In 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture -- the first feature film in the beloved sci-fi franchise -- arrived in cinemas. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the film will have a limited theatrical re-release this fall.
The Motion Picture's re-release will take place through Fathom Events, which has announced only two dates: Sept. 15 and Sept. 18. The film, which will be screened in more than 500 theaters, will be accompanied by a behind-the-scenes documentary and shown in its original widescreen aspect ratio.
"Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture on the big screen with the original 1979 theatrical cut, featuring Jerry Goldsmith's rousing overture," Fathom said of the re-release. "When an unidentified alien destroys three powerful Klingon cruisers, Captain James T. Kirk returns to a newly transformed U.S.S. Enterprise to take command. The legendary cast of the original Star Trek television series... mobilize at warp speed to stop the alien intruder from its relentless flight toward Earth."
Based on the iconic 1966 Star Trek TV series, the film was originally released Dec. 6, 1979. Directed by Robert Wise, the movie features much of the original cast, including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and James Doohan, reuniting them for the first time since the show’s cancellation around a decade earlier.
Despite not faring too well with critics, The Motion Picture was a box office success regardless, pulling in $139 million against a $46 million budget. The has since been succeeded by five additional films featuring the Enterprise's original crew, four Next Generation-era films and three reboot films.