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Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor

starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy

: Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 10, Episodes 19 & 20: Arena/ The Alternative Factor
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9786305755036
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 6305755035
Label: CBS Paramount International Television
Manufacturer: CBS Paramount International Television
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: CBS Paramount International Television
Region Code: 1
Release Date: March 21, 2000
Running Time: 101 minutes
Sales Rank: 55139
Studio: CBS Paramount International Television
Theatrical Release Date: September 08, 1966



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Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Volume 10 of Paramount's DVD series of original Star Trek episodes includes 'Arena,' based on a script by Trek producer Gene L. Coon, the other indispensable figure (besides Gene Roddenberry) in making Star Trek what it was. After writing what he believed was an original teleplay about a one-on-one battle between Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and the reptilian commander of an enemy vessel, Coon realized he had probably been subconsciously inspired by a similar short story written by Fredric Brown (who was promptly credited and paid). The concept of a human-and-alien duel to the death in primitive terrain, however, was slightly ubiquitous in the 1960s (see 'Fun and Games,' a masterpiece from the original The Outer Limits TV show), and was revisited in the '80s via the Arnold Schwarzenegger feature, Predator. But under Coon's guidance and direction by Joseph Pevney, 'Arena' stands on its own as a particularly strong story of what battle does to one's humanity. Shatner is in great form for this one.

Also in this volume is a minor episode, 'The Alternative Factor,' in which Kirk encounters two versions of a fellow named Lazarus (Robert Brown), one from our own dimension and the other from an antimatter cosmos. The latter Lazarus intends to create an opening between worlds, potentially causing an intergalactic Armageddon. Though directed by Gerd Oswald, an interesting feature filmmaker from Hollywood, 'The Alternative Factor' has to work a little too hard to make its point. Still, it isn't boring, and the theme certainly fits that long-standing Star Trek obsession with dualities. --Tom Keogh



Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Where Do Gorns Come From
Although Gene Coon was forced to concede his idea for "Arena" may have come from elsewhere, I recently ... Read More


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - From heighths to the depths
This disc roller-coasters from one of Trek's best episodes to one of its worst. "Arena," in which Kirk ... Read More


Rating: 2 out of 5 stars - Forgettable, Implausible and Among the Weakest Eps of the Season
If you are picking and choosing which volumes to collect, give this one a miss. The 2 stars are for "Arena" ... Read More


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - An Alternative Opinion
Being an ORIGINAL trekkie (I care not for johnnie-come-lately Trekkors who have no clue what this series meant ... Read More


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - One strong episode, and one very weak one
Arena-This strong episode sees Kirk locked in a life and death struggle with the lizard-like Gorn. The episode ... Read More

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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.