Back in Time

source: Back in Time

Excellent documentary about "Back to the Future". I guess if you're really into the franchise, you probably know everything that was presented here, but for the uninitiated who have a slightly-more-than-passing interest, with a touch of nostalgia (as myself), this documentary is a wonderful journey... It has it's flaws (pointed out by many die-hards, e.g. overemphasis of the DeLorean), but this is wonderful introduction to the legacy of BTTF for those not indoctrinated. This documentary presented many facts about the film that I was unaware of... I didn't know that the script had changed radically, nor that many scenes had been shot by the time Marty McFly was recast -- I knew subconsciously about the recast, but not about its extent. I really enjoyed the section at the end where people connected with BTTF positied the way they would use time travel if it were suddenly available to them... There were a lot of truly dedicated and insightful people involved in producing this film, and it shows in that final segment.

I was excited to see this as I loved Back to the Future, which is the movie of the 80s, and I was hoping to even see Crispin Glover reveal all. But it was mainly DeLorean, DeLorean, and DeLorean. Yes, it played a significant role in the trilogy,and in many ways the center piece. But I really was hoping more in-depth interviews in this documentary. I would have given the documentary 9 if it was more balanced, but not to be. I would have loved to see the myth about the Super Bowl prediction debunked here, but not to be. Anyway, maybe there can be sequel to Back in Time to resolve this.

I loved this! It was fun to see all of the behind-the-scenes things and to see the restoration of the Delorean. I am a fan of the movies and loved watching them growing up as a kid. Now as a thirty year old I have an all new appreciation for the movies and this documentary really brought those things to light! It is interesting to me the amount of work they had to do in the original movie to shoot the hover board scenes, something that would be relatively easy with computer technology these days! I was satisfied as a fan with revisiting the movies with the creators and actors and seeing what they are up to now. I also liked how much they talked about the fans and gave us a shout out for always giving continuous support to these movies even thirty years after they were made!

When this documentary came out (right around 10/21/2015, the date corresponding to when Marty explores his future in BTTF2), it was kind of touted as THE documentary to watch for BTTF fans. If you go into the experience with those kind of expectations, you will probably be disappointed, as that never seems to be the goal here. Instead, to really get the most out of the experience, you have to just sit back and relax, enjoying the fun little moments along the way. What could have (and almost should have, to be honest) destroyed this documentary is the fact that it severely lacks any sense of focus. It meanders here and there, trying to cram in as many BTTF angles as possible. It wants to seriously evaluate the legacy of the film, and does a number of interviews with key cast/crew/writers...but then it also follows around a Delorean rider for awhile...and looks at some BTTF fan events...and takes time to ponder the overall significance of the film's legacies. There are a lot of irons in the fire, to put it mildly, and usually that is a recipe for documentary disaster. Where "Back In Time" is able to pull through, however, is that many of those "odd little moments" are truly special and touching. For example... -An interview with Donald Fullilove, who played Goldie Wilson in the first movie. Just seeing him again will bring a smile to your face! The same for James Tolkan (Mr. Strickland). -A scene in which a man proposes to his girlfriend at a BTTF showing...then is serenaded with "Earth Angel" by none other than Harry Waters Jr. himself. -A couple who restored an old Delorean and are now using it to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation (the disease that currently afflicts Michael J. Fox). Moments like that are why "Back In Time" is worth watching. It was never supposed to be a "comprehensive review" of the films, even if it seemed to be advertised as such. Instead, it's more of a peek into a few of the ways that the film trilogy has touched and inspired the lives of others. Much like Star Wars (though not at quite that level, obviously), Back To The Future has becoming a cultural institution all its own. The films are watched, re-watched, and then passed on to the next generation to do the same. Even though we are now further into the future than Marty McFly himself actually traveled, it hasn't dulled their value whatsoever. "Back In Time" acknowledges of all that...and then takes "the back roads" in a search for unique and interesting ways in which the films have taken on a life of their own. As such, once you realize what this documentary is/isn't supposed to be, you'll probably be able to enjoy it.

The movie was nice. But back in 2015 I assume even the producers of this home video heard about Wikipedia. And they probably took some of the data right from there. Only there is nothing new. Apart from the footage with the fans with customized cars. Which makes quite a few families interested in this movie. And that is about it. Uninteresting. Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

I was able to view this mostly documentary film on Netflix streaming. It was made to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the movie BTTF, and also the 30 years into the future from 1985 that is represented in BTTF 2. It includes interviews with most of the principals involved, actors, writers, producers, etc, notably missing Crispin Glover who abandoned the franchise shortly after BTTF. Bob and Bob (Gale and Zemeckis) share stories of how inspiration first came for BTTF (seeing an old yearbook showing his dad was class president and wondering what his dad was really like) and how many stops they needed to make to have a studio agree to the project. It is funny, Disney wouldn't touch it because it had a mild "incest theme", when Marty's mother falls for him as a teen in 1955. The film also features many of the BTTF fringe groups that have sprung up, the many owners of deLorean cars and their restorations, etc. There is a good discussion of why Stoltz was removed and replaced by Fox for the Marty role and the re-filming issues that created. I am a big fan of the BTTF movies, always have been, and while this documentary film isn't great it does offer many new insights into the BTTF lore. I enjoyed spending the 90 minutes viewing this. Lea Thompson is still a doll!

This has been a long anticipated work which took nearly three years from start to finish.The documentary is very well laid out and has a smooth flow throughout. You could not have assembled a better cast of characters including all the big names yet not leaving out the people most important to the film. These are the fans! It's very interesting to see many of the stars as they look today thirty years after the first film was released. You can tell an enormous amount of leg work and thought went into the process and the results show it. The visuals and sounds were extremely clear and entertaining. It's a film for all ages and will definite motivate and perpetuate the love far into the future!

Okay, yes I'm getting pretty sick of all the BTTF hoopla going on since last week; but still managed to watch this documentary off Netflix over the weekend. This movie interviews the film's stars, director Robert Zemeckis, writer/producer Bob Gale, the countless fans of the movies, and those who were inspired by the movie, such as the creator of TV's "The Goldbergs"! LOL I will say the first act of the movie, which goes into the history behind BTTF, I was surprised to find was more the dull part of the film. I think it was for me having known most of this already, but the second act which is taken over by the fans, is really where the movie hits it's mark. I had no idea there was this fandemonium thing going on with BTTF like there is w/ "Star Wars", "Star Trek", etc.. Including countless DMC's converted to time machines! But I will definitely say this doc is worth a watch, even if you're getting sick of all the BTTF stuff going on like I am- maybe good closure..?? LOL