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 blockbuster sequel that dared to be stranger and darker than its predecessor. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and reuniting Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, it pushed the time travel premise into 2015, an alternate 1985, and a return to 1955, layering paradoxes upon paradoxes. It remains a touchstone of high concept studio filmmaking, prized for its intricate plotting and its faith that audiences would follow a sequel built almost entirely on consequence and recursion.
This cell centers on Marty McFly and Doc Brown, the two figures whose partnership carries the entire trilogy. Collectors seek their pairing above nearly any other image from the series, since it represents the core relationship of mentor and reluctant time traveler that defines the story's stakes. A cell bearing both names together, rather than a single character study, suggests a shared scene, the kind of frame studios once used for promotional or reference purposes, preserving a moment when the two are meant to be read as a unit, side by side in the narrative.
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 holes appear clean and regularly shaped with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area.
Edge print
Edge print reads mirrored as 'M3 28 68 62' along the lower edge; upper edge shows partial code reading '3 1 3' or similar.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight warm-neutral tint; dye image shows rich, saturated colour with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
Horizontal abrasion lines are visible in the soundtrack area consistent with projection; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot matching the film on record.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, saturated Eastmancolor-style dye image, and safety base stock are all consistent with a 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 000064211
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
