Back to the Future (1985) is the first film in the Back to the Future film series. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film blends elements of science fiction and comedy. The screenplay was written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, with Bob Gale and Neil Canton as producers and Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Kathleen Kennedy as executive producers. The film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson in leading roles.

_{(A scene from Back to the Future (1985), Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown - Back To the Future Official Website)}

The film's music was composed by Alan Silvestri, cinematography was handled by Dean Cundey, and editing was done by Arthur Schmidt and Harry Keramidas. Special effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and the technical aspects of the film were meticulously designed. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was released in the United States on July 3, 1985.

Plot

The film follows high school student Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back to 1955 in a time machine invented by Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown. While in the past, Marty unintentionally interferes with his parents' first meeting, threatening his own existence. To secure his future, he must ensure that his parents fall in love. At the same time, he collaborates with the younger version of Doc Brown in 1955 to find a sufficient power source to return to his own time.

The story is set in the fictional town of Hill Valley. In 1985, Marty lives an ordinary teenage life until he gets caught in an experiment where Doc Brown tests his time machine, built into a DeLorean DMC-12 sports car. During the test, Libyan terrorists attack, and Marty unintentionally activates the time machine, traveling back to 1955. There, he meets his younger father, George McFly, and accidentally becomes the romantic interest of his mother, Lorraine Baines McFly. Realizing that his parents must fall in love for his own future existence, Marty tries to bring them together. Meanwhile, he must harness the energy of an upcoming lightning strike in 1955 to power the DeLorean and return to 1985.

_{(A scene from Back to the Future (1985), Marty McFly, Lorraine Baines McFly and George McFly - Back To the Future Official Website)}

Production Process

The screenplay was written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale in 1980. After completion, several Hollywood studios rejected the project, but Universal Pictures eventually accepted it. The production process faced multiple challenges, including casting issues. Eric Stoltz was initially chosen for the lead role, but after five weeks of filming, he was replaced because his performance did not align with the directors' vision.

Despite his demanding schedule on the TV show "Family Ties", Michael J. Fox was cast as Marty McFly, and his scenes were filmed primarily at night. The DeLorean DMC-12 was specially modified for its role as a time machine, with the "Flux Capacitor", a device invented by Doc Brown, being a key component of time travel in the film. The special effects, created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), utilized advanced techniques for the era, including the famous flaming tire tracks left behind by the DeLorean during time travel.

Cast and Characters

• Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly
• Christopher Lloyd – Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown
• Lea Thompson – Lorraine Baines McFly
• Crispin Glover – George McFly
• Thomas F. Wilson – Biff Tannen
• Claudia Wells – Jennifer Parker
• James Tolkan – Mr. Strickland
• Marc McClure – Dave McFly
• Wendie Jo Sperber – Linda McFly

Filming Locations and Technical Details

Most of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California, at various locations. The fictional town of Hill Valley was constructed on the Universal Studios backlot, and Whittier High School was used as Hill Valley High School. The "Enchantment Under the Sea" Dance scene was filmed at the First United Methodist Church in Hollywood.

Cinematographer Dean Cundey used different lighting techniques to distinguish the atmospheres of 1955 and 1985. The film was shot with Panavision Panaflex cameras, color-graded by Technicolor, and featured Dolby Stereo sound.

Music

The score was composed by Alan Silvestri, and the main theme became closely associated with the film. The soundtrack also includes Huey Lewis and the News songs "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time". Huey Lewis himself made a cameo appearance in the film as a music competition judge who rejects Marty’s band.

_{(A scene from Back to the Future (1985), Marty McFly - Back To the Future Official Website)}

Box Office Success and Awards

Released on July 3, 1985, the film achieved massive box office success. It earned $14.95 million during its opening weekend and grossed $215 million in total in the United States, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Globally, it earned $388 million, becoming one of Universal Pictures' biggest successes at the time.

At the 1986 Academy Awards, Back to the Future won an Oscar for Best Sound Editing and received nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, and Best Original Song ("The Power of Love"). The film also received nominations and awards from the BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Hugo Awards.