Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future (1985) Viewing Guide

Section 1 – The Set-Up

 Meet characters  Get a feel for who they are  Establish the “double goal” structure

1) How is Doc characterized? a. What does he look like?

b. How does he act?

c. What does he believe?

2) How is Marty characterized? a. What does he look like?

b. How does he act? c. What does he believe?

What is the “double goal” scenario that is established?

Section 2 – Complicating Action

 Action goes in a new direction  New situation that the protagonist must cope with

What are the big issues that Marty must now deal with?

Section 3 – Development

 Goals are all in place  Many incidents that create action, suspense, and delay

We see what Marty must do to get home. What, though, stands in his way?

Section 4 – Climax and Epilogue

 Straight forward progress toward a resolution  Build steadily toward a point of high action  Will protagonist’s goals be achieved or not?  Nothing new should be introduced

What is the “high point” of action?

Does he achieve his goals?

Is Doc the same at the end of the movie as he was at the beginning? If not, is his change reasonably explained?

Is Marty the same at the end of the movie as he was at the beginning? If not, is his change reasonably explained? ADVANCED WORK (Optional for us mere mortals)

3) Dialogue Hooks and Dangling Causes How they are Resolved / Paralleled

A) Brown Mansion Destroyed (newspaper) B) Plutonium stolen (TV newscast) C) Libyan terrorists blamed (TV newscast) D) Radioactive case under Doc’s bed E) Marty likes loud music (amp) F) Twin Pine Mall at 1:15 am (phone) G) Pulled by cars on skateboard H) View of campaign poster on van I) Father was a slacker when he was in HS J) “No McFly ever amounted to anything” K) “History is going to change” L) Re-Elect Goldi Wilson (van announcement) M) “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish…” N) “Save the clock tower” / pamphlet O) Mom never did “that kind of stuff” in HS P) 30 years ago lightning struck that tower / doesn’t work Q) Jennifer gives grandma’s phone number R) Biff needing his repots S) “Say hi to your mom for me” (Biff) T) Uncle Joey didn’t make parole U) Mom met father by grandpa hitting him with car V) “Enchantment Under the Sea” Dance W) Dance during a horrible thunderstorm X) Marty brings video camera to mall meeting Y) Old Man Peabody owned all of this Z) Crazy idea about breeding pine trees AA) Requires something with a little more kick (plutonium) AB) Need 1.21 giggawatts to power it AC) Don’t you lose those tapes – we’ll need those for the record AD) I almost forgot the plutonium. How do I expect to get back? AE) Passenger seat – suit, walkman, video camera AF) Ronald Reagan in movie

Motif of Time

 Opening with all of the clocks  Late for school  30 years ago the clock stopped  Time machine  First car he sees in 1955  Arrives in November 5, 1955  

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       Motif of Red   Backpack  Beer truck outside of soda shop  Nike shoes  Sidewalk paint  Amplifier labeled with red  Movie marquee lettering  Phone bell in Doc’s house  Gas station  Guitar strap  Mayor in 1955 – Red Thomas  Judge’s sweater  Biff’s shirt in soda shop  Bull horn   Drum set   Gym wall – red stripe   Biff’s shirt   Down vest (at mall)   Old Man Peabody’s robe  