As fans know, the original Star Trek series had a turbulent start. The original pilot, The Cage, was rejected by NBC for being “too cerebral”. The second, Where No Man Has Gone Before, replaced the actor who played the captain with William Shatner and was more action driven.
Apparently that pilot also had an alternate version which was largely lost and has never aired. However, a film collector in Germany acquired the print and “recently brought it to the attention” of CBS/Paramount, and now CBS are set to release this version on Blu-ray next month. According to the story on THR’s Live Feed:
The alternate version is in three parts with 1970s-style act breaks, an entirely different version of Captain James T. Kirk’s opening monologue (“But now a new task. A probe out into where no man has gone before”) and music that contrasts from the famous opening theme and an extended action sequence.
The restored alternate version of the Kirk pilot will be included in the Star Trek: Original Series – Season 3 Blu-ray boxset, which is released December 15th. From the official press release:
This version of “Where No Man Has Gone Before” was completed in 1965 and features archived footage that was not included in the pilot episode ultimately broadcast. Never-before-aired, this newly recovered version is believed to be what was originally screened for NBC, and the basis for their decision to broadcast Star Trek®. … “When we first discovered the original film print existed, we jumped at the chance to give Star Trek fans the opportunity to add this never aired pilot to their collections,” said Ken Ross, executive vice president and general manager of CBS Home Entertainment. “It will be a real treat for fans to see and hear how it all could have begun.
