I have loved Star Trek: The Motion Picture since the first time I saw it in 1979. I remember the theatre I was in, I remember being swept up by the music and imagery, it blew my young little mind, and just made me love the characters, especially the Enterprise all the more.

My fascination with how films were made was blossoming even at that age. I knew about models, and camera tricks, and was intrigued by how the images I saw came to be put on the screen. Over the years I’ve read articles, and books about the making of the film, but never have I had an in-depth exploration of how the visual effects and art of the film were brought to life.

Titan Books solved that little issue for me with their gorgeous book, Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Art and Visual Effects. A deep dive into the making of the effects and designs for the film, the book is filled with paintings, production photos, and art, some of which I had never seen before.

The book takes the reader behind the production from its beginning as Star Trek: Phase II through to the Director’s Edition that finally allowed director Robert Wise to deliver the film he always wanted.

There are a number of familiar names behind the scenes, Dykstra, Trumbull, Mead, Probert, that film fans and science fiction fans will recognize, and their efforts are detailed throughout the comprehensive book.

Bond and Kozicki deliver a lush, lovingly made document that celebrates the love that countless fans have for TMP despite the fact that one reviewer called it The Motionless Picture. This is a film that is filled with nostalgia for me, a gorgeous score by Jerry Goldsmith, and even when I was a kid I was filled with a sense of wonder and discovery as the characters I loved found the human adventure continuing on the big screen.

Filled with production photos, art, models, and concepts, this book is informative and gorgeous. It now has a pride of place in my collection, and I lost count of the times I watched the film or listened to the score as I worked my way through the text. Beautifully put together, the images perfectly complement the text, and the spreads are simply captivating.

Any excuse to revisit this film is a good one for me, and now, after reading how the visual effects and film magic combined to make the Enterprise soar and the mystery of V’Ger so tantalizing I may have to go watch it again.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Art and Visual Effects is a stunning, enjoyable and informative read… Boldly go.