William Shatner Says New Star Trek Documentary Shows How the Series Changed Television and the World

William Shatner wasn’t like that. It remains to be seen whether audiences will approve of his new documentary, 60 Years of Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World.

As the 95-year-old star took the stage at the Regal Times Square Theater for the documentary’s New York premiere, he offered a candid prediction: “You might like it, you might not.” The actor who played Captain Kirk added, “You’re going to see a nice movie made by caring people.”

60 Years of Mission explores Star Trek‘s cultural impact

The original Star Trek series ran from 1966 to 1969. 60 Years of Mission is written and directed by Mark A. Altman, the author of the Inglourious Trexperts podcast. The documentary premiered during New York Comic Con and opened in select theaters this weekend. It examines the show’s cultural impact and legacy while exploring how Star Trek reflected the political climate of the era in which it was made.

“I think viewers will be pleasantly surprised,” Altman said. 60 Years of Mission examines how the 1960s shaped Star Trek. For the film, Altman interviewed dozens of notable fans and stars, including Shatner and Simon Pegg, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation actors Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner.

From Nichelle Nichols to George Takei, the documentary revisits Star Trek‘s legacy

The president’s niece and Star Trek fan Mary L. Trump praised the show’s pioneering portrayal, especially Nichelle Nichols’ character, Lieutenant Uhura. George Takei, who played Sulu, recounts his harrowing experiences in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II. Other interviewees discuss how characters such as Spock became heroes for queer fans.

As has been well documented, these issues were important to the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died in 1991. He was a World War II veteran with progressive leanings, despite years spent in traditionally conservative workplaces such as the U.S. Army and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mark A. Altman compares Captain Kirk to JFK

Altman argues that “Captain Kirk was JFK,” suggesting that President Kennedy’s New Frontier initiative represented the final frontier that Star Trek explored.

Shatner, however, did not initially view the show in those terms. “When they offered me the role, I wasn’t thinking in those terms,” said Shatner, who served as an executive producer on 60 Years of Mission. “I thought, ‘I’ve got a job that pays me regularly.’ It wasn’t until later that the spell was broken. Star Trek happened.”

Why Star Trek continues to resonate

Part of the show’s magic, Shatner added, is the way Star Trek has influenced people’s lives. “Those people come from a variety of backgrounds, and the show was accessible because of the very particular tensions that exist within its politics,” Altman explained.

“Roddenberry was liberal on social issues, but tough on defense. That’s what Star Trek is,” he said. “You need a phaser to take down the Klingons, but we believe in a diverse crew.”