Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Year: 1979

Runtime: 132 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Wise

Budget: $35M

AdventureSci-FiMystery

When Earth is threatened by a massive alien cloud, Admiral James T. Kirk and the Enterprise crew are called upon to investigate. They soon discover the cloud is controlled by a powerful, malevolent artificial intelligence with a dangerous agenda. As the Enterprise pursues the cloud, a deadly probe is unleashed, abducting Lieutenant Ilia. An android duplicate of Ilia appears, leading the crew on a perilous quest to understand the intelligence's directive and save all life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2273

The events of the movie unfold in the year 2273, a time characterized by rapid advancements in space exploration and technology. This period sees humanity venturing into the cosmos, marked by the establishment of the United Federation of Planets and the ongoing exploration missions undertaken by Starfleet. The backdrop of interstellar conflict adds a thrilling element to the narrative.

Location

Earth, San Francisco, Epsilon Nine

The movie primarily takes place on Earth, showcasing significant locations like San Francisco, where Starfleet Headquarters is located. Epsilon Nine serves as a key monitoring station for Starfleet, situated near the ominous energy cloud. Both locations are integral to the unfolding drama and the exploration of the universe.

🌍 Earth 🏙️ San Francisco 🌌 Space

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:31

Main Characters – Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Meet the key characters of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

James T. Kirk (William Shatner)

Kirk is the former captain of the Enterprise, now an Admiral, who faces the trials of command and the struggles of adapting to new ship systems. His leadership is tested as he navigates conflicts with his crew and strives to protect Earth from the alien threat. His deep-rooted passion for exploration and discovery continues to define him.

👨‍✈️ Leadership 🌌 Exploration 😔 Conflict

Spock (Leonard Nimoy)

Spock serves as the science officer, known for his logical approach to problem-solving. His ability to connect telepathically with V'Ger showcases his unique talents and emotional depth. Spock's internal struggles between logic and emotion are highlighted as he seeks to understand the entity and its intentions.

🧠 Logic 🌌 Connection 👽 Emotion

Willard Decker

Captain Decker is the new commanding officer of the Enterprise during its refurbishment, struggling with Kirk's return to command. His emotional turmoil is exacerbated by the loss of Ilia, his past romantic partner, as he navigates his responsibilities. Decker's character reflects the challenges of leadership amidst personal loss.

🚀 Leadership 💔 Heartbreak ⚡ Conflict

Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley)

As the Chief Medical Officer, McCoy brings a blend of compassion and practicality to the crew. His interactions with Kirk and Spock provide a moral compass during the mission, balancing emotional considerations with the mission's demands. McCoy's loyalty to his friends highlights the importance of camaraderie.

🩺 Compassion 👥 Friendship 😟 Concern

Montgomery Scott (James Doohan)

Scotty is the Chief Engineer and his technical expertise is critical as the crew faces the challenges of the newly refitted Enterprise. His quick thinking and problem-solving skills help navigate the precarious situation with V'Ger, embodying the spirit of resourcefulness that defines Starfleet personnel.

⚙️ Engineering 🔧 Resourcefulness 🚀 Innovation

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:31

Major Themes – Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Explore the central themes of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤖 Identity

The theme of identity plays a crucial role in the storyline, particularly as the crew confronts V'Ger, a sentient machine seeking to understand its own existence. Characters grapple with their identities amidst the rapid changes in technology and personal loss, as seen in Decker's profound connection with Ilia and his emotional struggles. The search for purpose resonates deeply throughout the film.

🌌 Exploration

Exploration is a central theme of the film as the starship Enterprise embarks on a mission to uncover the mysteries posed by the incoming energy cloud. The quest for knowledge and understanding drives both human and alien characters as they navigate complex relationships and confront existential challenges. It reflects humanity's enduring desire to reach beyond the stars.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:31

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grand cosmic mystery movies like Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Slow-paced journeys to confront vast, mysterious entities that question existence.Discover movies like Star Trek: The Motion Picture that feature a slow-burn investigation into a vast, enigmatic cosmic threat. If you liked the thoughtful exploration of a powerful alien intelligence and the existential questions it raises, these similar sci-fi stories offer a comparable vibe of awe and suspense.

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Narrative Summary

Stories typically follow a crew or team as they investigate an anomalous and massive spatial phenomenon. The central conflict is intellectual and philosophical, revolving around understanding the entity's origin and purpose, often leading to a climactic revelation about life, creation, or technology that transcends human understanding.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a grand, mysterious threat that is more existential than physical. They prioritize a slow, thoughtful unraveling of a central cosmic puzzle, creating a specific mood of tension, intellectual curiosity, and awe-inspiring scale.

Movies with transcendent sacrifice endings like Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Stories where salvation requires a personal merge or loss for a greater evolution.Find more movies like Star Trek: The Motion Picture that end with a bittersweet, transcendent sacrifice. If you were moved by the emotional cost of saving humanity through a character's merging with a greater intelligence, these films explore similar themes of personal loss for cosmic gain.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc involves a character facing a powerful, often non-human intelligence. The resolution comes from a voluntary act where the character's individuality is relinquished to achieve a union or understanding with the opposing force. This results in a bittersweet ending: the immediate threat is neutralized, but at the permanent cost of a beloved character, who achieves a form of transcendence.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their specific bittersweet ending structure, where the climax is an emotional and philosophical resolution involving sacrifice and transformation. They share a melancholic yet hopeful tone, focusing on the emotional weight of letting go for a higher purpose.

Unlock the Full Story of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Don't stop at just watching — explore Star Trek: The Motion Picture in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Star Trek: The Motion Picture is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Summary

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Timeline

Track the full timeline of Star Trek: The Motion Picture with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Timeline

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Star Trek: The Motion Picture that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Star Trek: The Motion Picture: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Star Trek: The Motion Picture