Star Trek - The Original Series 60th Anniversary (1966) (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Rating: NR
TV Show: 5/5
 
Plot
Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Scotty (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Sulu (George Takei) are on a five-year mission to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations—to boldly go where no man has gone before.

My Thoughts
The original Star Trek television series has turned 60 years old, and we are graced with another Blu-ray release of the series. If you already own it on Blu-ray, stop reading, there’s nothing new here. Regardless, I have to give credit to Paramount and CBS for restoring the original 35mm prints and striking new HD masters for preservation. 20-plus years ago, the took the opportunity to update the special effects as well using modern technology (ancient by today’s standards). One of creator Gene Roddenberry's goals was to keep the science as "real" as possible, so I'm sure he would be proud that some of the new effects come from images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to new CGI, they re-recorded the theme music utilizing the original arrangements to present 21st century audio as well.

When I first read of the effort to revamp the show, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised when seeing it first on HD DVD and then on the 40^th Anniversary Blu-rays. The enhanced CGI effects are faithful to the original elements, and the Blu-ray has one advantage over the HD DVD—seamless branching. By pressing the "angle" button on the remote, you can switch back and forth between the original and new effects. This shows how impressive the new effects look and how well they integrate into the storylines.

Each episode was painstakingly remastered frame by frame, and Paramount did a fabulous job. For the most part, print damage is virtually nonexistent—although an occasional nick and scratch makes an appearance. The color timing was redone during the remastering as well and the show really shines in 1080p. Reds look red and not burnt-orange, especially on the doomed crewmen wearing red shirts. Shadow detail is also improved and highlighted by the unique lighting used during the shoots. Flesh tones are naturally balanced throughout, but some of the makeup on the aliens doesn’t translate too well to the higher resolution format.

The audio is offered in both DTS-HD MA 7.1 and the original mono. Either way, the audio doesn’t veer far from its roots. The majority of the sound comes from the front speakers and is collapsed toward the center. General ambience is provided from the rear speakers, but they rarely come to life except during the revamped opening credits when the swish of the Enterprise shoots through the room.

Video 4.5/5 (VC-1)
Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 7.1)
 
Special Features Highlights:

• All of the supplements from the previously released Blu-ray editions are included

Conclusion
I fell in love with Roddenberry's universe when I was a kid and have watched nearly everything "Trek" ever since — some shows, such as Enterprise, Discovery, and Starfleet Acadamy were discarded from my viewing queue pretty fast. Regardless, if you don’t already own this set on Blu-ray and you’re a fan of the show, it’s time to get out the Visa and make a purchase. I can't think of any reason why a fan of the show wouldn't want this set in their Blu-ray collection. While there’s nothing new here, the episodes look and sound remarkable for something from the 1960s, and it gets my highest recommendation.




Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[Barry]

I reviewed this for us https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=4924.0.

I agree with David who wrote, “some shows, such as Enterprise, Discovery, and Starfleet Acadamy were discarded from my viewing queue pretty fast’ but i was not a fan of Deep Space Nine, which, if I remember properly, David liked.

[David Vaughn]

I reviewed this for us https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=4924.0.

I agree with David who wrote, “some shows, such as Enterprise, Discovery, and Starfleet Acadamy were discarded from my viewing queue pretty fast’ but i was not a fan of Deep Space Nine, which, if I remember properly, David liked.

Yes Barry, I really liked Deep Space Nine. The first couple of seasons were just OK, but in the third season the story really gets going and is excellent (IMO) until it ended. The character development was excellent. I just bought the series on DVD (don't buy off of ebay, the first product I ordered was bootleg with excellent packaging that looks like it's studio produced, but the discs were all single layer DVDs with over 60% compression versus the original DVD release). I ended up buying each season individually from different buyers. It cost me a little more, but well worth the extra expense. 

Also Barry, I don't mean to step on your toes, but if a studio sends me a review copy, I need to review it or else they'll stop sending me things

[Barry]

David,

Please keep reviewing everything. I really enjoy your reduce and look forward to them. But instead of writing my old reviews, I just give us a source for them.

it may surprise you that I have the complete set of DVDs of Deep Space 9. I also have the complete set of Voyager and enterprise. Voyager is a DVD and enterprise is Blu-ray. And along with the next generation, in Blu-ray, I have Picard.  I also have Star Trek the animated series from the 1970s.

[David Vaughn]

David,

Please keep reviewing everything. I really enjoy your reduce and look forward to them. But instead of writing my old reviews, I just give us a source for them.

it may surprise you that I have the complete set of DVDs of Deep Space 9. I also have the complete set of Voyager and enterprise. Voyager is a DVD and enterprise is Blu-ray. And along with the next generation, in Blu-ray, I have Picard.  I also have Star Trek the animated series from the 1970s.

Barry, I assume you're watching "Strange New Worlds" as well? I thought Season 3 was excellent, but thus far Season 4 hasn't matched it (not even close). What do you think of it?

[Barry]

Barry, I assume you're watching "Strange New Worlds" as well? I thought Season 3 was excellent, but thus far Season 4 hasn't matched it (not even close). What do you think of it?

Once again you are exactly right. instead of going when no man has gone before they are giving us episodes out of continuity. also, they are trying to make this an ensemble. Instead of concentrating on 304 the main characters, as the original series did, they are trying very hard to highlight supporting characters. I did like the puppets only because they look so well, but instead of giving us plots and good stories, they are giving us gimmicks in every episode

[David Vaughn]

Once again you are exactly right. instead of going when no man has gone before they are giving us episodes out of continuity. also, they are trying to make this an ensemble. Instead of concentrating on 304 the main characters, as the original series did, they are trying very hard to highlight supporting characters. I did like the puppets only because they look so well, but instead of giving us plots and good stories, they are giving us gifts in every episode

I agree the puppets looked amazing, but I thought I was watching The Muppet Show instead of Star Trek. 

The B&W episode was so far-fetched even for Sci-Fi, and the "vacation" planet episode basic premise was the only way you can have fun is to be intoxicated or on drugs (not surprising coming out of Hollywood). SMH

[Barry]

The B&W episode was so far-fetched even for Sci-Fi, and the "vacation" planet episode basic premise was the only way you can have fun is to be intoxicated or on drugs (not surprising coming out of Hollywood). SMH

Reading that, I am reminded of the last line of the first Pike episode (The Cage)

”They have a fantasy, you have reality. May your way be as pleasant.”