That Klingon music has become one of the most iconic tracks in Star Trek history.

Later Trek series made space feel familiar, but in this movie, space feels alien and dangerous in ways we don't understand. I love it.

Gotte love the Klingon attitude of just attacking anything unknown, even if it's a thousand times their own size.

Saw this at the cinema when it came out. The grandeur was impossible to put into words that mean anything now.

A truly magnificent piece of SFX moviemaking workmanship. Even after 40 years, still a thrilling scene, aided of course by the superb Goldsmith score.

Remember, before this move the only thing of Star Trek had been the original tv series. This opening scene with the sweeping camera long shot lingering over the Klingon battleships, the Klingon theme music, the eerie blue unknown structure and its strange metallic clanging music, the ship disintegration (rather than explosion) effect... this scene delivered everything that science fiction fans waited for!

love how true Klingons don’t mess around. Straight into attack mode.

Great sequence and it just goes so well with Jerry Goldsmith’s impressive score. He practically invented Klingon music.

No matter how noisy the audience, the theater was always dead silence during this scene.

Klingons: "It's huge and we don't know what it is, so let's just attack it. What could go wrong?"

an amazing scene. Still love it to this day. Scared the crap out of me when i was a kid thanks to Jerrys amazing score.

Someone needs to sit the “Star Trek Discovery” developers down and force them to watch this clip. Explain to them what Klingons look and act like. They don’t look like poorly-painted Orc rejects.

and the ships actually manage a sense of scale, not zipping about like a fighter-plane but moving like heavy objects... these battlecruisers move like warships! And that bridge is more of a conning tower, lovely that. the separate gunnery stations and the secondar monitor under the big one, and generally the whole feel... this is a massive warship, that's clearly the impression. Not to mention the fanfare that was so great that they re-used it all the way through first contact and DS9

It's hard to put into words the impact this had on us back then when this first came out. I mean...literally, all that there was before this was the original show from the 60s and some cartoon episodes! Seeing Star Trek with Star Wars level effects, the new look of the Klingons, hearing their language for the very first time, and then the terrifyingly ambiguous threat of V'ger....Mind blowing is putting it mildly. How I miss these days!!!

Jerry Goldsmith nailed the music.

Great scene and I love the fact that the lead Klingon ship’s torpedo tube has burn marks on it. Shows what an aggressive species they are. The ol’ shoot first and ask questions later mentality

This entire scene in a large theater with good sound was next level cinema for the era - it still holds up. Always loved the tilt, turn, and roll to follow shot of the Klingon Battlecruiser. This and Spock's foray into V'ger - some fantastic special effects. Hearing Klingon for the first time was pretty cool.

Took me a while before I realized the last Klingon ship gets another shot off right before it gets hit

Interesting bits of trivia: Mark Lenard, aka Spock's father Ambassador Sarek, plays the Klingon Captain. The Klingon dialogue was written by James Doohan, i.e. he created the Klingon words used to express the dialogue originally written in the script. The actor playing Commander Branch was originally hired to play Spock's replacement Xon when TMP was still going to be the TV series Star Trek II.

The bar was set high with this opening scene... one of the best opening scenes in the history of cinema.. I saw this on a big screen in the seventies and it was mindboggling.. Star Wars was still fresh on everybody's mind.. and the expectation of this movie was intesnse.. I wish they had put more of the fighting scenes the movie.... the audience would have left the movie drained and wanting more...

Epic scene. I’d argue the first two Trek films are true classics of cinema. This scene, from the score to the sense of dread, is perfect.

what a scene. those torpedoes were beautiful

When 45 year-old models look better than modern CGI. The close-up at 0:59 makes the bridge section look as big as an office building.

I watched this movie when I was seven years old and those deep bass-ey tones when they showed that energy cloud haunted me in my nightmares for weeks, and oddly enough I'd watch it again and again. Whoever did the score to this movie, kudos!

getting the impression, klingons are the type to shoot first ask questions later

Mom and Dad took my sister and I to see this in 1979. This was my first exposure to Star Trek as I was only 6 years old at the time. This sequence was my favorite part of the movie, but everything afterwards I couldn’t wrap my brain around. V’Ger itself was far beyond my then level of comprehension.

The Klingons after their first torpedo did not stop the energy weapons. “And I’ll fucking do it again!”

I remember watching this in the cinema with my oldest brother in 1978 it was the 3rd science fiction film I ever saw in the cinema and the one that made me love Star Trek. For those who are interested, the 1st film was Logan's Run, and the 2nd was Star Wars.

This scene still stands out as a movie great that even modern methods can’t really improve. Together with the movie score, for me, it doesn’t get better. Flawless

44 years later, the effects still impress. And the music... it's everything!

"Tactical, stand by on torpedoes." in human terms is ''Hailing frequencies.'' "Evasive!'' in human terms means ''Get us the HELL out of here!"

Iconic opening for Star Trek TMP that cemented the idea that Star Trek could work on the big screen. Really ushered in a new era. Wonderful stuff here.

Oh, that wonderful musical score, my goodness!

Saw this in the theaters when I was 10 years old. I thought, geezh it just started and it's the most kick ass episode of Star Trek ever made already.

My hat is off to Federation Intel for getting those video cameras on board the bridges of Klingon cruisers.

Classic Trek then and still now after 44 years. Sends one into Trekspasia. 🤩

the first time we saw forehead ridged klingons

Great scene. I remember being impressed at the time (1979) with the cuneiform-style writing coming up on the Klingon read-outs. I also recall feeling like I was on board with them during the attack.... I took the whole thing very seriously.

I remember watching this opening scene as a kid and being mesmerized on how menacing and lethal those Klingon ships looked with their poisonous snake command decks with those struts in command center.

"...what appeared to be a lightning-storm in space."

The blaster beam in the score adds such power to the scene

I remember seeing this at the movies. I was around 8 or 9. It was very, very big on the screen. The way it was shot made you feel so small next to the action and the vast emptiness of space. Amazing storytelling.

I've really leaned to respect this movie a lot over the years. It wasn't a huge fan favorite but the more I watch it now the more I like this film. It really is very well produced.

I absolutely LOVE this sound track! Why does modern movies have such crappy music when compared to classics like this?

First SF movie I saw in an actual movie theater. Still looks (and sounds) pretty good after all these years.

Fun Fact the flyover sequence from 0:15 to 0:40 is exactly what George Lucas wanted for ther scene in A New Hope where the X-Wings are approaching the Death Star and then open their wings, only he wanted the flyby from the side, but the FX camera operators couldn't figure out how to do it in time to finish the production schedule so the shot was scrapped until Lucas did the "special editions", however when John Dykstra who had a significant role in creating the FX in SW, was contracted to help finish this, he remembered the planned SW shot and they were able to figure out how to do it for the opening shot here, only overhead. So we get it here, but SW had to wait until it could be reimagined in CGI.

Can't get over that Blaster Beam sound. Best. Sound. Ever.....

Damn was this made in 1979?! Looks amazing

This is arguably the best scene in Star Trek TMP - thanks!

4:08 YES! YES! This clip has the original V'ger torpedo sound effects!! Every other release changed the torpedo's sound to a harsh shriek instead of this hauntingly hollow wail.

Brilliant opening ! loved how to torpedos warmed up. Excellent effects and music.

Still the Best opening, even after 40+ years. And the music is simply iconic...no other word for it.

I never get tired of watching this scene. Those special effects were ahead of their time, for 1979. That music is unforgettable. Jerry Goldsmith was a legend. Despite its flaws, I still love this movie.

Proper klingons 👍 Now i will be whistling this tune all day 😂

As a kid, I about wore the grooves smooth for this piece on the soundtrack album. Bass cranked way up. And the absolute BEST photon torpedoes (and warp sequence) came from ST:TMP. Just awesome.

I love that battle music and the ships of the Klingon Empire! Loved at the theater, when it came out!

Still some of the most exotic environments out of any Star Trek film.

Thanks for keeping the Epsilon 9 computer voice! That was important because it mentioned the name of the Klingon ship!

And to think that’s Mark Lenard as the Klingon Commander. He always played Spock’s father. Fantastic!

Wow, splendid. TMP was not as bad as its reputation suggest.

I see so many people below asking why the Klingon's didn't go to warp. That is because they were already at warp, trying to keeping up with V'ger. I read the novel right before the movie came out back in 79 and it said the V'ger was moving so fast across the Klingon's space that these were the only ships that were able to respond.

The best scene in the film and the best theme of any of the series!Just awesome in every way!! It blows me away every time I watch it! The awesome power of the cloud and the vessel hiding beneath it.

Gives me goosebumps, and a shiver whenever I watch this opening scene!

The only time you ever see what the Bridge looks like on a Klingon battle cruiser. From Star Trek three on they mainly used the bird of prey in movies and series . There was a battle cruiser in Star Trek six but you didn’t see the bridge

One of the biggest, baddest aliens in sci-fi history, is the life form who achieved its prime directive, and defensive powers... on a cosmic scale, undreamt of. A living machine, whose cosmic powers and consciousness, were nothing short of godhood, in search of meaning. All hail, Vejur

The klingon's reaction witnessing their comrades literally getting deleted from the reality is what sold that off to me

79?! Wow! I WAS little once! And look at those ships! Nice rendering! And look at this, their fighting a giant synthesizers band. And look, one has a lighting degree from somewhere around Houston.

That's Mark Lenard as the Klingon Captain! So he played representatives of the three major alien races in ST, having been a Romulan Commander, and of course Spock's Vulcan dad Sarek.

In my opinion, this is the best Klingon scene in all of Trek!

I still remember seeing this movie with my dad in the theater. Awesome. I still love this movie and think it got a bad rap in the reviews. I do think that it should've been about 20 minutes shorter but this movie didn't deserve the beating that it got. Considering the pain and bloodletting during the making of it, it's actually amazing that it even made it to release. The special effects chief, Douglas Trumbull, came on in the middle of production, the movie was in trouble, and he poured his life into getting this movie back on track. He and his crew worked unbelievable hours for an extended time and lived on a lot of delivered fast food, coffee, and Mt. Dew. Immediately after he finished his work and delivered it, he was diagnosed with multiple ailments including gall stones, stomach ulcers, and extreme exhaustion. He spent two weeks in the hospital and took long enough in home rest and recovery that he almost missed the movie premier. Nobody can accuse this guy of not giving his all. Whatever they paid him, he earned every penny.

Just bought the full 10 movie dvd set this week. Can't wait to sit down and watch all the ST movies in order.

This really is great in my opinion, somehow I think, everything works here. The music, the SFX moviemaking as Robert said and all, actors also in my opinion. This is just... heh, sorry me laughing but I sometimes come "back" checking to see this scene and of course the movie itself is great also , but this... is well, take care all!, sometimes life is worth living. PS. Repeating this scene and thank you poster! Cheers ...

saw it opening weekend in 1979. us star wars crazy kids weren't sure what to make of the movie but this scene was riveting

I remember watching this back when I was 10 years old, just over 30 years ago - completely blew my mind.

I love the evolution of the Klingons, from the original episodes (TOS) where they just looked human, then you notice these guys, their's no subtlety in their design, their head ridges are exactly the same, making them almost indistinguishable from each other. But later, from Star Trek 3, 5 and 6, the head ridges, lumps and bumps, are now finally personalised for each character, Undiscovered Country has a great variety, just look at General Chang, Chancelor Gorkon, and finally his daughter. And then later Worf. They've come a long way, such a great alien race, probably one of the best in the Star Trek universe.

Klingon logic. If you don't know it, just try to blow it up.

The Computer Voice has been removed from subsequent Director's cuts .... pity

Incredible scene when I was 10, incredible scene now. I just love the background music!

The introduction in the beginning of the franchise to the originating Klingons... Well done.

nicely done. Big fan of your channel

I like the grimy look these ships have. I loved when they fixed up Discovery season two, and bought the REAL D-7 back, only with even cooler weapons. I also like the more vintage and straightforward look the computer displays have in this one, and how that carried into the next couple films. I’ve heard they used TRS-80s for some scenes.

It was an amazing night in Savannah Georgia that weekend. Best memories of my life.

Even as a child, I found it strange that they didn't just flee with warp. This torpedo battle lasts what feels like an eternity. But for 1979 really good VFX! In my opinion one of the most abstract films in the series.

3:55 they jumped out of their seats!Lol 😃😄😂

I remember seeing this in the theater when it came out -- the new look for the Klingons was quite a surprise.

Glad this is the non directors cut. I enjoy the longer sequence with the message from the Klingon commander being intercepted and translated

So good to finally find the original version. The 'enhanced' version on the later DVDs with all the added sound effects on the bridge and the deletion of the computer voiced narration just doesn't seem right.

I have a CD with this track on it. Coincidentally, it was timed to come on just as I was entering the onramp for I-5 N going to San Diego. Great score for freeway combat.😉😄

Best part of the hole move! Really spectacular on the big screen in 1979. Damn cool!👍🤣👍

Simply glorious! And i always thought it interesting that the first word he said sounded like "V'Gar".

This is even more epic than the Death Star battle in Star Wars.

My dad always loved this opening scene ❤

Saw at the Parkway Cinema in 1979 . Epic then and even more so now after 44 years. The soundtrack for the prelude and intermission were throwbacks to better times and better movies

Excellent video. The only thing missing is the final dramatic foreboding music and shot of the V’ger cloud.

Definitely my favourite scene in TMP, and except for the "new Klingons", was the most spectacular thing we had ever seen in Star Trek. For 43 years we have complained that The Trouble With Tribbles demonstrated that a Klingon can be mistaken for human.

Effects were solid for 1979, not overdone. Did the best with what they had.

When I first saw the reimagined Klingons, their ships and that awesome, compelling music, I cried. I knew that this was going to be a great movie. Sadly I was mistaken. This scene was the best in the whole flick.

A great job !! This video has the scene where the computer with informatic language says the Klingon situation.... Great! A huge huge from Lima-Perú 👍

Those Klingon Bastards Didn't Kill My Son, but V'ger showed them who's boss.

I get pissed off when I hear trekkies rag on this film. It has more soul, more grandeur than any other Star Trek film.