Star Trek - The Original Series, Episode 16: The Menagerie Part I & II [VHS]

How amazing it would be to take someone such sever injuries in a wheelchair only controlled by their mind. Then ended up transported to a planted that their mind would only see a healthy body. How many people might want that? I'm in a wheelchair and I'm not sure if I would want my mind played with, put then at times it would be nice to take my dog for a walk where ever he wants, not where I can only go.

One of the best episodes of Star Trek, the original series. Captain Kirk's idol (Captain Pike) from the Enterprise ship was shown as he was before the attack of delta rays which left him as a total non capacited person, (just to say that he was so handsome and cute before that attack). That episode of the Talus IV planet I watched for the very first time in my country -Peru- in 1967 in the spanish version and in black and white. However, it was so well done due to the year released, that impressed me so much. I was only 11 years old and it got me in that way that I thought it was real and left me thinking about what kind of planets would exist up there in the many galaxies outspace. At the end, the talusians gave Captain Pike his original appearence and made him living an illusional life with his female companion (also restored by those beings)happy ever after. So many questions about that illusional life like for example, are they going to get old?, how come if they are living an illusion of beauty and youth?, still remain without answer.That was also the Apollo era and everybody was crazy about spaceships and the astronauts, etc., so the episode just match the moment.The impression that brought me when I watched those series just kept in my mind during my whole life, and now that I came to America ten years ago I finally found those episodes so I can remember them and watch them also anytime I want, mostly when I feel nostalgic about the time I lived and it is not coming back anymore.Comparing the original series with the "Next Generation" episodes, the first ones have many flaws, but that is the point, at that moment there weren't so many special effects or computer effects that sometimes overcome the watcher and they left the other things to our imagination, which of course was better than the sometimes dissapointment "effects"It also reveals the loyalty, about the always logical Mr.Spock (who was the favorite personage of the series) and his former superior even though he put in risk his future in the Starfleet and the new crew's, the gentle manners of Captain Pike, the way that he was, honest and clear. Some of that attributes me and my friends were looking forward to get male friends, which after sometime we knew it was not going to be true, because he was a fictional creation but not a real one. To me, they always exist in the "space-time" dimenssion, like Einstein once explained, but in my only way theory: I can put the DVD in my player and watch them like thousand times.

Nostalgia, I first saw this episode on television in the early 70’s, I always remembered it and wanted to see it again. I’m very pleased to be able to purchase it on Amazon. Clear picture and clear audio. I definitely recommend this Star Trek episode.

An All-Time Favorite episode from this classic Star Trek series. This pilot never aired, but the producers conjured up a brilliant way to show this in a 2-part series with former Enterprise Captain Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter) in command, whose now emaciated body must make a critical choice about his future. Spock plays an important role in taking him back to Talos IV with the threat of court-martial (because he hijacks the Enterprise to do this). The story is played in versions by Spock, who mysteriously is able to review past events on the monitor.Brilliantly done!

"The Menagerie" is the finest, most satisfying "Star Trek" episode, having more plot, subplot, backstory, characterization, and BUDGET (in the footage from the unaired pilot "The Cage") than any other episode of the original series. Along with "The Naked Time," "Balance of Terror," and "City on the Edge of Forever" it best represents what the series aspired to be. None of the subsequent television series or movies have come close to the impact this two-parter has had upon "Star Trek" viewers for close to five decades. The superb incidental music by Alexander Courage can hold its own with almost any film score.

I loved this 2-part story of Captain Pike. The video arrived pretty quickly and it works perfectly so I'm very happy with it. I would recommend this seller.

This is the original Pilot. A 2 hour eposide which Rodenberry couldn't get released until he sold it to Desilu(not Paramont). I Love Lucy bought this up as a new sci fi show. Not until a year later was the 2nd Original released with James Kirk not Christopher Pike(captains names). Note in this original 'Number One' was a woman, whom I believe was Gene Rodenberry's wife. There is tons of history on Wikipedia. Also many documentaries to rent about Star Trek. Enjoy

Riveting! Captivated me, just as it did in 1966 when I was a child of ten! Thanks so very much, this was indeed a pleasure. Kudos on great price and speedy delivery too!

very pleased with this.glitch and artifact-free transfer. very good picture and sound.R1 ntsc disc -non-north american viewers needs multi- region player/pc.created our of necessity by g.rodenberry using the pilot show 'the cage', the result is coherent, well paced and some of the best of ST.pre-cgi effects effective! susan oliver gives a memorable performance.also jeffrey hunter as cap'n pike.

Great TV worth another look.

sehr hervorzuheben ist wohl "space seed". nicht nur die darsteller (ricardo monalban - sehr gut, seeehr böse!!) liefern eine gute leistung, auch die story ist sehr interessant. khan (montalban) und seine mannschaft wurden in ferner vergangenheit in einen tiefschlaf in ihrem raumschiff versetzt, um dann von der enterprise gefunden und geweckt zu werden. natuerlich versucht khan nun die enterprise zu uebernehmen...

No dislikes at all. Great movie