Televangelism and Religion in Star Trek V and Licence to Kill

In June 1989, both Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and the James Bond film Licence to Kill were released in theatres within days of each other. This study analyzes how story elements in both films were directly inspired by recent televangelist scandals in the United States. The Star Trek film was also intended to have a deeper examination of the nature of God and the Devil. Nonetheless, both films were also intended to appeal to a mass audience. To that end, these films' explorations of religious issues were watered down to avoid offending Christian denominations or churches (though not necessarily those of other religions, such as the Otomi in Mexico). Ironically, the films’ neutered portrayals of religion may have made them less compelling than otherwise may have been the case.