Back To the Future is a 1985 science-fiction adventure film directed by Robert Zemeckis and co-written by Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale. According to reports, it was one of Steven Spielberg’s favourites and the acclaimed auteur had produced it in parts and was involved in its production.
It stars the 80’s heartthrob Michael J. Fox amongst Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover. Such a distinguished cast along with one of the best science fiction romantic comedy stories made Back To The Future not only amongst the most popular films of the 1980s but the highest-grossing film of 1985 worldwide!
Back To The Future Plot Summary
Back to the Future deals with the teenager, Marty, who accidentally travels from 1985 to 1955. Amidst his new surroundings, Marty searches for his friend and eccentric scientist, Emmett Brown also called “Doc” in an effort to go back to 1985. However, a problem arises – Plutonium, the main fuel to the time travel machine – is not available in 1955! Caught in an unwanted year, he gets entangled with his young parents, leading to a change in the course of history, threatening Marty’s very existence.
What is Marty’s plan?
On realising that his unwanted appearance in the year 1985 has initiated a disastrous reciprocal effect where he might get completely obliterated, he begins a mission to bring both his parents together. He devises a plan with George to make George appear as a hero in front of Lorraine on the night of the school dance, who otherwise is disinterested in him.
On the night of the school dance, Marty parks the car to initiate his plan where he is supposed to “take advantage” of Lorraine, knowing how his mother is a conservative individual, allowing George to save her.
However, just like many children are unaware of their parent’s lives before them becoming parents, Lorraine acts completely different from what he anticipated. Meanwhile, Biff forcefully tears Marty away from the car and proceeds to assault Lorraine. George appears at the scene and is terrified at seeing Biff instead of Marty. But he tries to stand his ground. Biff shakes Lorraine off, resulting in her falling to the ground. This event leads to a transformation in George as he gathers all his strength to punch Biff, knocking him out completely.
How is Marty saved?
After the events in the parking lot, the lead guitarist is hurt and the band refuses to perform. On realising that his parents need to kiss to ensure his survival, he takes on the reigns to keep the school dance going. Meanwhile, George’s unfound confidence has burnt its fuel and he seems to be back to his meek self as Lorraine is taken away by one of the boys at the dance.
At the same time, Marty is disappearing into thin air. Suddenly, George regains his confidence, this time permanently, as George and Lorraine share their first kiss. The objective is fulfilled, and Marty is finally saved.
How does Marty go back to 1985?
After ensuring his safety, Marty goes to meet Doc near the clock tower. He tries to tell Doc about his impending doom but to no avail. Instead, Marty writes a letter to him relating the course of events in the future where Doc is shot by terrorists. But Doc tears the letter as the wire disconnects from the clock tower. Doc climbs up to the clock tower to fix the wire.
As Marty tries to tell him about the future, the clock climes and thus, Doc is unable to hear him. Marty finally sits in the car and fixes the time to 10 minutes earlier so that he can warn Doc in 1984. As Doc fixes one end of the wire, the other comes off. He descends through the wire and connects it, as the lightning strikes sending Marty to the future.
How did Doc survive?
Marty returns to 1984 and the time machine breaks down. He sees the terrorist van pass him by and runs to meet Doc at the mall… but in vain. The terrorists shoot Doc as Marty watches his past self leave for 1955. He rushes to Doc to find him alive. Confused, he sees Doc wearing a bulletproof vest and asks, “How did you know?”. Doc shows him the letter Marty wrote to him, all patched up with tape.
How does Marty’s future change?
The next day, Marty wakes up in his new life. His siblings and parents are completely different. His mother doesn’t drink and his father is a confident and successful science-fiction author. Biff has taken a full one eighty-degree turn and now works for George, polishing the car. Marty has the car of his dreams and as Marty is catching up with Jennifer, Doc arrives and takes Marty and Jennifer to the future, siting issues with their children, initiating the beginning of Back to The Future II!