The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World, a new documentary written and directed by Mark A. Altman, premiered at New York Comic Con and is now playing in select theaters. The film focuses on the original Star Trek series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, and examines its cultural impact and legacy. According to Altman, audiences are often surprised to see how much the 1960s shaped the show.
The documentary features interviews with a range of figures, including William Shatner, George Takei, and several actors from later Star Trek series. It highlights the show's pioneering representation, such as Nichelle Nichols' Lieutenant Uhura, and explores how characters like Spock became heroes for queer fans. Takei gives a harrowing account of his childhood in a Japanese American internment camp. Altman argues that Star Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry, was liberal on social issues but hard-nosed on defense, a tension that defined the show. Shatner, however, says he initially saw the role simply as a regular paid job.
From a business perspective, the documentary is another entry in the enduring Star Trek media franchise, which continues to expand with new series like Starfleet Academy. The film also touches on contemporary themes, with Brent Spiner noting that modern AI falls short of the idealistic android Data he played. By connecting the original series to current debates, the documentary aims to keep the franchise relevant for a new generation of viewers.