Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Enjoying a peaceable existence in 1885, Doctor Emmet Brown is about to be killed by Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen. Marty McFly travels back in time to save his friend.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

Robert Zemeckis (characters), Bob Gale (characters),

Stars:

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen

4 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael J. Fox	...	Marty McFly / Seamus McFly
Christopher Lloyd	...	Dr. Emmett Brown
Mary Steenburgen	...	Clara Clayton
Thomas F. Wilson	...	Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen / Biff Tannen
Lea Thompson	...	Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly
Elisabeth Shue	...	Jennifer Parker
Matt Clark	...	Chester the Bartender
Richard Dysart	...	Barbwire Salesman
Pat Buttram	...	Saloon Old-Timer
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Saloon Old=Timer
Dub Taylor	...	Saloon Old-Timer
James Tolkan	...	Marshal James Strickland
Marc McClure	...	Dave McFly
Wendie Jo Sperber	...	Linda McFly
Jeffrey Weissman	...	George McFly

Storyline

Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly receives written word from his friend, Doctor Emmett Brown, as to where can be found the DeLorean time machine. However, an unfortunate discovery prompts Marty to go to his friend's aid. Using the time machine, Marty travels to the old west where his friend has run afoul of a gang of thugs and has fallen in love with a local schoolteacher. Using the technology from the time, Marty and Emmett devise one last chance to send the two of them back to the future.

---

Plot Keywords:

time machine | teacher | dog | outlaw | band | 

---

Taglines:

They've saved the best trip for last... But this time they may have gone too far.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi | Western

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Back to the Future...The Website Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Volver al futuro III

Filming Locations:

161 N. Magnolia Avenue, Monrovia, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$87,666,629 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, U-Drive Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

ZZ Top:  One of the film's composing bands have a cameo as the band in 1885, playing a variation of "Doubleback".

---

Goofs

Towards the end When Marty questions the people in the bar by saying," What...what if I don't go out there?" On Marty's right, a film light on a stand is clearly visible sitting in front of the window.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Marty McFly: Doc! Doc! Doc!
Doc: [not paying attention] What?
Marty McFly: Doc!
Doc: What?
Marty McFly: Doc!
Doc: [finally seeing him] Aaaah!
Marty McFly: Okay, relax, Doc, it's me! It's me! It's Marty!
Doc: No, it can't be! I just sent you back to the future!
Marty McFly: Oh, I know you did send me back to the future. But I'm back! I'm back from the future.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

The film opens with all four versions of the Universal Pictures company bumper.

---

Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Business Guy (2009)

---

Soundtracks

"Battle Cry of Freedom"
(uncredited)

User Reviews

The Perfect Finale to a Wonderful Trilogy

As a loyal fan of the Back to the Future phenomenon, I long awaited a chance to publish my take on the series. It may be a bit surprising to some that I would choose to write my comments in the section specific to the last movie which has been considered to be the worst film of the trilogy.

For many years, in consideration of this one trilogy which served to inspire and excite me as to possibilities of the motion picture industry, I would look with a disappointment on BTTF Part Three, believing it to be an unwelcome, unexciting film which ended the legacy.

However, recently it came upon me to purchase the trilogy on VHS and re-experience it, as I had once did, though now from a more balanced perspective. I watched the first two Back to the Future movies avoided the third in the fear of being once again disappointed. Utter disappointment is no longer the feeling I can use to describe my take of the movie.

Back to the Future 3 is a well-written, well-directed, well-balanced piece. With an incredible musical score, brilliant acting and excellent composition, the movie reminded me that Back to the Future was never about action. It was truly about the characters we came to know and love in the first movie. It was a return to the basics, the friendship between Marty and Doc and how each was thrown through time to change not only the future of Hill Valley, but also their own lives and their future choices.

Robert Zemeckis' (the writer) decision to send the two friends back to 1885, in their final adventure, was brilliant. Imagery like the "famous Hill Valley courthouse under construction" and the "steam engine train wheeling up to the rear of the futuristic Delorean" was unforgettable. For example, the dancing at the Courthouse welcoming festivities contrasted with the action-laden scene (in BTTF2) between Griff and Marty at the same place just a century and a half later.

All in all, Back to the Future Part Three was a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. To anyone who despises this film, I recommend another full watching. There are so many details which are kudos out to fans of the previous two movies. The movie successfully slowed the pace of the other two movies (in preparation for conclusion) without losing the loyalty of true fans. It captured the essence of what brought these fans to Back to the Future in the first place.

If you haven't seen it, rent and enjoy :) If you have seen it and wasn't particularly pleased, I beg another viewing.

L8r!