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, a rare sequel that expanded its predecessor's mythology rather than simply repeating it. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it sent Marty McFly and Doc Brown across three timelines, from 2015 back to 1955 and into a darkened alternate 1985. It remains a benchmark of high concept studio filmmaking, prized for its intricate plotting and the way it folded the original film's events back into its own narrative.
This cell centers on the DeLorean itself, the modified time machine that stands as the franchise's defining icon, more recognizable to many audiences than any single actor. Collectors seek out DeLorean cells because the car functions as the true protagonist of the series, the vehicle for every era jump and plot turn across the trilogy. A 35mm cell bearing this subject preserves a piece of the vehicle's screen presence, a tangible fragment from a production built around its mechanical star.
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 frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, with what appears to be a second narrower track adjacent, consistent with a dual variable-area stereo optical arrangement; Dolby Digital pixel blocks are not clearly distinguishable at this size, nor is a DTS timecode stripe.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote characters reliably.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly cool; the dye image reads as a dark, low-key scene with no obvious red shift or significant fading.
Projection history
Light vertical scratching is visible running through the frame area, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive colour 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 dual variable-area optical soundtrack, neutral polyester-type base tint, and positive colour print format are all consistent with a late-1980s Universal theatrical release print of the period.
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 000064162
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
