Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 17, 2016

No other television show has earned a fan base and built a legacy quite like Star Trek, Creator Gene Roddenberry's Science Fiction epic that promised a better tomorrow, commented on then-contemporary society, and remains culturally and thematically relevant even today. And it's a blast of a show, too, hugely entertaining, remarkably forward-thinking in construction, brilliantly acted, and all-around a television hallmark and cultural measuring stick. Its cast beloved, its spinoffs many, its episodes cherished, and its purpose expansive, the show has satisfied many viewers in many ways, but there's always that thirst for more beyond even all that's been seen, written, and released over the decades. "More" is at the center of The Roddenberry Vault, a special three-disc release that features twelve classic Original Series episodes and hours of new supplemental content that includes rare archival footage from the show's production years. It's a fascinating watch and a must-own even for those who have and cherish the impressive and previously released seasons on Blu-ray.

It's a pretty comprehensive package, certainly a supplement in every sense of the word to the complete series collection on Blu-ray but CBS/Paramount have definitely gone the extra mile to make this worth the money and time for every prospective viewer. The episodes include both the original and enhanced digital effects. The studio has kept the impressive new restored transfers and 7.1 lossless audio tracks from the previous Blu-ray releases intact. The episode selection is fantastic, each a classic and the only real downside is that the package isn't bigger. It's a literal treasure trove for Star Trek devotees who can't get enough of the on-screen action and the behind-the-scenes goodness alike. See "Special Features" below for a more in-depth breakdown of what's included.

Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For video quality reviews, please click through the three individual season reviews listed below:

• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three

Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For audio quality reviews, please click through the three individual season reviews listed below:

• Season One
• Season Two
• Season Three

Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Roddenberry Vault's three discs come packaged in a standard-sized Blu-ray case. The inner print features a list of everything included on each disc, including episodes, commentaries, video extras, and isolated music tracks. All of that comes housed in an unusually thick side-loading "slipcover" with a couple of unique features. To access the discs, users will literally have to "open the vault" out to the side. It secures firmly along the right-front side and is hinged onto the back-left. It's heavy duty up to the hinge, which looks and feels a little flimsier than everything else, but it should hold up well to normal use, i.e. pulling the case out a few times per year, not sitting on the couch and playing with it everyday. Opening the "vault" also mimics access to a real vault interior with an inset image of labeled Star Trek film reels beneath. But there's a "secret compartment" as well. The packaging opens "behind" the vault to offer a collage of candid cast and crew photographs and behind-the-scenes pictures. The back side of the case offers the basics: a description of what the vault is all about, a detailed listing of all the features included, and the usual tech spec cluster box. It's also worth noting that the entire package comes housed in a flimsy clear "slipcover" that is very hard to get back on without a lot of effort to keep it from dinging the box's edges. Frankly, it doesn't do anything; the package is plenty attractive without it, and chances are even slipcover devotees will end up trashing it.

Below is a detailed breakdown and review of what's included on each disc All episodes contain both original and "enhanced" effects options. All isolated music tracks present in Dolby Digital 2.0 sound. Note that these isolated tracks default to the original effects version. The track is not selectable via remote with the "enhanced" effects episode playback.

Disc One Episodes:

• "The Corbomite Maneuver": Includes an isolated music track.
• "Arena": Includes an isolated music track.
• "Space Seed": Includes an isolated music track.
• "This Side of Paradise": Includes an isolated music track. Also includes an all-new audio commentary track with Gabrielle Stanton and Dorthy "D.C" Fontana. The commentary track features discussions of Fontana's writing career prior to Star Trek, writing as a woman surrounded by men, episode insights and details, shooting locations, "red shirts" discussion, and more. This is a very well spoken and insightful track that's a revelation even for hardcore fans. As with the isolated score, the track defaults to the original effects edition.

Disc One Special Features:

• Inside the Roddenberry Vault (Part 1) (1080p, 30:26): An assortment of high profile fans, cast and crew, the Okudas, Gene Roddenberry's son Rod, and others discuss the prospect of viewing newly unearthed material, the years-long process of finding and searching through it, the clues and bread crumbs about what might be out there, and the quality of old clips and outtakes. The piece looks a bit more closely at the episodes included on each disc with some interesting insight into what they meant and how they were made, props and sets, the history of the show, cast and performances, episode and series legacy, social commentary in the show, its forward thinking universe, and more. Also included are deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage inserted throughout the program.
• Star Trek: Revisiting a Classic (1080p, DD 30:22): Cast and crew reflect on working on the show before it was a cultural phenomenon, the show's evident qualities out of the gate, story and cultural themes disguised as Science Fiction, Roddenberry's outlook on life and society, his previous works, the series' Western roots, characters and performances, stories of "The Cage," casting the main roles and the qualities the performers brought to the characters, the Kirk-Spock-McCoy triumvirate, cast camaraderie, and the series' lasting legacy.

Disc Two Episodes:

• "The Devil in the Dark": Includes an isolated music track.
• "The City on the Edge of Forever": Includes audio commentary track with self-proclaimed "Treksperts" Roger Lay, Jr., Scott Mantz, and Mark A. Altman. They discuss the show's stature and place in history, episode development, story themes, the greater Star Trek qualities, favorite moments, background details and anecdotes, and plenty more. This is a terrific track -- both fun and informative -- that casuals and Trekkies alike will find to be of significant value.
• "Operation: Annihilate!": Includes an isolated music track.
• "Metamorphosis": Includes an isolated music track.

Disc Two Special Features:

• Inside the Roddenberry Vault (Part 2) (1080p, 30:20): While looking back in some detail at the four episodes included on disc two, the piece mentions Roddenberry's role on the show and dedication to it, a look back at Gene L. Coon's contributions to the show and the greater Star Trek universe, William Shatner's absence in filming "The Devil in the Dark" to tend to his father's funeral, and plenty of guest star and episode detailing. As with part one, this extra integrates some vintage vault footage.
• Strange New Worlds: Visualizing the Fantastic (1080p, 27:16): A discussion of the show's imagination, detailed and forward-thinking production design, influence in the decades to follow, diverse audience allure, Enterprise design, set layout and construction, the use of color in the show, cinematography, special effects, matte paintings, and more.

Disc Three Episodes:

• "Who Mourns for Adonais?": Includes an isolated music track.
• "Mirror, Mirror": Includes an isolated music track.
• "The Trouble with Tribbles": Includes an isolated music track. Also includes an audio commentary track with David A. Goodman and David Gerrold. The participants discuss Gerrold's writing at a young age, inspirations for the episode, raw concepts behind the episode, its comedic structure, performances, the episode's resurrection in Deep Space Nine, and plenty more. This is another great track that's well worth the 50 minutes.
• "Return to Tomorrow": Includes an isolated music track.

Disc Three Special Features:

• Inside the Roddenberry Vault (Part 3) (1080p, 30:06): A discussion of how Roddenberry's work on Have Gun -- Will Travel influenced his work on Star Trek and his technological foresight and engaging experts in various fields. As with parts one and two, this piece also offers a closer look at the four episodes included on the disc, including guest stars, an original ending for "Who Mourns for Adonais?," and plenty more.
• Swept Up: Snippets from the Cutting Room Floor (1080p, 21:24): Additional scenes and dialogue from a number of episodes, including "The Conscience of the King" "Tomorrow Is Yesterday," "The Return of the Archons," "A Taste of Armageddon," "This Side of Paradise," "Errand of Mercy," "The City on the Edge of Forever," "The Doomsday Machine," "Wolf in the Fold," "I, Mudd," "A Private Little War," "Return to Tomorrow," "Elaan of Troyius," "And the Children Shall Lead," and "Requiem For Methuselah." Also included is "Ship Gallery," which includes raw pre-effects model footage, various lighting and component tests, and unused shots. Finally, Nichelle Nichols performs "Beyond Antares" in an alternate scene from "The Conscience of the King." It would have been nice to have access to these by episode in the menu, but they're all lumped together under one roof.

Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Roddenberry Vault is a terrific set and one of the year's best releases. Filled with terrific new material, bringing over a dozen of the original series' best episodes, and attractively packaged, the only two real downsides are that it's not bigger than it is (if that's even possible) and that there's no way to access many of the amazing newly unearthed scenes and alternate takes on a point-and-click by-episode basis. Nevertheless, it's a superb set and the perfect Christmas gift for any die-hard Trekkie. The Roddenberry Vault earns my highest recommendation.