British Academy Film Awards — 2 wins, 1 nominationAcademy Awards — 1 nominationKids' Choice Award — 1 nominationSaturn Award — 1 nominationAll 2 wins · 4 nominations on record
British Academy Film Awards: Best Special Visual Effects
Scholarship
Named in the title of 1 peer-reviewed work
Examples
Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Back to the Future Part II arrived in 1989 from Universal Pictures, riding the enormous goodwill of Robert Zemeckis's 1985 original into a darker, more ambitious sequel. Released at the height of blockbuster franchise filmmaking, it pushed the trilogy into 2015 and an alternate 1985, expanding the mythology of time travel while retaining the wit that made the first film a cultural touchstone. Its reputation has only grown, with fans returning to its predictions and paradoxes decades later, cementing it as an essential piece of science fiction cinema history.
This cell preserves Marty McFly and Jennifer Parker together, the central couple whose relationship anchors the emotional stakes of the entire saga. Marty remains the franchise's everyman hero, while Jennifer represents continuity and consequence, her presence tying directly into the film's exploration of altered futures. Pairing the two in a single frame speaks to their shared narrative thread, a reminder that this sequel is as much about their bond as it is about time itself. Collectors prize material featuring both leads together for that very reason.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Back to the Future Part II.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible tearing or deformation.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer text or key numbers clearly.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye image shows rich colour saturation with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or significant scratches are visible; the surface appears consistent with a projected release print.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be from the same continuous shot, consistent with a theatrical release print of Back to the Future Part II.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, colour dye image on a neutral safety base, and perforation style are all consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000064122
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
