Behind the Camera on 'Back to the Future' (45 Photos)

Rehearsals with Michael J. Fox, hoverboards on wires, and a rare look at the sets of Hill Valley. Here are 45 behind-the-scenes photos spanning all three films—straight from the trilogy's official archives.





Hill Valley, 2015: cameras and lighting rigs surround the cast on set.



A miniature railway set up in front of an Industrial Light & Magic camera lens.

Part I — 1985

The original film was shot on the Universal soundstages and location sets around Los Angeles. Michael J. Fox pulled double duty, filming the sitcom Family Ties by day and playing Marty McFly by night.





Screenwriters Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.



Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox in front of a blue screen.



Discussing a scene before another take.



Michael J. Fox wearing glasses between takes.



Rehearsing alongside the time machine.



Doc's workshop before rolling the camera.



Michael J. Fox playing guitar between takes.



Michael J. Fox with the film crew.



Setting up the lightning strike scene.



Robert Zemeckis on set during the family dinner scene.



Night shoot featuring the DeLorean.



The crew gathered around equipment on set.



Getting up close with Michael J. Fox.



Recording the score: the orchestra performs in front of footage from the film.

Part II — 1989

For the sequel, the familiar town square was transformed into Hill Valley, 2015. During the family dinner scene, Fox played multiple McFly family members simultaneously. The VistaGlide camera system made it possible to blend them into a single moving shot by repeating identical camera moves while the actor changed costumes and roles.



Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd before a take.



Christopher Lloyd checking his script inside the DeLorean.



Tracking shot on dolly tracks through the futuristic set.



Prepping Doc for a scene inside the time machine.



Christopher Lloyd with the dog playing Einstein.



The crew assembled on the town square set.



A miniature DeLorean in the visual effects workshop.



Rigging wire harnesses for the hoverboard water scene.



Setting up the McFly home dinner scene.



Stunt performers suspended on wires for the hoverboard chase.



Camera crew setting up for a night shoot.



Setting up a take with Doc and Marty.



The time machine hovering above the street: a view from the set.



Costume and makeup prep for scenes set in 2015.

Part III — 1990

Hill Valley circa 1885 was built from scratch near Sonora, California. Locomotive scenes featured Sierra No. 3, while the drive-in theater was constructed in Monument Valley. Rock band ZZ Top made a cameo appearance as the town festival musicians.



Instrument controls inside the locomotive time machine from the film's climax.



Camera equipment lined up on the streets of 1885 Hill Valley.



Camera crew filming inside the saloon.



Christopher Lloyd and Mary Steenburgen during the train scene shoot.



Cast members in Old West costumes between takes.



Setting up the train sequence for filming.



Filming at the drive-in movie theater set in Monument Valley.



ZZ Top dressed in period costumes as 1885 musicians.



Behind the courthouse façade: the structural scaffolding of the set.



Prepping for a scene along the railroad tracks.



The crew working alongside the steam locomotive.



The DeLorean mounted on a camera rig.



Part III crew gathered at the drive-in set.



Filming the locomotive crash for the climax.



Doc and Clara in front of a blue screen.

Photos: Universal Pictures/ Amblin Entertainment, official BacktotheFuture.com archive.