Back to the Future Trilogy [Blu-ray]: Amazon.co.uk: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson, Robert Zemeckis: Film & TV

Amazon.co.uk Review

Superlatives and the Back To The Future trilogy are rarely far apart. With good reason, too. Here’s as complete a science fiction trilogy that you’re ever likely to see, one unsullied by unnecessary extra sequels, and instead standing proud as a genuinely terrific trio of films.

The highlight? You have to hand that to the first film, one of the most perfectly complete blockbuster movies of the past few decades. Brilliantly constructed and exceptionally executed, it’s exciting, funny, imaginative and stands up extremely well to repeated viewings.

But then so do the second and third films in the Back To The Future trilogy, too. The second is arguably the most disjointed, but then it has the most narrative work to do. Picking up directly after the first movie, it covers a heck of a lot of ground, and, in spite of one or two problems, it’s nonetheless a compelling movie in its own right. The third, meanwhile, is an underrated delight, that tails the trilogy with exceptional style.

Accompanying the films is a collection of extras that genuinely dig a bit deeper, and most notably include the infamous test footage of Eric Stoltz in the role of Marty McFly, before he was replaced by Michael J Fox five weeks into production.

Crucially, though, the Back To The Future trilogy has never looked better. And bundled with a package of supplements that offer terrific added value, this is a must-buy Blu-ray collection. --Jon Foster

DVD Description

Experience the Back To The Future Trilogy like never before for the first time on Blu-ray with over 2 hours of new bonus features.

Back to the Future
From the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes Back to the Future, the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies in Hollywood history. When teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), he finds himself mixed up in a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future—and leave him trapped in the past. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time. Runtime--116mins

Back to the Future Part II
Getting back was only the beginning as the most spectacular time-travel adventure ever continues in Back to the Future Part II—the sequel that proves that lightning can strike twice! Picking up precisely where they left off, Marty and Doc (Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd) launch themselves to the year 2015 to fine-tune the future and inadvertently disrupt the space-time continuum. Now, their only chance to fix the present is by going back to 1955 again before it’s too late. From Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future Part II provides more of the timeless excitement that made Back to the Future an unforgettable adventure. Runtime--108mins

Back to the Future Part III
They've saved the biggest trip for last as the most popular time-traveling movie trilogy ever comes to a rousing conclusion in Back to the Future Part III. Stranded in 1955 after a freak accident, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) discovers he must travel back to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) before he becomes smitten with schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen). Now, it's up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running, and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where—and when—they belong. From the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future Part III is a spectacular grand finale to the unforgettable blockbuster series. Runtime--118mins

Special Features:

* Denotes new footage debuting on the 25th Anniversary Trilogy Blu-ray

Tales from the Future: New six-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Director Robert Zemeckis, Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton, plus Executive Producer Steven Spielberg.*
- In the Beginning . . .: Delve into the genesis of the project, casting, re-casting, the DeLorean, sets and overall pre-production.
- Time to Go: Production stories through the release of the first film.
- Keeping Time: The score and the songs of the Back to the Future Trilogy.
- Time Flies: Learn more about how the sequel came about, the futuristic look, the special and visual effects, recreating 1955 and more.
- Third Time’s the Charm: Learn about building a western town, Doc Brown’s love story, the casting of Mary Steenburgen, the train sequence and completing the Trilogy.
- The Test of Time: Back to the Future becomes a phenomenon! President Reagan quotes the film, the Back to the Future ride opens at Universal Studios theme park and fans rebuild the iconic DeLorean. The film’s cast and crew take a look back and discuss why these beloved movies live on.
The Physics of Back To The Future: A discussion with celebrity best-selling author and physicist Dr. Michio Kaku about the overall appreciation of the science in the Back to the Future Trilogy*
Nuclear Test Site Ending Storyboard Sequence: Storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending of the film.*
16 Deleted Scenes
Michael J. Fox Q&A
Q&A Commentaries with Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale
Feature Commentaries with Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Archival Featurettes o Making the Trilogy: Chapters One, Two & Three: Original 2002 DVD documentary that takes a look back in time.
- The Making Of Back to the Future Part I, II & III: Provides a vintage and historic look at the making of all three films.
- The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy: a televised special hosted by Kirk Cameron addressing fans unanswered Back to the Future questions.
- Back to the Future Night: Hosted by Leslie Nielson, this original 30-minute special aired on NBC prior to the first television screening of the Back to the Future.
Behind-the-Scenes o Outtakes o Original Makeup Tests o Production Design
- Storyboarding
- Designing the DeLorean
- Designing Time Travel
- Hoverboard Test
- Designing Hill Valley
- Designing the Campaign
Back to the Future: The Ride
Music Videos:
- Huey Lewis and the News “Power of Love”
- ZZ Top “DoubleBack”
Photo Galleries, Including Production Art, Additional Storyboards, Photographs, Marketing Materials and Character Portraits
Theatrical Trailers

INTERACTIVE BLU-RAYTM BONUS FEATURES *

U-CONTROL: Universal’s exclusive feature allows viewers to learn more about their favorite film without ever leaving the movie.
- Setups & Payoffs: As you watch each of the three films, each “set up” showcases items in the scene that prepare you for a future plot point. When you get to that moment in the film, the “payoff” is shown.
- Storyboard Comparison: Compare key scenes in the movie with the original storyboards.
- Trivia Track: Get inside trivia and facts while you watch the movies.
BD-LIVETM: Access the BD-LiveTM Centre through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more!
- My Scenes: Bookmark your favourite scenes from the movies.
pocket BLU™: Universal’s groundbreaking pocket BLU app uses iPhone®, iPod® touch, iPad®, Blackberry®, Android™, Windows and Macintosh computers and more to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-rayTM player and offers advanced features such as: o Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease.
- Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in their favorite episode.
- Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
- Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
- Keyboard: Enter data into a Blu-ray™ player with your device’s easy and intuitive keyboard.

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

This is heavy... 27 Oct 2010

By eggybread

Format:Blu-ray

Of all the 100+ blu rays I own, this has to be the best. Amazing picture quality, fantastic extras, plus the limited edition posters etc are a nice touch.

Everyone knows the films so no point in reviewing them. But just to add, they look amazing in HD. You'll see finer points that you missed in the older versions, the colours are so intense.

In the first film Doc says he wants to go 25 years forward in time to see the progress of mankind... well this is as good as it gets :)

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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful

One Of The Best Transfers I've Ever Seen To Blu Ray...And With Properly Great Extras Too... 30 Dec 2010

By Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

*** A REVIEW OF THE 2010 BLU RAY REISSUE OF THE "BACK TO THE FUTURE" TRILOGY ***

There's little prepares you for the quality of the print on this Blu Ray reissue - it's absolutely gobsmacking. I've seen great restorations before ("Goldfinger", "North By Northwest", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "The African Queen", "The Italian Job". "To Kill A Mockingbird" - see reviews for them all) - but this is exemplary.

The full run of extras is dealt with in detail in Amazon's thorough description above, but it's worth highlighting that among the superb new extras is Michael J Fox not afraid to show his present-day medical condition in the 6-part making-of that is spread across the whole set. There are contributions from almost all of the cast, Director Robert Zemeckis, Producer Steven Spielberg etc - and great on-set footage too. It's also been pitched at a reasonable price. In short, this is properly good value for money for 3 hugely entertaining films that don't seem to have dated at all.

I can only add to the chorus of approval for this - a fantastic presentation.

Onwards and upwards to the "Indiana Jones" Trilogy and the remaining Bond films (which were all Lowry Digital Restorations and look as awesome as this)...

VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition 1.85:1
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, German DTS Surround 5.1, Turkish 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 Master Mono
SUBTITLES: English SDH, German, Japanese, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Portuguese, Swedish and Turkish

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46 of 53 people found the following review helpful

Limited Collector's Edition tin review 20 Oct 2010

By badblokebob

You likely don't need to be told how wonderful the Back to the Future trilogy is (I know some people aren't so keen on the second and/or third, but personally, I love all three to bits), and it'll take more qualified eyes & ears than mine to really tell you about the Blu-ray (though to me it looks and sounds great, and other reviews have been very positive on this aspect). I also haven't had a chance to dig into the special features properly, but (as best I can tell) all the excellent content from the first DVD release is here, plus an extensive new documentary. Super.

So what's the point of me reviewing it? Well, this is why I'm posting this on the Limited Edition Collector's Tin and not the regular BD release. The DVD Description lists some of what's included but not all, so here's my attempt to be more thorough. Should you wish to discover all the goodies for yourself, stop reading now. If you'd like to know what you're getting for your extra cash, read on...

The tin itself is nice enough -- taller than a Blu-ray but not quite DVD size -- with a rather shiny front, though the rest of it is just a plain purple (a card slip has the blurb, etc.) Inside are all the goodies as listed:

A little OUTATIME number plate (complete with packaging that notes "This item is not a toy, for adult collector's only"!) It's both neat and, of course, entirely useless. The lenticular photo of Marty's family is even nicer: tilt it correctly and the characters fade out one by one. Naturally it's still something-and-nothing, but as lenticular cards go it's one of the most effective I've seen. There's also a glossy reproduction of the photo from Part 3 of Marty and Doc Brown by the clock face, which is disappointing low-res -- it looks like it's been captured from the film itself.

Next are four reprints of prop newspaper front pages, two alternate versions of the Hill Valley Telegraph from November 7, 1955, and two alternate versions of USA Today from October 22, 2015. What these allow you to see is how much -- or, in some cases, little -- effort went into creating the actual articles on the page: the headlines and pictures may vary, but the news stories are just copied-and-pasted from goodness-knows-where. I'm sure no one in the props department ever imagined fans would have a chance to read this 25 years later! The Sports Almanac, meanwhile, is labelled "extract" and contains 8 pages of baseball stats, presumably the pages that were actually produced as a prop for the film. Like most of the rest of this stuff, it's nice but you're not exactly going to read it.

There are two double-sided A2 posters. As per the picture, the painting of Marty and the "Back to the" & "Future" numberplate ones are back-to-back, and the original release and 25th anniversary re-release posters are back-to-back. The blueprint of the Delorean is also A2, with hand-scrawled text that is just about legible. There are also two sets of art cards, 11 in total, printed on nice heavy card. One set is of hoverboard designs, the other of Delorean art, including a labelled diagram of what all Doc Brown's additions actually are.

Finally, the Blu-rays themselves are in a digipack that includes a 4-page booklet which simply lists the special features. (Sadly the booklet has a few slight inaccuracies -- for example, it says Part 2 has a music video, which it doesn't, but fails to mention the theatrical trailer it does include. Nothing major, then, just an oddity.)

Whether or not this set is worth the extra money over the regular release is obviously down to the individual buyer. To some this will just be a load of pointless junk, to others it's a treasure-trove of memorabilia. I can't imagine much more that Universal could have come up with to include -- for those of us who like a little bit of extra 'stuff' with our DVD box sets, it's bang on the money.

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