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Back to the Future Part III

  • 1990
  • PG
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
501K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,375
260
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Mary Steenburgen in Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Trailer for Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy
Play trailer1:06
6 Videos
99+ Photos
Car ActionDesert AdventureHigh-Concept ComedySteampunkTeen AdventureTeen ComedyTime TravelAdventureComedySci-Fi

Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly learns about the death of Doc Brown in 1885 and must travel back in time to save him. With no fuel readily available for the DeLorean, the two must figure how t... Read allStranded in 1955, Marty McFly learns about the death of Doc Brown in 1885 and must travel back in time to save him. With no fuel readily available for the DeLorean, the two must figure how to escape the Old West before Emmett is murdered.Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly learns about the death of Doc Brown in 1885 and must travel back in time to save him. With no fuel readily available for the DeLorean, the two must figure how to escape the Old West before Emmett is murdered.

  • Director
    • Robert Zemeckis
  • Writers
    • Robert Zemeckis
    • Bob Gale
  • Stars
    • Michael J. Fox
    • Christopher Lloyd
    • Mary Steenburgen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    501K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,375
    260
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • Robert Zemeckis
      • Bob Gale
    • Stars
      • Michael J. Fox
      • Christopher Lloyd
      • Mary Steenburgen
    • 435User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos6

    Back to the Future: The Trilogy: 25th Anniversary Trilogy
    Trailer 1:06
    Back to the Future: The Trilogy: 25th Anniversary Trilogy
    Back to the Future: The Trilogy
    Trailer 0:58
    Back to the Future: The Trilogy
    Back to the Future: The Trilogy
    Trailer 0:58
    Back to the Future: The Trilogy
    Back to the Future Part III
    Trailer 0:56
    Back to the Future Part III
    Back To The Future Part III: Marty Lands In 1885
    Clip 2:14
    Back To The Future Part III: Marty Lands In 1885
    Back To The Future Part III: The Train Sequence
    Clip 1:03
    Back To The Future Part III: The Train Sequence
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4
    Video 2:42
    "Dates in Movie & TV History": July 4

    Photos328

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    Top cast56

    Edit
    Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox
    • Marty McFly…
    Christopher Lloyd
    Christopher Lloyd
    • Doctor Emmett Brown
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Clara Clayton
    Tom Wilson
    Tom Wilson
    • Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen
    • (as Thomas F. Wilson)
    • …
    Lea Thompson
    Lea Thompson
    • Maggie McFly…
    Elisabeth Shue
    Elisabeth Shue
    • Jennifer
    Matt Clark
    Matt Clark
    • Bartender
    Richard Dysart
    Richard Dysart
    • Barbwire Salesman
    Pat Buttram
    Pat Buttram
    • Saloon Old Timers
    Harry Carey Jr.
    Harry Carey Jr.
    • Saloon Old Timers
    Dub Taylor
    Dub Taylor
    • Saloon Old Timers
    James Tolkan
    James Tolkan
    • Marshal Strickland
    Marc McClure
    Marc McClure
    • Dave McFly
    Wendie Jo Sperber
    Wendie Jo Sperber
    • Linda McFly
    Jeffrey Weissman
    Jeffrey Weissman
    • George McFly
    Christopher Wynne
    • Buford Tannen's Gang…
    Sean Sullivan
    Sean Sullivan
    • Buford Tannen's Gang
    • (as Sean Gregory Sullivan)
    Mike Watson
    Mike Watson
    • Buford Tannen's Gang
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • Robert Zemeckis
      • Bob Gale
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews435

    7.5500.8K
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    Featured reviews

    Ben_Cheshire

    The most fun of the three.

    Part III, the wild west entry, is probably the most fun. The original has just such a fantastic premise that creates a sense of urgency about seeing it out till the end, but there is something uncomfortable about your mother having a crush on you that leaves a bad taste in the mouth during Part I. The premise of Part III is this: in 1955, Doc learns that he will eventually travel back to 1885 to live out his days as a blacksmith, but then Copernicus, Doc's 1955 dog, stumbles upon a gravestone that tells Doc and Marty that Doc will be shot to death by Buford Tannen over a matter of 80 dollars. Naturally, Marty says he will travel back to 1885 and get Doc and bring him back to the future with him (though it couldn't be 1955, because there's already one Doc there).

    There are time-jumping laws that are not obeyed by the scriptwriters here, and much worse than in the second film, but this one's so well concentrated and so much the better movie that they hardly matter. It has a climax involving a train that rivals the clocktower climax of the first one. A fantastic scene.

    Thomas F Wilson, the perennial bad guy of these movies, who started off as Biff Tannen in the original, played Griff Tannen in the second one, throws himself into a Yosemite Sam part as Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen in the third. Mary Steenbergen, in one of her few leading roles, is a nice addition to the cast. She fits right into the wild west world, as the dainty schoolteacher who plays "his beloved Clara" to the Doc.

    Like the others, its larger-than-life tone, with the over-blown time-travel dialogue and melodramatic highs and lows, render it into a kind of live-action cartoon. Kids will enjoy Part III the most, but it is so good-natured that adults should have fun with it too. Out of the three, this is the one that you'll be able to put on any time and feel good. Great, harmless fun.
    7ivo-cobra8

    Underrated and unappreciated third sequel an epic time travel adventure

    Underrated doesn't deserve the hate. Back to the Future Part III is so unappreciated. I keep hearing from people how bad this film is. Am I the only one who enjoyed this film? It is not a masterpiece like the first one is but it is a tied with the first one and it is a great sequel a great end to an excellent trilogy. Back to the Future is one of my all time favorite trilogy's of all time. I love the first film to death and it is a masterpiece and I love this (the third film) to death. Back to the Future Part III in my opinion it is tied with the first one and it is one of the best sequels of all time. It is my second favorite film in the trilogy in my opinion it is better than Part II I have enjoyed it more than Part II.

    Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd and Mary Steenburgen are excellent at acting I have enjoyed their performances. Robert Zemeckis writes and directs excellent this sequel. Alan Silvestri writes a beautiful score for third film which it was shot back to back with the second film. I Love the new score for this movie.

    Back to the Future Part III (1990)

    I love that this film was set in the Old West back in 1885. I love the rescue mission in which Marty goes back in time from the year 1955 back in to the past in to the Old West to save his best friend Doc Brown from getting killed by an outlaw Buford Tannen. I love western movies and Marty McFly was naming him self as Clint Eastwood in this film which it was brilliant. They even make similarity from A Fistful of Dollars (one of my all time favorite western films) in which Marty wears a boiler plate as a bullet proof vest in which Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) shoots Marty. This movie has comedy, adventure, action, bank robbery, train robbery, gun fights, fist fights and one explosion. Great acting from the actors, great direction and great writing, great score. This movie shows group of Indians, followed closely by Cavalry men who are chasing them. Doc saves Marty just before he would be hang by Buford and his men.

    I did like that the film was more focusing on Doc and Marty the characters that we care about. Rather then Loraine and Biff like Part II did. The movie wasn't dark like the second was. I love how Doc and Marty pushes the DeLorean along the spur line, on the tracks attempting to get it up to 88 miles per hour. DeLorean then reaches 88mph and disappears...with the locomotive barreling over the side of the ravine, and exploding in a huge fireball, brilliant and well done special effect. I love that the movie does not messes with the first two movies and it is an original film I appreciate that.

    It is Rated PG for language, sensuality and violence. It is a perfect film from the 90's that I have grew up with it. It is my second favorite film in the trilogy I love, love this film to death and doesn't deserve the hate. 10/10 Score: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval a perfect score for me.
    10OrigiN

    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!
    8bowmanblue

    Great end to the trilogy

    I know it's hard for any sequel to live up to the original. Yes, the first 'Back to the Future' film is definitely the best, but - come on - as far as sequels go, 'Parts II & III' are still pretty impressive. I know they may not have the same 'original feel' to them, but they at least to a fantastic job of expanding the original concept/mythology and growing the much-loved characters we met in the first outing.

    I doubt there are many people who will decide to watch 'Part III' of a trilogy first, so my advice is watch them all in order. Then you can experience the full magic of watching a young high school student (Marty McFly - played perfectly by Michael J Fox) get caught up in with his friend 'Doc Brown's' (played by the only person seemingly capable of upstaging Michael J Fox here - Christopher Lloyd) exploits with a time-travelling DeLorean car

    There's a brief recap at the beginning of the film as to how our heroes have become stuck in the past and now they have to go further back to the Wild West in order to get home - don't worry, if that sounds confusing - it all makes sense if you've watched all three.

    What you have here is a movie that feels totally at home in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, but this time is set among cowboys and spittoons. It delights in poking fun of the time period and genre, plus gives us familiar faces/enemies in the form of series antagonist 'Biff Tannen's' long lost grandfather as a murderous outlaw - naturally hell-bent on causing all sorts of problems for our heroes. Plus we even have a love interest for Doc - which does add a new dimension to the story. Normally if a new character is introduced so late it feels a bit jarring - I'm glad to say that here the insertion of 'Clara Clayton' feels organic and a necessity to the overall story.

    You may not love it as much as the first, you may also consider this (or the second) to be the 'weakest' in the series, but even if that's true - it's still fantastic family entertainment. There are few films that can be considered 'timeless' (especially those made today), but the 'Back to the Future' trilogy can still be enjoyed by the whole family and holds up as it ever did (even if it did fail to predict what 2015 would look like and many of us are still waiting for hover boards and Nike self-lacing trainers!).

    'Rick and Morty' may be cool, but they'll never be as well-loved as those they are spoofing. Long may the 'Back to the Future' trilogy never be remade/rebooted/whatever. 'Part III' may only be an 8/10, but overall the series will always remain a 'perfect 10.'
    8oOoBarracuda

    No one's future is written for them

    Sitting back to watch the final, for now, entry in the Back to the Future trilogy, I was a little disheartened. I had a lot of fun with this series, and was sad not to be traveling through the dimensions of time with Marty and Doc Brown for the last time. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and of course, I can always rent the DVD, or perhaps even add any of them to my own collection. Back to the Future Part III, didn't simply "phone it in" for its' final act, it provided a complete compilation to its time travel exploits.

    This story picks up where the second left off; with Marty (Michael J. Fox) acting on a letter he received from Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). At the conclusion of Back to the Future Part II, the DeLorean is struck by lightning, with Doc inside, and he is transported all the way back to 1885, in the old west. Since Doc had always dreamed of living in the Wild West, he was not severely disappointed to be stuck in the 1800's, and he certainly was stuck because it would be 70 or so years before the replacement parts he needed to repair the DeLorean would exist. He writes Marty a letter explaining to him what he is up to and that he is fine and should be left in 1885. Soon after receiving the letter, however, Marty uncovers that Doc Brown is about to die. Unwilling to leave him to that fate, Marty ignores all risks, intent on traveling to 1885, to find Doc Brown. This would prove impossible without a trip back to 1955, to get some help from the Doc Brown of the past. Marty's crash landing in 1885 creates quite a conundrum, however, as a fuel line breaks causing all of the gas to leak out of the DeLorean. Doc reminds him that gas hasn't been invented yet, and they will have to be innovative to find a way to power the DeLorean to the necessary 88 M.P.H. needed to travel through time. After devising a plan to power the DeLorean by locomotive power, a new distraction, of a feminine nature arrives. A Ms. Clara Clayton greets Doc Brown, and he is instantly smitten by her. Doc even vows to stay in the past with Clara after helping Marty fix the DeLorean. Our Heroes situation is made even more difficult because Marty, in typical McFly fashion refuses to be called "chicken", or "yellow" in 1885 terms. After an altercation with Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), Marty gains the attention of the gun that he discovered was to kill Doc. In the final installment of Robert Zemeckis beloved time traveling adventure, out duo is outrunning a gun, deciding between love and fate, and learning that the words of others should only ever be words rather than a reflection of ourselves; a pleasing finale to the Back to the Future series.

    Once again, the brilliant on-screen chemistry of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd bring Back to the Future Part III to life. Years working together on the same franchise were nothing to dilute the pair's on-screen chemistry. Still as engaging as ever, it was pure joy to watch Marty and Doc on screen again, one last time. This film also kept the heart in to the movie. Each entry in this trilogy has heart at the center, no pun intended. It was endearing to see our zany Doc Brown fall in love, even if he did wish to pick his new love over traveling with Marty.

    I would recommend Back to the Future Part III to almost anyone. Rated PG, it is appropriate and engaging for all ages. Fans of the trilogy have to see it, as it wraps up all of our favorite's story lines. Anyone who believes in the power of love, time, and destiny will feel empowered by the message. I'm not sure what type of viewer Couldn't find something to appreciate about Back to the Future Part III, and to me, that's exactly how a franchise should end; pleasing the one time viewer and the series fanatic alike.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When filming the scene where Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen tries to lynch Marty, Michael J. Fox was accidentally hanged, rendering him unconscious for a short time. He records this in his autobiography "Lucky Man" (2002).
    • Goofs
      Black bears do not live in the desert or the scrub lands. They are found in wooded areas, grasslands, mountains or where moisture is found, along with edible vegetation and other food sources.
    • Quotes

      Jennifer Parker: Dr. Brown, I brought this note back from the future and - now it's erased.

      Doc: Of course it's erased!

      Jennifer Parker: But what does that mean?

      Doc: It means your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one, both of you.

      Marty McFly: [Marty wraps his arm around Jennifer] We will, Doc.

    • Crazy credits
      The film opens with all four versions of the Universal Pictures company bumper.
    • Alternate versions
      The original 2002 DVDs for parts II and III had major framing errors when the wrong areas of the open-matte frame were transferred (known as the "framing fiasco"). This is noticeable for several minutes in each movie and usually manifests as too much sky and missing objects at the bottom. Universal had replacements ready by 2003. A sample from part III is the fuel injection manifold exploding out of the car, which is supposed to be visible. Copies with a "V2" next to the copyright notice on the disc (on replacements only; in trilogy sets a "V2" is on the II disc), the 2009 single-disc reprint, and the 25th anniversary sets are OK.
    • Connections
      Edited from Back to the Future (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Doubleback
      Written and Performed by ZZ Top

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

      Available on Warner Bros. Records

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    FAQ38

    • How long is Back to the Future Part III?Powered by Alexa
    • When they realize that a single arrow has taken the Deloreon out of action, why don't they make a change to the DeLorean stashed in the old mine. And make a guard or something that will protect the gas line from ever being damaged? Or send another Western Union to 1955, with instructions for Marty to bring a spare full hose, and a 5gal jug of gas with him, when he travels back to 1885?
    • Is there going to be a BACK TO THE FUTURE - PART IV?
    • Why does Marty take the hoverboard to 1885?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 25, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Volver al futuro III
    • Filming locations
      • Sierra Railroad, Jamestown, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • U-Drive Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $40,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $88,277,583
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,089,645
      • May 27, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $245,077,583
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo

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