The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed Starship captains wit... Read allThe Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Self
- (as Sir Patrick Stewart)
- Self - Senior Vice President of Bombardier
- (as Steve Ridolfi)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe private jet that William Shatner is flying on during the movie is a Bombardier XRS Global Express (model name changed to Bombardier Global 6000 after May 2011).
- GoofsThe goof about him saying he was 5 or 6 when in a play about the Holocaust is probably wrong (but to by much), he was probably 7 or 8 and it could have been about Kristallnacht, also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass. A major Antisemitic event in 1938 Germany. Shatner was 7 when that took place. Also, there was numerous Antisemitic violence before that time in Germany.
- Quotes
Chris Pine: I don't have any kind of death wish but I definitely do get competitive.
- Crazy creditsHead Sci/Fantasy Con Promoter Debbie Hess
- ConnectionsFeatures Star Trek (1966)
As a young adult now I look back at the shows with a great sense of nostalgia and joy and have come to admire the original two Captains of the Enterprise for their influence on previous and current generations. I'm not a trekkie, as I have never been to a convention or felt the need to sport Spock ears, but I am for sure a fan.
So let's be honest about this, would I have watched Shatner's The Captains if it weren't for so many fond childhood memories? No. Would I have enjoyed it if it weren't for said memories? No. Is it a quality documentary by its own right? No. Is William Shatner a talented or even competent interviewer? No, although the other reviewers would disagree with me on that one. From my point of view Shatner makes some basic and rookie mistakes in his technique as an interviewer, best shown during his interview with Avery. So is it all just a wash and 90 mins of my life wasted on a pursuit of childhood nostalgia? No, and here's why.
What Shatner does in The Captains, is to give us a look into his own Star Trek experience. What it was like as the first captain, what it did to him at the time and in the years after. How it affected his personal life (failed marriage with three kids) and how he has struggled to give Kirk a place in his life. Shatner's journey of discovery is deeply personal as he, with the help of his fellow captains and Stewart in particular, comes to terms with the legacy he will eventually leave behind when Scotty beams him up one final time. This theme of mortality works brilliantly as a stark contrast to the immortality of the Star Trek franchise as it lives on to this day still.
The Captains gives us fans a never before seen glimpse into Shatner's mind and heart. It is dirty and messy at times, but always honest and genuine.
Watch this if you are a fan and interested in the man that made the captain that inspired millions to boldly go where no one has gone before
P.S. To Shatner and all the captains, much love and appreciation for your work.
- Erikwk04
- Oct 26, 2011
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Капитаны
- Filming locations
- Toronto Pearson International Airport - 6301 Silver Dart Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada(Private jet taxiing with voiceover from Shatner describing flying to Toronto to pick up the film crew, and meeting the President [actually the Senior Vice President] of Bombardier Aircraft on the tarmac.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro