What filmmaking techniques does Back to the Future use?

CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Back to the Future (1985): Chekhov's Gun, Ticking Clock Structure, Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy and Callback Editing.

Who directed Back to the Future?

Robert Zemeckis directed Back to the Future, released in 1985. CineCode also covers Romancing the Stone (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Death Becomes Her (1992), Forrest Gump (1994).

What films are similar to Back to the Future?

Films that share techniques with Back to the Future include The Big Lebowski (1998), Die Hard (1988), The African Queen (1951), Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

Adventure · Comedy · Science Fiction

Back to the Future

Robert Zemeckis, 1985

A teenager accidentally travels 30 years into the past. He has to make sure his parents meet for the first time and find a way home, all without erasing himself from existence. The plot is pretty much a perfectly built Rube Goldberg machine. Everything planted in Act 1 pays off in Act 3.

3 Narrative 1 Editing

At a glance

Back to the Future is a 1985 adventure, comedy and science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (3 narrative and 1 editing), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, The Big Lebowski uses several of the same techniques.

Narrative

Chekhov's Gun

Showing an object or detail early on that becomes important later. The idea is that nothing gets screen time unless the story is going to use it.

How this film uses it

Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's script is a masterclass in setup and payoff. The DeLorean, the clock tower, the 88mph requirement, the photograph and Marty's guitar playing are all introduced casually. Later, each one comes back as something the plot needs, so nothing is wasted.

Where to see it

The lightning-strike sequence. Every setup from the first hour pays off at the same time.

Narrative

Ticking Clock Structure

Building the story around a clear deadline the hero must beat. The time pressure and the obstacles grow with each scene until the climax.

How this film uses it

The lightning bolt that will power the time machine is due at an exact minute. Every delay and problem in the final sequence is measured against that clock. Zemeckis shows you each thing that goes wrong (the loose cable, the stalled car, the broken connection), so you count down with Marty.

Where to see it

The clock tower lightning sequence. The deadline gets closer with each thing Marty gets wrong.

Narrative

Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy

Dropping a character into a world whose social rules they don't understand. The comedy, and some insight too, comes from the constant mismatch between them and everyone around them.

How this film uses it

Marty keeps mentioning things from 1985, like Ronald Reagan as president, Pepsi Free and Darth Vader. People in 1955 either don't understand him or are shocked. The joke goes deeper than the awkward situation. It shows how much of who you are comes from the culture you grew up in, and how strange the recent past was.

Where to see it

Marty performing 'Johnny B. Goode' at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. This is 1985 crashing into 1955.

Editing

Callback Editing

Bringing back an earlier image, line, location or piece of staging later in the film, often with the situation reversed. You enjoy recognizing it, and the comparison adds meaning.

How this film uses it

The film keeps repeating things in pairs. You get the Twin Pines Mall at the start and the Lone Pine Mall at the end, Hill Valley's town square in both 1955 and 1985 and Marty's 2 times on stage. Each repeat rewards you for paying attention. You get that specific pleasure of spotting a pattern in a story.

Where to see it

Marty playing at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. It deliberately echoes his failed band audition at the start of the film.

Questions

Back to the Future: quick answers

What filmmaking techniques does Back to the Future use?: CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Back to the Future (1985): Chekhov's Gun, Ticking Clock Structure, Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy and Callback Editing.
Who directed Back to the Future?: Robert Zemeckis directed Back to the Future, released in 1985. CineCode also covers Romancing the Stone (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Back to the Future Part II (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Death Becomes Her (1992), Forrest Gump (1994).
What films are similar to Back to the Future?: Films that share techniques with Back to the Future include The Big Lebowski (1998), Die Hard (1988), The African Queen (1951), Top Gun: Maverick (2022).

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