Synopsis (Trilogy)

Back to the Future (1985) In the first installment of the trilogy, Marty McFly, a typical American teenager of the ’80s, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a «flux-capacitor» powered DeLorean invented by the slightly mad scientist, Dr. Emmett Brown. During his often hysterical, always amazing trip back in time, Marty must make certain his teenage parents-to-be meet and fall in love, so he can get back to the future.

Back to the Future Part II (1989) The second film picks up immediately where the first one left off. Marty and Dr. Brown travel to the future (2015) to prevent Marty’s future son from making a mistake that would ruin the McFly family’s reputation. However, things go awry when an elderly Biff Tannen steals the DeLorean to give his younger self a sports almanac, thereby enabling him to amass a fortune through gambling. Marty and Doc must return to 1955 to fix the timeline.

Back to the Future Part III (1990) In the final chapter of the trilogy, Marty travels back to 1885 to rescue Dr. Brown, who has become stranded in the Wild West, Marty must protect the Doc from a premature death at the hands of Buford «Mad Dog» Tannen, Biff’s great-grandfather, while also facing the dilemma of how to return to 1985. Love blossoms when Doc falls for Clara Clayton, a schoolteacher, complicating their return to the future.

Throughout the trilogy, the consistent themes of time travel, the effects of altering history, and the adventures that ensue from the DeLorean’s journeys create a compelling narrative that blends science fiction with elements of comedy and drama. The series not only explores different eras, giving a nostalgic nod to the 1950s, a futuristic view of 2015, and a rough-and-tumble glance at the Old West but also delves into the personal growth of its characters as they navigate the complexities of time travel and the impact of their actions across different timelines. The trilogy culminates in a satisfying conclusion that resolves the arcs of both Marty and Doc, emphasizing themes of friendship, love, and the importance of making good choices.

Trivia

• Original Cast: Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly, and several scenes were filmed with him before the producers decided that Michael J. Fox, who had always been their preferred choice for the role, was truly more suitable. Despite Fox’s busy schedule with his work on the TV series «Family Ties,» the producers managed to strike a deal that allowed him to film the movie simultaneously.
• The Flux Capacitor: The «flux capacitor,» which makes time travel possible in the DeLorean, became one of the most iconic artifacts in science fiction. Its unique design and the phrase «this is what makes time travel possible» have been ingrained in popular culture.
• Title Change: At one point, the studio wanted to change the title of the movie to «Spaceman from Pluto,» based on a misunderstanding of the plot that considered Marty to be an alien. Fortunately, Steven Spielberg intervened to ensure the original title was kept.
• Technical Innovations: For the scenes where Michael J. Fox interacts with his younger self, innovative split-screen techniques and doubles in filming were used, some of which were quite advanced for their time..
• Musical Cameo: The rock band Huey Lewis and the News, which contributed two songs to the movie’s soundtrack, including the hit «The Power of Love,» made a cameo in the film. Huey Lewis appears as the stern judge at the music audition who rejects Marty’s band.