Star Trek VI the Undiscovered Country, still Klinging on! A classic movie retrospective (video).
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the 1991 gem that brought a fitting close to the voyages of the original USS Enterprise crew, is a film that sci-fi aficionados, especially those of us at SFcrowsnest, still hold dear. Directed by Nicholas Meyer, who also helmed The Wrath of Khan, this installment offered a delightful blend of interstellar intrigue and Cold War allegories, all wrapped up in a star-studded, spacefaring package.
After the somewhat less-than-stellar reception of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, the powers that be at Starfleet Command (read: the movie studio) decided to take a different tack. Originally planning a prequel with younger actors, they instead pivoted to a story inspired by contemporary events – the end of the Cold War, but in space! Thanks to Leonard Nimoy’s brainwave, we got a tale where the Federation and Klingons, long-time adversaries, are nudging towards peace following a catastrophic accident on the Klingon moon Praxis.
Filmed in and around Hollywood, The Undiscovered Country brought a darker, more dramatic atmosphere to the Star Trek universe, courtesy of Meyer and cinematographer Hiro Narita. This was no small feat considering they were sharing sets with The Next Generation crew. Imagine trying to shoot a gritty noir film in the middle of a daycare center – tricky, but they managed!
The story kicks off with Captain Sulu (oh my, George Takei!) at the helm of the USS Excelsior, witnessing the aftermath of the Praxis disaster. Cut to the Enterprise, where Captain James T. Kirk, still holding a grudge against Klingons for the death of his son, is ordered to play nice and escort the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon to Earth for peace talks. What follows is a murder mystery in space, complete with a trial, a prison break from the icy Rura Penthe, and a conspiracy that threatens to derail the peace process.
William Shatner’s Kirk grapples with his personal demons and prejudices, while Leonard Nimoy’s Spock plays the voice of reason and reconciliation. DeForest Kelley, in his last live-action role as McCoy, offers both medical wisdom and moral support, as usual. The ensemble cast, including the always reliable James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and Nichelle Nichols, each have their moments to shine. And let’s not forget the late, great Christopher Plummer as General Chang, a Shakespeare-quoting Klingon who’s as charismatic as he is menacing. The film’s standout feature? Its embrace of Shakespeare, with Klingons quoting the Bard as if he were one of their own. It’s a touch of class and culture in a galaxy often more focused on photon torpedoes than pentameters.
The film concludes with the Enterprise crew thwarting an assassination attempt and saving the day (no spoilers here – it’s a Star Trek movie, after all). There’s a poignant note as Kirk decides to take the Enterprise out for one last joyride, a fitting end to an era. The Undiscovered Country was a box office success, a critical darling, and even bagged a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. It was a triumphant return to form for the franchise and a testament to the enduring appeal of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. With witty dialogue, thrilling action, and a dash of political intrigue, this film not only entertained but also made us think – a true hallmark of the Star Trek ethos.
Anyhoo, as we at SFcrowsnest point you towards our damn fine Stan Fine’s dive into this classic piece of sci-fi cinema, we can’t help but smile at its cheeky charm, its clever writing, and its ability to boldly go where few films had gone before. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country remains a high point in the franchise, a reminder of the power of storytelling, and a beacon for peace, even in the final frontier.
