Summary
-
Return to the future
It’s packed with hidden references to classic films, showcasing director Robert Zemeckis’ passion and knowledge of cinema. - The theme of the West
Back to the future part III
features iconic Western actors in a fun bar scene, adding depth to the film. - The first film includes clever nods to films like
Safety comes first!
and
2001: A Space Odyssey
showing the attention to detail by the creators.
He Return to the future The films are packed with references to films of the past. In the 1980s, some viewers might have picked up on these details, but today, most viewers would probably overlook them and consider them outdated. These can be things seen in the background, props, parts of the story, actors, and easter eggs. The creators of the franchise really made every creative decision with careful consideration and meaning behind it.
The first film was released in 1985 and was a huge success with audiences and critics, becoming a reference both in 1980s films and in the entire science fiction genre. The references mentioned span films from the 1920s to the 1980s, further demonstrating director Robert Zemeckis’ passion for cinema and his knowledge and appreciation of its history.
10 Fun and Heartwarming Sci-Fi Movies Like Back to the Future
While Back to the Future was one of the most unique and enduring science fiction films, several other films captured its comforting energy and style.
10 Western Actors
Three veteran western actors appear in a bar scene
Back to the future part III This is arguably the funniest film in the trilogy, as it follows a Western theme. It follows Marty, who ends up stranded in the Wild West of 1885. A scene in a bar in the film makes reference to veteran Western actors. In the scene, we see three men named Levi, Zeke, and Jeb sitting together at a table in the back of the bar that Marty McFly is in. Watching the film without knowing who they are, audiences would quickly overlook this detail, but in fact these actors are icons of the Western genre.
The actors featured are Dub Taylor, Harry Carey Jr. and Pat B. These actors are known for films such as Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The search engines (1956), and Wild in the countryside (1961) It’s great fun to see actors like these, who normally limit themselves to the western genre, venture out and have fun in other films, even if they are science fiction.
9. The “Safety First!” clock
A reference to the 1920 film, Safety First!
Near
At the beginning of the first Return to the future In this movie, we see a variety of different clocks, appropriately enough. This was one of many great scenes and opportunities for director Robert Zemeckis to include references and easter eggs that tell us what will happen later in the movie and show appreciation for the movies of the past that inspired him in the creation of this one. All of this comes together in a perfect scene that perfectly captures the overall theme of the movies: time.
On one clock in particular, we can see a small cutout of a man hanging from one of the hands. This is actually Harold Lloyd from the 1923 film Safety comes first! The silent film tells the story of a store clerk, Harold, who organizes a climbing contest on a tall building and climbs it himself, where he ends up hanging from a clock. This is mentioned later in the film, when Doc hangs himself from the clock in the town square.
8 Kit Kat clocks
A staple of 1950s kitchens
Kit Kat clocks may or may not be something that has already been seen in previous films or catalogues. In the first scene, where several clocks are shown, we can see a Kit Kat clock. This animated cat-shaped clock could be a reference to the 1950s, when Marty McFly ends up traveling back in time to his parents’ house.
7 Journey to the stars
“Darth Vader of the planet Vulcan”
In a particularly hilarious scene from the first Return to the future In the film, we see Marty McFly wearing a yellow hazmat suit and carrying a hairdryer, wake up and scare the younger version of his father, George McFly. Marty claims he is Darth Vader, an obvious reference to most fans. Star Warsand also that he’s from the planet Vulcan. He’s there to get George to agree to take his mother, Lorraine, to the school dance that weekend.
The planet Vulcan is a reference to Star TrekMarty used things from the 80s that he knew, because people from the 50s wouldn’t have heard of them before. He also playfully plays a Van Halen tape to wake himself up.
6 The time travelers
A billboard advertisement for Mr. Foster
Zemeckis and the movie’s creators really took every opportunity to honor films of the past by referencing them in many areas of the film, even if the audience only sees them briefly. They have the creative mindset to say: if there needs to be some kind of text or advertisements on the background sets, why not use them to add bits of sci-fi film history here and there?
The 1964 film Time travelers, directed by Ib Melchior, tells a similar story of experimentation with time warps and the future. Like the beginning of Return to the futureThis film also begins with images of various types of clocks. This reference made by the director is reinforced by a sign that can be seen in the town square. On it you can read: “Time to travel? Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service.” The reference here is in the text ‘Mr. Foster’. The main actor in The Time Travelers is called Preston Foster.
5 2001: A Space Odyssey
CRM 114
2001: A Space Odyssey It is an early reference in Return to the future And it’s so easy to miss. In this iconic scene where we first meet Marty McFly, played by the amazing Michael J. Fox, he plugs his guitar into Doc’s amp and is blown away by the speakers. For a split second, we see a small red label above the plug that says “CRM 114.”
Stanley Kubrick’s incredible science fiction classic, 2001: A Space OdysseyIt was released in 1968. CRM 114 was the serial number of the Jupiter Explorer in the film. A space odyssey It changed science fiction forever and still impressively stands the test of time, making it a great reference to include in the film.
4 Again and again
November 5, 10:15 am
Another movie referenced in hidden numbers in a Return to the future The scene is And againReleased in 1979 and directed by Nicholas Meyer, this film also includes time travel elements. It tells the story of the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, who steals a time machine to escape the 19th century.
The reference here is the date Doc sets on the time machine with Marty. He sets it for November 5th at 10:15 am, which is the same time set by H.G. Wells, the writer and main character of And againThis is a very appropriate reference.
3 The time machine
A familiar sound is heard as Marty enters Doc’s lab.
Another reference that takes place at the beginning of the film comes from the 1960 film The time MachineDirected by George Pal. We can catch this reference when Marty enters Doc’s lab.
Instead of creating a reference in the form of a set, an actor or a prop, it comes from the music. In the scene you can hear the rapid sound of piano keys. This is the same background music that you hear in The time MachineThis is another example of how the creative team took into account every element and the smallest detail.
2 Mr. Peabody and Sherman
The WABAC machine
There are multiple references to the 1960s animated show, The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show. This clever cartoon features Sherman and Peabody, who are late-night television talk show hosts who bring in special guests from events throughout history using Mr. Peabody’s time machine, called the WABAC Machine.
The time machine in Return to the future It’s the DeLorean, created from a reconditioned DeLorean DMC, which they use to travel both into the past and the future. This was inspired by the WABAC machine. Another reference to the cartoon is that there are two characters in the film called Peabody and Sherman, which is of course a very direct reference.
1 The unknown dimension
The Hill Valley Telegraph references the classic science fiction show
Another reference that is quite hidden and easy to miss is on the front page of a newspaper in Return to the futureThis comes from an episode of The twilight zone called “Serving Man” from 1962. This can be seen on the cover of the Hill Valley Telegraph on November 3, 1955. One story you can see is titled “State Backs Tax Scalping in Creek County,” which appeared in the The twilight zone episode under the title “The Kanamits Offer Peace and Prosperity.”
Even the smallest of details, like this one in Return to the futureIt shows the passion of a creative team for the story and for what they do. It’s a step beyond a mere love of cinema and science fiction, something to really appreciate.
Back to the Future PGAdventureComedyFamilyScience Fiction Where to watch
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Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age and must intervene to ensure they end up together before he returns to 1985.
Director Robert Zemeckis Release date July 3, 1985 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Screenwriters Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Duration 116 minutes Main genre Science fiction Expand