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, the rare sequel released in the same era of blockbuster mania that had made the original a defining hit of the decade. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and reuniting Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, it pushed the franchise into 2015, hoverboards, and alternate timelines, expanding a beloved story into something stranger and more ambitious while still trading on the same central partnership audiences already loved.
This cell brings together Marty McFly and Jennifer Parker, the anchor couple whose relationship threads through the trilogy's shifting timelines. Jennifer's presence marks her as more than a bystander, since Part II gives her an active role in the plot once the future intrudes on her ordinary life with Marty. Collectors prize material featuring the two together for that reason, since scenes pairing them speak directly to the emotional throughline binding the science fiction spectacle to something recognizably human and grounded.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Back to the Future Part II (1989).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punching appears clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track analog stripe.
Edge print
Partial text readable along one edge reads 'EA 15' followed by additional numerals; full sequence not fully legible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base shows a slight blue-cyan tint consistent with a color print stock; dye image appears warm and well-saturated with no visible fading.
Projection history
Light longitudinal scratching is visible along the base surface, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive color image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a theatrical release print of Back to the Future Part II.
Era check
The single variable-area optical track, color print stock with cyan base tint, and edge coding style are all consistent with a 1989–early 1990s theatrical release print era.
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 000064145
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
