Never-before-aired 'Star Trek' pilot to be released

[Wee67]

Now I know that the original pilot with a different Captain was not aired, but later used to create a 2-part epsiode (The Menagerie?). So, if this is the 3rd, what was the 2nd? Is 'Where No Man Has Gone Before' somehting I have seen as an episode?

From The Hollywood Reporter

Never-before-aired 'Star Trek' pilot to be released

Star Trek" fans know there were, in effect, a couple pilots for the original series.

The first, "The Cage," was rejected by NBC for being "too cerebral" (ah, some things never change).

The second, "Where No Man Has Gone Before," replaced the actor who played the captain with William Shatner and was more action driven. That pilot had an alternate version which was largely lost and has never aired. Apparently, a film collector in Germany acquired the print and "recently brought it to the attention" of CBS/Paramount. CBS is now releasing this version on Blu-ray Dec. 15.

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.

From the 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 broadcasted. 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."

The restored pilot will be included in the "Star Trek: Original Series - Season 3" Blu-ray release..

There is a 5+ minute clip at the web site-
Never-before-aired 'Star Trek' pilot to be released--The Live Feed | THR

[Meule]

I'd love to see it, but I'm not buying the Blu-ray to do so

[wilbs518]

You can download it. I did a few months back.

[Mikey]

I think Mike Mego73 posted all of the differences already .. perhaps from youtube -- I forgot

[toys2cool]

I gotta get that

[Meule]

Thanks for adding that link Bill.

Different intro, different outfits, different turbolift, different crew (except for Spock, Scotty and George Takei was also credited), Pike's captain's chair, Spock smiling, they changed quite a lot before we get the show we loved so much

[trekman101]

I think Mike Mego73 posted all of the differences already .. perhaps from youtube -- I forgot

These alternate scenes were definitely posted on the forum before....I remember them on youtube.

[HardyGirl]

Uh...I have The Cage on tape. I recorded it some years back, (it may have been on the Star Trek Special Edition, but I think I taped it before that.)

[Captain]

To be clear, what they are releasing is the pitch version of WNMHGB (the Gary Mitchell episode). I hope I dont come across as a smart alec here, its just some of these responses kind of sound like folks may be expecting "The Cage" (Captain Pike) pilot. This is the second pilot, but not the finished version. The opening credits were still being worked on so it was unavailable for the network presentation. As I understand it, the pilot was also broken into equal parts with breaks in between for q&a sessions. When it was shown to the exec's, they instead wanted to see it in its entirety.

As I recall, there is little difference in the WNMHGB original version, and the aired version. The Trek font used at the start is different, the opening and closing credits are different, and the story was cut into acts instead of the commercial break cuts we are used to seeing.

[HardyGirl]

Oh I see. I stand corrected.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I've seen this on youtube as some have mentioned. Not too much is different, but it is a neat thing to ad as an extra for the folks getting the complete series.

[Captain]

Oh I see. I stand corrected.

Its hard not to get mixed up, the press release is pretty vaque. Trying to make it sound like they found some long lost pilot with Lloyd Bridges as Robert April or Jack Lord as James T. Kirk (he was hired to play the part, but wanted 50% ownership of the show so Roddenberry sent him packing and went with choice number 2--Shatner).

[mego73]

Yeah, here's a link with a more comprehensive look at the changes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORBGSaBZynw

Some have said they have seen this version in syndication in the 1970's when they were still using 16mm prints.