The Star Trek movie franchise has 13 releases spanning 1979 to 2016, however there may be one movie usually held up because the among the best of the style, 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. And right now the movie picked up one other main accolade, being named as one of many motion pictures added to the National Film Registry for Preservation by the Library of Congress.
Khan preserved for the ages
Today, the Library of Congress introduced the 25 movies being added to the National Film Registry for Preservation for 2024. Films added to the registry are chosen “as a consequence of their cultural, historic or aesthetic significance to protect the nation’s movie heritage.” Submissions for consideration might be made by members of the general public and this 12 months there have been over 6,700 entries, considered one of which was Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
In an announcement offered to TrekFilm, Stephen Leggett of the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center stated, “We picked Wrath of Khan partially as a result of it’s usually thought of the most effective of the theatrical releases within the sequence. The movie additionally acquired important assist in public nominations. Five of this years movies added to the registry are additionally being highlighted for reflecting Hispanic artists and tradition, and this consists of The Wrath of Khan. From the announcement: “One of the alternatives with robust public nominations this 12 months, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” options Mexican-American actor Ricardo Montalbán as the principle antagonist within the movie.”
Cast publicity photograph for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Paramount Pictures)
Here is the official entry for Star Trek II within the National Film Registry:
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Often thought of the most effective of the six original-cast Star Trek theatrical movies, “The Wrath of Khan” options Nicholas Meyer’s professional path and James Horner’s stirring rating to boost the at all times intriguing “Star Trek” scripts, which echo the imaginative and prescient of Gene Roddenberry. “Wrath” reprises an previous nemesis from the 1967 TV episode “Space Seed,” with Kirk (William Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) battling the risky and ruthless Khan (Ricardo Montalban). In half an interstellar recreation of starship cat-and-mouse, and a testosterone-filled alpha mano a mano battle between Kirk and Khan, the movie achieves true resonance when exploring bigger social and private themes, on this case Spock’s private sacrifice to avoid wasting the Enterprise: “The wants of the numerous outweigh the wants of the few…..or the one.”
Being named to the National Film Registry is simply the most recent honor for the movie, which was additionally nominated for a Hugo Award in 1983 in addition to eight Saturn Awards, with William Shatner profitable for Best Actor and Nicholas Meyer profitable for Best Director. Over the a long time, The Wrath of Khan has usually been held up as a typical for each the Star Trek franchise and past, with Ricardo Montalban’s Khan Noonien Singh thought of one of many biggest film villains of all time. The movie has turn into iconic, influencing popular culture and remaining related to today. Homages to the movie have appeared throughout media, together with Seinfeld and even this 12 months in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Ricardo Montalban in The Wrath of Khan (Paramount Pictures)
The Wrath of Khan is the primary film from the Trek franchise to be added to the Registry, which now has 900 movies. According to the Library of Congress, the Star Trek movie acquired “robust public assist” together with another acquainted titles added, together with The Social Network, Dirty Dancing, No Country for Old Men, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The full Registry consists of different style movies, together with all three authentic Star Wars motion pictures. Other 1982 movies on the Registry embrace Blade Runner, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
The National Film Preservation Board was established by Congress in 1988 and given a mandate protect America’s cinematic heritage. 25 movies are added to the Registry yearly. Films should be 10 years previous and deemed “culturally, traditionally or aesthetically” important. The Librarian makes the annual registry alternatives after “conferring with the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board and a cadre of Library specialists.”
According to the Film Preservation Board, they coordinate with studios and movie archives to make sure these movies are archived and preserved for generations to come back. In the case of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan they’ve coordinated with Paramount Pictures, who holds the copyright and homes all of the grasp components, and so they do the preservation work.
For extra on the Film Registry go to loc.gov/movie.
2024 record of movies (Library of Congress)
Nicholas Meyer reacts to accolade
Star Trek II director (and uncredited screenwriter) Nicholas Meyer has launched an announcement concerning the announcement:
I’m drastically stunned and gratified by this honor, however I really feel sure to say in the identical breath that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan stands on the shoulders of many who contributed to the movie in addition to those that have gone earlier than. Alas, they aren’t right here to take their well-deserved bows. We should pay tribute to Gene Roddenberry, Gene Coon, Harve Bennett, Jack Sowards, Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalban, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, Kirstie Alley, James Doohan, Merritt Butrick, Bibi Besch, Paul Winfield, Joe Jennings, Gayne Rescher, Bill Dornisch, Mike Minor & a bunch of others. In their identify and on behalf of present and future Star Trek creators, and on behalf of Star Trek itself and its message of optimism, I thank the Library of Congress for this pretty accolade.
Director Nicholas Meyer with William Shatner on the set of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Paramount Pictures)
Khan the guide
If you wish to take a deep dive into the film, you may choose up Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – The Making of the Classic Film. The espresso desk guide launched final 12 months was thoughtfully researched by John and Maria Jose Tenuto. It consists of new interviews with Meyers and others who labored on the movie. The fully-color illustrated guide is on the market now in at Amazon in hardcover and Kindle eBook.
Find extra Star Trek historical past at TrekFilm.
