The Voyage Home. US/UK differences.

[Jonno1971]

Hi all. I've been fascinated for a while now over the differences between the UK and US versions of this film. I understand about the pre-credits reprise that we got over here so that's not the issue.

What i'm interested in is the way the title of the film is presented on screen. Here in the UK the Voyage Home part is presented in big thick blue lettering. The O in vOyage appears first and takes on the appearance of the 'golf ball' at the front of the probe before forming the letter itself. Underneath in much smaller print is 'Star Trek IV'.

So my question to US fans who saw the film back in the 80s is .....is the version on DVD/Bluray the original as it was seen in 1986 in the US with regard to the title lettering ?

Also does anyone know why there was such an unusually large gap between the US and UK release dates ? Here in UK it came out around April 1987 several months after the US release date. As far as i know this is the only time this happened.

Sorry if this all seems a bit trivial.

 

[Khan 2.0]

was just thinking about that the other day - most of the Trek movies had large gaps between US/UK release (e.g. V was October 89, VI was Feb 92, Gen Feb 95) but IV seems to be the longest gap. just as well there was no internet back then (however you could pick up the starlog movie magazine, DC comic, Pocket novel, and Cinefantastique issue in comic stores at the time of the US release thus ruining the film for yourself several times over)

 

[Silanda]

What i'm interested in is the way the title of the film is presented on screen. Here in the UK the Voyage Home part is presented in big thick blue lettering. The O in vOyage appears first and takes on the appearance of the 'golf ball' at the front of the probe before forming the letter itself. Underneath in much smaller print is 'Star Trek IV'.

Out of interest, when you say "here in the UK", what are you referring to? The original cinema release, TV, DVD? I ask as I don't recall ever seeing that title variant. That being said, my memory can be a little fuzzy, and I wish I still had my taping of the first TV showing, and a VHS player, to see how it was presented there.

EDIT: Ah, thanks to comments on this youtube video,

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, I've seen a screenshot of this from the UK VHS now. I'm positive it wasn't on what I believe was the first UK TV airing and, judging by the comments, it had been added to the UK VHS (and maybe cinema) release to somehow distance the film from Star Trek.

 

[Tosk]

We had the UK variant here in Australia for a long time. I had it on VHS for sure, and I'm fairly certain it was that way when I saw it theatrically as a child, but not 100% on that. The AUS DVD releases feature the prologue but kept the US style opening title if I recall correctly. The Blu-ray is a worldwide release so features only the straight US cut.

 

[One Lucky Red Shirt]

Wow that sucks. I figure this prologue wouldve been included on the other regions releases. I never knew about this until i watched it on youtube. It doesnt really add anything but it is cool. I can see why it was added on for non-us theatrical screenings since trek isnt as popular in some markets.

But it wouldve been cool to add onto. U would think at least f the 50th they wouldve added it back into the film f the box set or something. Oh well. Im guessing maybe it isnt as simple as just adding it back in. Movie politics or something.

 

[Saul]

I remember the 25th Anniversary VHS of ST:TVH from the UK had the prologue on it but TV broadcasts didn't.

 

[diankra]

I remember seeing the "Voyage Home (Star Trek IV)" version in 87. I believe the reason for the different title card is that Trek III wasn't realised in France (and possibly elsewhere), so the initial European prints minimised the confusing numeral (the soundtrack would be dubbed once they reached France, and obviously the French posters omitted the numeral).

 

[Tosk]

I believe the reason for the different title card is that Trek III wasn't realised in France

According to IMDb, it did get released in France.

 

[One Lucky Red Shirt]

It would just be cool to add it to the beginning of the film or at least as a special feature. That short directors documentary released on vhs should be included on the blu ray release too.

 

[Jonno1971]

Out of interest, when you say "here in the UK", what are you referring to? The original cinema release, TV, DVD ?.

The original cinema release in April 87. I went to see the film three times. It was also on the UK video release in 88 or 89, can't quite remember the year. I've still got the video and checked it the other day just to make sure my mind was'nt playing tricks.

 

[Jonno1971]

So just to clarify guys. Is the opening title font in the opening seqiuence on the bluray release the actual one seen in cinemas in 87 ?

 

[Cγrano Mudd]

Never liked these kind of bring-you-up-to-speed intros.