Comparison between the theatrical version and the Director's Cut - both included on the German Blu-ray / 4K Blu-ray from Paramount.

- 11 differences
- Difference: 207.8 sec (= 3:28 min)

2002 was a good year for Star Trek fans, because for the first time they got to see the opening feature film Star Trek: The Motion Picture in a really extensively reworked Director's Edition. Director Robert Wise was finally able to address many of the shortcomings of the then hastily completed theatrical version. Not as much could be corrected here as it was done again 20 years later in the again revised 4K version, but without question there are the most extensive differences between the two versions in this part of the series. In the same year, however, a "Director's Edition" of the sequel Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was also released, first in theaters and then on DVD.

In contrast to Wise, director Nicholas Meyer was already satisfied in principle with the theatrical version of Part 2. But as he commented at a screening at the time, there were one or two scenes that he had to remove from the film at the time after "friendly debates" with Paramount, which he was able to add back in the Director's Cut. It is therefore not a fundamentally different film, but a few plot lines are better resolved here in his opinion.

Foremost among them is the relationship between Scotty and his nephew Preston, who is a midshipman and dies in the middle of the film. The family relationship and Scotty's grief over the death are actually only really comprehensible in the DC. Apart from that, it's mostly small dialogue additions here and there, often with Spock and Kirk or even Chekov. It is also noticeable how in the vicinity of the changes often alternative takes are used, in which the wording is largely, but not exactly identical.

It is still worth mentioning that one could see most of the additional scenes for the first time in the 80s on the US TV channel ABC. However, the version does not exactly correspond to the later and here compared Director's Cut. While on DVD both film versions were released separately, the first Blu-ray contained only the theatrical version. Since the 2016 re-release, however, both versions have been available together on Blu-ray, and fortunately that's how it was right away with the 4K Blu-ray.

Running time information is according to the scheme
Theatrical Version Blu-ray / Director's Cut Blu-ray

09:50 / 09:50-09:53

McCoy comments the gift of glasses at first: "More antics for your collection."

2.9 sec

Alternativ
09:55-10:00 / 09:58-10:11

McCoy further comments on the glasses in the Director's Cut: "They're 400 years old. You don't find many with the lenses still intact."
Kirk: "What is it?"
McCoy: "They're for your eyes! For most patients your age I generally administer Retinax V."

In the Theatrical Version instead, there is only one alternative take, in which McCoy says slightly differently: "For most patients your age I generally recommend Retinax V."

Director's Cut 8.6 sec longer

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

Alternativ
28:19-28:37 / 28:30-29:36

Kirk approaches Scotty's nephew Preston in alternate takes.

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

In the Director's Cut Preston now also says: "I believe you'll find everything shipshape, Admiral."
Kirk: "Do you? Do you have any idea, Midshipman Preston, how many times I've had to listen to Mr Scott on the comm, telling me his trouble? Do you have any idea, the ribbing I've had to endure in the officer's mess, to the effect that the Enterprise is a flying deathtrap?"
Preston: "No, sir. This is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet. If the Admiral can't see the facts for himself, then, with all due respect, he is as blind as a Tiberian bat."
Scotty clears his throat in the background.
Preston: "Sir!"
Kirk: "Midshipman, you're a tiger."
Scotty: "My sister's youngest, Admiral. Crazy to get to space."
Kirk: "Every young man's fantasy. I seem to remember it myself."

The Theatrical Version instead shows a cut to the cadets. The following dialogue with Kirk can then be seen in a completely alternative take with largely the same dialogue.
He asks here while walking on: "Are your cadets capable of handling a minor training cruise?". The Director's Cut uses a different take where he says: "Are your engines capable of handling a minor training cruise?"
At the end of the shot McCoy asks "Admiral, what about the rest of the inspection?", while in the Director's Cut it says: "Admiral, how about the rest of the inspection?"

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

Director's Cut 47.9 sec longer



33:13 / 34:12-34:25

The dialogue between Dr. Chekov and Carol/David has been expanded somewhat.

Carol Marcus: "Who gave the order?"
Chekov: "The order comes from Starfleet Command, Dr Marcus, direct from the general staff."
David Marcus: "It's a civilian..."
Chekov: "Genesis is a civilian project under my control."
This is followed, as in the theatrical version, by Chekov's stammered "I have my orders."

13 sec

Alternativ
36:45-37:14 / 37:57-38:34

Carol's "This has to be some kind of mistake", heard above the shot of the spaceship, has already been shifted a little on the soundtrack. The shot of the spaceship is a small moment longer in the theatrical version. The whole following dialogue can then be seen in alternative takes.

Most of the wording in the director's cut is identical, with a few small differences:
* In the theatrical version Carol says "I know that, but I...", in the Director's Cut it's more detailed: "I know that, but I can't believe the Starfleet..."
* In response, David says in the theatrical version."I tried to tell you before" while in the Director's Cut he says: "I've tried warning you before."

Then, after Carol says "She's on her way," the scene just goes on a bit further in the Director's Cut:
Carol: "Now, get your gear together where it's handy."
Man: "And where are we going?"
Carol: "That's for us to know, and Reliant to find out."

Director's Cut 8.6 sec longer

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

45:46 / 47:07-47:23

The discussion about fatal effects of Genesis in the wrong hands is a bit longer.

Spock: "I do not dispute, that in the wrong hands..."
McCoy: "In the wrong hands? Would you mind telling me whose are the right hands, my logical friend? Are you, by any chance, in favour of these experiments?"
Kirk tries to calm down the situation; "Gentlemen, gentlemen, this isn't..."

16.3 sec

Alternativ
56:50-56:57 / 58:28-58:34

When Preston mumbles "Aye" and dies, the theatrical version remains in long shot throughout. The director's cut switches briefly to a close-up of him.

Theatrical Version 0.6 sec longer

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

57:06 / 58:43-59:03

Scotty whimpers: "Why?"
Kirk: "He wants to kill me for passing sentence on him 15 years ago. And he doesn't care who stands between him and his vengeance."
McCoy: "I'm sorry, Scotty."

20.1 sec

Alternativ
57:25-57:27 / 59:21-60:28

Now the theatrical version also shows McCoy saying "I'm sorry, Scotty." In the DC, instead, a different take can be spotted in which McCoy remains calm.

Theatrical Version	Director's Cut

The Director's Cut continues with some additional dialogue.

Kirk: "Scotty, I have to ask. Is there any chance of getting the mains back on the line?"
Scotty, unter Tränen: "I do not think so, sir, but you'll have my best."
He turns to McCoy; "Thanks, I know you tried, Doctor."
Scotty leaves the room.
Kirk: "Are you all right?"
McCoy: "Well, I don't know. Doctors lose patients sometimes. Damn it. I'm still in the dark. How did he know about Genesis?"
Kirk: "I don't know. But what's important now is to prevent him from getting his hands on it. You said it yourself, it's a bang that could rearrange the universe."
McCoy: "There still may be time."
Kirk: "You gave as good as you got. We're alive only because I knew something about these ships that he didn't."

Director's Cut 64.6 sec (= 1:05 min) longer



78:07 / 81:08-81:19

Since the turbolift is not working, Kirk, Spock and Saavik climb through a shaft to the upper deck.

Note: Only on DVD you could still hear the following dialogue. However, it doesn't really fit the scene and was therefore removed from the soundtrack on Blu-ray:
Kirk: "That young man, he's my son."
Spock: "Fascinating!"

10.5 sec

81:09 / 84:21-84:37

The Director's Cut still has a short dialogue after a torpedo of the Reliant has missed the Enterprise.

Saavik: "Admiral, what happens if Reliant fails to follow us into the nebula?"
Spock: "I think we can guarantee that she'll follow us, Lieutenant. Remind me to explain to you, the concept of the human ego."
Kirk: "Best speed, Scotty."

16 sec