Three versions of this film exist. The film was originally released in theaters in 1979. The film was first shown on broadcast network television in 1983 and included 12 minutes of additional footage. This version was subsequently released on VHS as the "Special Longer Version." In 2001, a Director's Edition of the film was released on DVD and VHS. The Director's Edition included some additional dialogue not shown in the 1979 theatrical version, and some dialogue was cut out from the 1979 theatrical version. The 2001 Director's Edition is four minutes longer than the 1979 theatrical version. The dialogue from both prior versions that was not included in the main feature of the 2001 Director's Edition was included as deleted scenes on the "Bonus Features" disc. In the quotes that follow, the differences in dialogue are noted when they were not identical in all three versions.
MS Montgomery Scott
The crew haven't had near enough transition time with all the new equipment. And the engines-- They're not even tested at warp power. And an untried captain.
James T. Kirk Two-and-a-half years as chief of Starfleet Operations may have made me a little stale, but I wouldn't exactly consider myself ... untried. [Scotty gives him a bewildered look.] They gave her back to me, Scotty.
MS Montgomery Scott
Gave her back, sir? Oh, I doubt it was that easy with Nogura.
James T. Kirk [Scottish accent]
You're right. [both laugh]
Admiral, this is an almost totally new Enterprise. You don't know her a tenth as well as I do.
James T. Kirk That's why you're staying aboard. I'm sorry, Will.
No, Admiral, I don't think you're sorry. Not one damn bit. I remember when you recommended me for this command. You told me how envious you were and how much you hoped you'd find a way to get a starship command again. Well, sir, it looks like you found a way.
James T. Kirk Report to the bridge, Commander, immediately.
James T. Kirk [A transporter accident just occurred.]
Starfleet, do you have them?
M Man
[on radio]
Enterprise, what we brought back didn't live long, fortunately.
James T. Kirk Starfleet, Kirk. Please express my condolences to their families. Commander Sonak's can be reaches through the Vulcan embassy. There was nothing you could have done, Rand. It wasn't your fault.
James T. Kirk Yeoman?
James T. Kirk What was the problem down there?
Y Yeoman
He insisted we go first, sir. Said something about first seeing how it scrambled our molecules.
James T. Kirk [to Rand]
Has a familiar ring, doesn't it? Starfleet, this is Captain Kirk. Beam that officer up now.
James T. Kirk [Preceding dialogue in 2001 Director's Edition only. Following dialogue included in all versions of the film, and a continuation of the same scene in the 2001 Director's Edition.]
Well, for a man who swore he'd never return to Starfleet--
Just a moment, Captain, sir. I'll explain what happened. Your revered Admiral Nogura invoked a little-known, seldon-used reserve activation clause. In simpler language, Captain, they drafted me!
James T. Kirk They didn't.
This was your idea. This was your idea, wasn't it?
James T. Kirk Bones, there's a thing out there.
Why is any object we don't understand always called a thing?
James T. Kirk Headed this way. I need you. Damn it, Bones, I need you. Badly!
Spock, you haven't changed a bit. You're just as warm and sociable as ever.
Nor have you, doctor, as your continued predilection for irrelevancy demonstrates.
James T. Kirk Gentlemen. At last report, you were on Vulcan... apparently to stay.
Yes, you were undergoing the "Kolanear" discipline.
James T. Kirk Sit down.
If you are referring to the Kolinahr, Doctor, you are correct.
Captain, Voyager 6 disappeared into what they used to call a black hole.
James T. Kirk It must have emerged on the far side of the galaxy... and fell into the machine planet's gravitational field.
The machine inhabitants found it to be one of their own kind-- primitive, yet kindred. They discovered its simple 20th-century programming-- collect all data possible.
Learn all that is learnable. Return that information to its creator.
Precisely, Mr. Decker. The machines interpreted it literally. They build this entire vessel... so that Voyager could actually fulfill its programming.
James T. Kirk And on its journey back, it amassed so much knowledge... it achieved consciousness itself. It became a living thing.
V'Ger must evolve. Its knowledge has reached the limits of this universe, and it must evolve. What it requires of its god, Doctor, is the answer to its question -- Is there nothing more?
What more is there than the universe, Spock?
Other dimensions. Higher levels of being.
The existence of which cannot be proven logically. Therefore, V'Ger is incapable of believing in them.
James T. Kirk What V'Ger needs in order to evolve... is a human quality-- our capacity to leap beyond logic.
And joining with its creator might accomplish that.
You mean this machine wants to physically join with a human? Is that possible?
James T. Kirk Spock, did we just see the beginning of a new life-form?
Yes, Captain. We witnessed a birth. Possibly a next step in our evolution.
James T. Kirk I wonder.
Well, it's been a long time since I delivered a baby. And I hope we got this one off to a good start.
James T. Kirk I hope so too. I think we gave it the ability to create its own sense of purpose... out of our own human weaknesses... and the drive that compels us to overcome them.
And a lot of foolish human emotions. Right, Mr. Spock?
Quite true, Doctor. Unfortunately, It will have to deal with them as well.
MS Montgomery Scott
The crew haven't had near enough transition time with all the new equipment. And the engines—they're not even tested at warp power. And an untried captain.
James T. Kirk Two-and-a-half years as chief of Starfleet Operations may have made me a little stale, but I wouldn't exactly consider myself ... untried. (Scott looks to Kirk in surprise) They gave her back to me, Scotty.
MS Montgomery Scott
Gave her back sir? I doubt it were that easy with Nogura.
James T. Kirk (attempting a scottish accent)
Ye Right. (both men chuckle)
MS Montgomery Scott
Well any man who could manage such a feat I would nea dare disappoint...she'll launch on time Sir...and she'll be ready. (lays a fatherly hand on Kirks arm)
James T. Kirk All right, explanation. Why was my phaser order countermanded?
Sir, the Enterprise redesign increases phaser power by channeling it through the main engines. When they went into anti-matter imbalance, the phasers were automatically cut-off.
James T. Kirk (crestfallen)
Then you acted properly, of course.
Thank you, sir. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you.
James T. Kirk You saved the ship.
James T. Kirk (getting angry)
Stop...competing with me, Decker.
