return to Hengist's body. Kirk, knowing this would happen, beams it into space at maximum dispersal, where it will die for lack of nourishment. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

The Real Sequel to Lonesome Dove.
This is the real, Larry McMurtry written, sequel to Lonesome Dove (not Lonesome Dove II), and it has all of McMurtry's specialities: well-drawn characters, absolutely viscious and unredeemable villains & murderers, and complex protagonists with a hell of a tale to tell.

Tommy Lee Jones was the perfect physical embodiment of hard-bitten Texas Ranger Woodrow Call. A small man, ramrod straight with a ferocious temper and will of iron that made him SEEM like a bigger man. But TLJ didn't make this trip for whatever reason. Instead, we have James Garner taking over as Woodrow, and he IS a big man and inately likeable. No matter, Garner is too good an actor not to win you over, and we quickly adjust to him as an older, more tired, laconic, but still mean as hell Woodrow Call.

Peaeye is now Sam Shepard and Lorena is Sissy Spacek and she has passed by all her would-be suitors and married the taciturn Ranger, become a school teacher, and together they have 5 children. Peaeye is called out of domesticity by Woodrow to chase down a teenage psychopathic killer, Joey Garza, with a sidetrip to chase down another bad bad man named Mox Mox whose specialty is burning men, women, children & animals alive for the fun of it.

And so it begins, with much emphasis on character and wild "characters" and with a casual understanding of the hard lives and brutality of the Texas of that time.

If you liked Lonesome Dove, you will like this. The cast changes were made with excellent people stepping into the familiar roles, and you will soon accept them and be caught up in the story. If you didn't like Lonesome Dove, too bad for you, and you definitely will want to skip this.

Wasted potential
Although cast in the mighty shadow of Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo had the potential to be another great Western based upon Larry McMurtry's beloved series. Unfortunately, it failed to live up to that potential. While Lonesome Dove was a sprawling epic steeped in the mystique of the American frontier, Streets of Laredo is a crime drama. Instead of a cattle-drive across a thousand miles of harsh country, we get a hunt for a pre-pubescent brat with a taste for blood. That in itself could have made for some compelling film making if the pace wasn't so slow. There was also the failure of any of the faces from Lonesome Dove to return. This gives Streets of Laredo a disappointing lack of continuity.

No doubt the biggest disappointment was Tommy Lee Jones's failing to return to the role of Captain Woodrow F. Call. Although James Garner is talented, he is too sympathetic, too personable to be such a brooding loner. Shepard's Pea Eye is too smart, too, well, handsome. Cruz's portrayl of the murderous Garza was far too tame, too detached. Big mistake. Randy Quaid's John Wesley Hardin was interesting, but a total waste of film. There was no reason for him to be here. George Carlin was a surprise, one of the few bright moments. Also worth noting is that the sepia tones of Lonesome Dove have been replaced with rich, vibrant colors straight out of the Technicolor Westerns of yore. As far as the DVD itself: much less care was put into the making of this DVD than its predecessor. It's basically bare bones. That pretty much sums up the film itself.

WORTHY SEQUEL TO LONESOME DOVE
STREETS OF LAREDO has taken considerable heat for missing Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. Yes, the film would have benefited from a reprise by Mr. Jones in the role that he created but don't write it off because of that. There are aspects of this adaptation that are actually stronger than LONESOME DOVE.

After reading the book and watching STREETS OF LAREDO numerous times, I have to admit that, in his own right, James Garner does well as Captain Call, bringing his own enterpretation to the part and departing from most of the mannerisms that Jones brought to LONESOME DOVE.

Sam Shepard as Pea Eye Parker is a considerable improvement over Tim Scott, the original Pea Eye. I like Shepard's honest performance as a simple man rather than Scott's as a moron. Shepard's Pea Eye, while simple and slow is nonetheless tough and steady.

Sissy Spacek is terrific as Lorena (Wood) Parker. In fact I find that she fits the role far better than Diane Lane, the original Lorena from LONESOME DOVE and provides a tough and gritty performance as Mrs. Parker here.

Ned Beatty stars portrays the crochety, self-appointed Judge Roy Bean and Randy Quaid is darkly hilarious as the western outlaw John Wesley Hardin.

Other stars include Wes Studi as tracker Famous Shoes, George Carlin as Billy Williams and Sonja Braga as Maria Garza, a good woman trying to keep her world from coming apart while hoping to love her son-gone-bad back into the fold.

STREETS OF LAREDO is a great film. Don't miss it just because it lacks Tommy Lee Jones.

THE HORSEMAN

The Author's Finale
Not only is Larry McMurtry an excellent storyteller, but he's also somewhat of a literary genius. He could've written a sequel to Lonesome Dove that would've been satisfying and cliché, but he left that to Hollywood. I don't know if Streets of Laredo happened because of or in spite of the farce that is called, Return to Lonesome Dove, but Streets is definitely the better offering. McMurtry took the story in a completely different direction. In doing so, he cheated us out of certain things that we'd hoped for after finishing Lonesome Dove. There is no final conversation between Woodrow and Newt about Newt's heritage. The fate of July Johnson is a tragic and useless one. The Hatcreek Ranch in Montana goes bust and that's why Call becomes a bounty hunter. Those who enjoyed the book won't be disappointed in the film adaptation. Many have stated that James Garner's interpretation of Woodrow Call doesn't live up to that of Tommy Lee Jones and I cannot disagree. But Garner is a talented actor and he stayed true to McMurtry's character of Call. McMurtry wisely chose not to do "just another Lonesome Dove." Again, he left that to the shallower Hollywood crowd. While Lonesome Dove was a sweeping epic of a cattle drive, Streets of Laredo was simply the story of a chase to track down a young, brutal killer. McMurtry is a master of authentic dialogue and character development and he doesn't fail to deliver with his vast cast. Judge Roy Bean, Brookshire, John Wesley Harden, Billy Williams, Mox Mox and Famous Shoes all add to the texture of the movie. The most tragic figure is the long-suffering mother of Joey Garza, Maria, who defends her son in spite of his misdeeds. There are some details that are hard to swallow, such as the marriage of Lorena and Pea Eye, but the overall story still stands. This is certainly a darker offering than its predecessor considering that Gus supplied most of the mirth in Lonesome Dove. Still, it's worth watching for those who appreciate McMurtry's ability to tell a good story. The DVD is desolate when it comes to bonus material, but the sound and picture quality are far superior to the VHS version. It's also worth noting that the DVd version is uncut, offering scenes that do not appear in the VHS. No, Streets of Laredo does not live up to Lonesome Dove, but I don't think McMurtry meant for it to do so and the story stands on its own as a good one.

Stay away from this disgusting Western concoction!
Imagine taking the worst of the Spaghetti Westerns,
give it an illustrious cast (James Garner, Sam
Shepard, Sissy Spacek, and on and on) and pour
a heavy dose of gore, rape, and an endless stream
of meaningless sadistic violence: what do you end up
with? "Streets of Laredo"

The above excellent actors and actresses should feel ashamed
of being seen in this awful and disgusting concoction. There
are no discernible redeeming elements in this carnival of
gratuitious violence!

Even you "Lonesome Dove" fans should stay away from this one! ... Read more

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Easily one of the best episodes from the original Star Trekseries, "Amok Time" was written by the novelist Theodore Sturgeon, who came upwith a story about a Vulcan mating cycle that occurs every seven years anddrives the normally stolid, logical, pointy-eared humanoids wild. When Spock(Leonard Nimoy) is suddenly caught in the grip of pon farr, acrazy-making urge to mate, he sets a course for his home planet despiteorders to the contrary from Captain Kirk (William Shatner). Kirk comesaround, however, and accompanies Spock and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) toVulcan, where Spock is to wed T'Pring (Arlene Martel) in an arrangedmarriage. But T'Pring formally rejects Spock, forcing a duel in which thecaptain must participate or let Spock die. There's high drama galore in this one, beginning with Spock's feverish savagery and extending to thefascinating complexity of Vulcan rituals, set against the eerie emptiness of the planet's landscape. For good measure, there's also the startling sight of Kirk and Spock fighting it out to the death. Supporting performances areterrific, including that of Celia Lovsky (the real-life wife of Peter Lorre) as the matriarch T'Pau. This is also the episode that gave birth to thesplit-fingered Vulcan salute (inspired by Nimoy's memories of the kohaninblessing at Jewish temples) and the phrase "live long and prosper." One ofTrek's more highly charged episodes, you can feel a certainspontaneous energy here--indeed, some of the more inspired actors even made uptheir own lines. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Must See
This episode, in which Spock must return to his home planet, is deservedly a classic. Amok Time typifies the vitality and fast-pacing of the second season shows. There is real mystery as we try to comprehend just what is wrong with Spock. Certainly it is no coincidence that the thoughtful and critical Nimoy's strongest performance came in the show that gave him both a range of emotions AND a plausible reason for stepping out of character. Nowhere is Spock's shame about his (and all of our) dualistic natures more palpable than here.

This episode is helped also by the musical score and minimalist sets on Vulcan, as well as solid acting by the other Vulcans. If one is willing to look beyond minor script problems such as the humans' utter ignorance of Vulcan biology and the details of how Spock ends up fighting Kirk, there really isn't much to gripe about. Funny too how success breeds success; there is a warmth and chemistry between the big three here that just couldn't be reconjured in episodes that didn't earn the actors' trust.

Spock's Home World Revealed.
The history and culture of the planet Vulcan is revealed as Spock returns home to take a wife, but that same woman wants another Vulcan instead, and Spock must choose between the traditions of his people or his friendship with Captain James T. Kirk.A thrilling episode with a surprise ending, courtesy of Bones.

Beastie Boys
Just saw a beastie boys video today that reenacts the pon farr battle on a street corner.

spock fans! this is the one!
Easily one of the top five episodes in trek history! If you're a fan of Nimoy's character you've gotta see this one! Too great for words! The whole series rocks and this is one of the very best!

Who Are The Vulcans?
The original Star Trek TV series aired from 1966-1969 and reflected the era in which it was made. The Cold War was still raging although the threat of nuclear war had receded somewhat and a shooting war was in progress in Vietnam. The horrors of World War 2 were still fresh in many peoples minds and even World War 1 was still a living memory for many people. Thus, many people were groping for a way for mankind to overcome the urges that seemingly pushed it to greater and greater levels of self-destruction. The writers of Star Trek decided to create a character, Mr Spock, who would come from a world that had decided to c