My all-time favorite episode of the original Star Trek series is "Metamorphosis", guest starring Elinor Donahue and Glenn Corbett, but "The City on the Edge of Forever" is next to it at the top for me. Star Trek was a truly great series, and the forerunner of many other great movies and television that followed. Respect to all involved.
Rather surprising that Nimoy (via the Sci Fi Channel) got this one wrong. The aired version is what won the Hugo. Ellison’s original teleplay won the Writer’s Guild award that same year.
“The City on the Edge of Forever” (Sci-Fi Channel Presentation) Intro and Bridging Points by William Shatner & Leonard Nimoy “Star Trek Insights” by Harlan Ellison Story by Harlan Ellison Final Teleplay by Harlan Ellison, Gene L. Coon, D.C. Fontana & Gene Roddenberry Directed by Joseph Pevney Produced by Gene L. Coon Executive Producer/Creator: Gene Roddenberry Starring William Shatner Also Starring Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock And DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy Special Guest Star: Joan Collins as Sister Edith Keeler Main Theme Composed by Alexander Courage Additional Music by Fred Steiner Costume Design: William Ware Theiss Production Design: Matt Jefferies Cinematographer: Jerry Finnerman Makeup: Fred Phillips Hairstyles: Pat Westmore Visual Effects: Howard Anderson Co. Production: Desilu, Norway Corporation Released by CBS/Viacom Studios
They didn’t mention that producing Ellison’s script would have significantly exceeded the meager Star Trek budget, according to a books written by William Shatner, and by Herbert F. Solow and Robert Justman. I am surprised that given the enduring Star Trek popularity, someone hasn’t produced Ellison’s original work.
I think the changes made to the script needed to be made so there was consistency in the characters. I understand Mr. Ellison's frustration, but he didn't understand TOS characters, or clearly the ramifications to the entire series. IF Kirk had saved Edith Keeler. Still my #1 Star Trek episode. He wrote a great story.
When it's cold outside, I've got the month in May. I guess, you say, In your world, so far away What can make me feel this way? Stone knives, and bear skins.
For all his talent as a writer, it seems Ellison didnt understand Star Trek. He believes that Kirk would have given up The Federation and Star Fleet and the peace of the galaxy for love, but this is antithetical to Star Trek. Kirk lived in a time where people committed their lives to the cause of peace, harmony and freedom. i just dont believe that Kirk would have put his personal happiness above that. I believe he would have had the courage to make this tremendous sacrifice. While I'm sure Ellison's script was much better and more imaginative than the rewrite and would have made a great love story, it just wasn't right for Trek.
The people of the 23rd Century Federation and Starfleet have the moral compass to see the big picture (usually) and can accept death and torture rather than allow someone like Khan to take power, or stand for the Prime Directive to prevent another civilization from being corrupted or destroyed. If Kirk was willing to sacrifice the future for love, then he didn't deserve to be a starship captain, like Captain Merrick who was knocked out of the service by failing his psycho-simulator test. In another example, Kirk said he wouldn't change his actions during the ion storm to save his friend Finney (who named his daughter Jame after James Kirk).
Harlan Ellison was one of the great science fiction writers; he also appears to have been an overbearing, whiny baby. He could not stand the idea that his story had to be changed to work in the Trek format. There is an audiobook of his "City on the Edge of Forever," and the first 45 minutes or so are devoted to his ranting complaints about the whole rewrite controversy. He just couldn't let it go. Great talent, major jerk. We owe him much for the story, though- it was the best episode in a number of ways, not least of which is the musical score.
I think also there is another point to be made and that is Harlan's boast about how the script he wrote had Spock literally prevent Jim from saving her. No matter how "right" Spock might have been to do it, it would have altered their relationship permanently. Instead, Spock merely yells, "No Jim!" thereby reminding him of his decision that was already understood to be his only reasonable course of action. Spock and Bones have always been the two sides of Kirk's personality - logic and emotion. Spock literally holding Kirk back might have ruined that dynamic.
And Ellison would call bullshit on a blanket assertion about what someone might do in such an ultimate moment, let alone a fictional character. The point is, which choice works better dramatically on film? Having seen the episode and read Ellison’s original script any number of times, I’m still not sure. With its stage directions and insight into how the characters are feeling in the moment Ellison’s version is wonderful on paper, but visually it makes Kirk a passive actor for the most important decision of his life. On film, he ends up doing the heroic thing, which is the predictable thing, but the reasoning and agonizing raw emotion is all right there, in a scene that has lost none of its power for in fifty years.
Ellison understood Star Trek very well…it’s just that he always preferred to “push the envelope”. Ellison actually championed Star Trek and personally typed a letter to NBC when the series was threatened with cancellation.
While I think that the story, as it was done, was terrific, Its not I don't understand & agree with Harlan Ellison's view/creativity, but, I think that his version, as i have heard in other videos, is way ahead of it's time & would be worth making today. As I'm sure that he would agree, Lucy (Lucille Ball) & Desilu Execs wouldn't allow A Drug Kingpin Or Dealer As A Crew Of The Enterprise, nor would it have likely gotten by Censors. It'd be a good idea to see it made in these times. Pkease, let me know what you what you think & especially Harlan Ellison, if still alive.
Couldn't they avoid Edith death by taking her to the 23rd century, so in that way there is no 20th century pacifist movement that will delay the U.S. entrance in WW2?
![ALLY - OH MY! [ REACTION ] 'Amarin Nitibhon' #ALLY_OHMY #ALLY #allynitibhon #แอลลี่](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nX9qpHjVfbQ/mqdefault.jpg)
One important lesson is first demonstrated in this episode. “The Needs of the Many outweigh the Needs of the Few, or the One.”
Applies both to the episode and the script-writing process, i'd say!
This was one of the best episodes they did. I also liked the episode where Spock had the beard in the parallel universe.
My all-time favorite episode of the original Star Trek series is "Metamorphosis", guest starring Elinor Donahue and Glenn Corbett, but "The City on the Edge of Forever" is next to it at the top for me. Star Trek was a truly great series, and the forerunner of many other great movies and television that followed. Respect to all involved.
If Star Trek only existed as this one episode - for example as a story from The Other Limits or The Twilight Zone - it would still be remembered
This was a great video thanks for posting it
Yes it is my all time favorite episode, I was ten when it aired and it made quite an impression.
A Powerful Being that is both a Machine and a Powerful God… seems familiar…
Rather surprising that Nimoy (via the Sci Fi Channel) got this one wrong. The aired version is what won the Hugo. Ellison’s original teleplay won the Writer’s Guild award that same year.
“The City on the Edge of Forever” (Sci-Fi Channel Presentation)
Intro and Bridging Points by William Shatner & Leonard Nimoy
“Star Trek Insights” by Harlan Ellison
Story by Harlan Ellison
Final Teleplay by Harlan Ellison, Gene L. Coon, D.C. Fontana & Gene Roddenberry
Directed by Joseph Pevney
Produced by Gene L. Coon
Executive Producer/Creator: Gene Roddenberry
Starring William Shatner
Also Starring Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock
And DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy
Special Guest Star:
Joan Collins as Sister Edith Keeler
Main Theme Composed by Alexander Courage
Additional Music by Fred Steiner
Costume Design: William Ware Theiss
Production Design: Matt Jefferies
Cinematographer: Jerry Finnerman
Makeup: Fred Phillips
Hairstyles: Pat Westmore
Visual Effects: Howard Anderson Co.
Production: Desilu, Norway Corporation
Released by CBS/Viacom Studios
You forgot that Stephen Carabatsos had a had in the script rewrite as well.
Jimmy Doohan once said that he thought Harlan Ellison had diarrhea of the mouth, but liked him regardless.
One of my favorites 😊
They didn’t mention that producing Ellison’s script would have significantly exceeded the meager Star Trek budget, according to a books written by William Shatner, and by Herbert F. Solow and Robert Justman. I am surprised that given the enduring Star Trek popularity, someone hasn’t produced Ellison’s original work.
Actually IDW produced a fantastic comic book adaptation of Ellison original script. It’s fantastic!
I think the changes made to the script needed to be made so there was consistency in the characters. I understand Mr. Ellison's frustration, but he didn't understand TOS characters, or clearly the ramifications to the entire series. IF Kirk had saved Edith Keeler. Still my #1 Star Trek episode. He wrote a great story.
👍👍
They kiss! Spock goes back inside. . .
I think a lot of folk overlook how the story, as televised, is an indictment of pacifism. . .
When it's cold outside,
I've got the month in May.
I guess, you say,
In your world, so far away
What can make me feel this way?
Stone knives, and bear skins.
For all his talent as a writer, it seems Ellison didnt understand Star Trek. He believes that Kirk would have given up The Federation and Star Fleet and the peace of the galaxy for love, but this is antithetical to Star Trek. Kirk lived in a time where people committed their lives to the cause of peace, harmony and freedom. i just dont believe that Kirk would have put his personal happiness above that. I believe he would have had the courage to make this tremendous sacrifice. While I'm sure Ellison's script was much better and more imaginative than the rewrite and would have made a great love story, it just wasn't right for Trek.
The people of the 23rd Century Federation and Starfleet have the moral compass to see the big picture (usually) and can accept death and torture rather than allow someone like Khan to take power, or stand for the Prime Directive to prevent another civilization from being corrupted or destroyed. If Kirk was willing to sacrifice the future for love, then he didn't deserve to be a starship captain, like Captain Merrick who was knocked out of the service by failing his psycho-simulator test. In another example, Kirk said he wouldn't change his actions during the ion storm to save his friend Finney (who named his daughter Jame after James Kirk).
Harlan Ellison was one of the great science fiction writers; he also appears to have been an overbearing, whiny baby. He could not stand the idea that his story had to be changed to work in the Trek format. There is an audiobook of his "City on the Edge of Forever," and the first 45 minutes or so are devoted to his ranting complaints about the whole rewrite controversy. He just couldn't let it go. Great talent, major jerk. We owe him much for the story, though- it was the best episode in a number of ways, not least of which is the musical score.
I think also there is another point to be made and that is Harlan's boast about how the script he wrote had Spock literally prevent Jim from saving her. No matter how "right" Spock might have been to do it, it would have altered their relationship permanently. Instead, Spock merely yells, "No Jim!" thereby reminding him of his decision that was already understood to be his only reasonable course of action. Spock and Bones have always been the two sides of Kirk's personality - logic and emotion. Spock literally holding Kirk back might have ruined that dynamic.
And Ellison would call bullshit on a blanket assertion about what someone might do in such an ultimate moment, let alone a fictional character. The point is, which choice works better dramatically on film? Having seen the episode and read Ellison’s original script any number of times, I’m still not sure. With its stage directions and insight into how the characters are feeling in the moment Ellison’s version is wonderful on paper, but visually it makes Kirk a passive actor for the most important decision of his life. On film, he ends up doing the heroic thing, which is the predictable thing, but the reasoning and agonizing raw emotion is all right there, in a scene that has lost none of its power for in fifty years.
Ellison understood Star Trek very well…it’s just that he always preferred to “push the envelope”. Ellison actually championed Star Trek and personally typed a letter to NBC when the series was threatened with cancellation.
While I think that the story, as it was done, was terrific, Its not I don't understand & agree with Harlan Ellison's view/creativity, but, I think that his version, as i have heard in other videos, is way ahead of it's time & would be worth making today. As I'm sure that he would agree, Lucy (Lucille Ball) & Desilu Execs wouldn't allow A Drug Kingpin Or Dealer As A Crew Of The Enterprise, nor would it have likely gotten by Censors. It'd be a good idea to see it made in these times. Pkease, let me know what you what you think & especially Harlan Ellison, if still alive.
Couldn't they avoid Edith death by taking her to the 23rd century, so in that way there is no 20th century pacifist movement that will delay the U.S. entrance in WW2?
Yet Kirk brought a woman into his future when he stole those whales, timelime be damned
Video content - good.
Video quality - not so good.
this is a video from 1998 that you wanted
no way Kirk would fall in love with such a boring frump in a few days, just a passing infatuation. boring story with no action totally overrated.
Bitter much....
it’s harlan ellison what do you expect