We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy

Having been a fan of author Caseen Gaines' previous books showcasing the worlds of Pee-Wee's Playhouse and A Christmas Story, I was highly anticipating his latest opus, a book dedicated to the world of the Back to the Future trilogy! I have been a huge fan of this sci-fi film series since 1986 when my Mom originally recorded Back to the Future off HBO. Constant viewings of that VHS tape were then followed by seeing Part II in the theater in 1989 and then Part III in 1990 (twice I might add!). The "next best thing" for me came in the Fall of 1991 with the arrival of a Back to the Future Saturday Morning cartoon on CBS and the word of a new Back to the Future: The Ride attraction at Universal Studios Florida. Heading into the future (literally) for the next 24 years I had the experience of enjoying Back to the Future on DVD with a slew of newly produced bonus features, throwing Back to the Future themed parties, witnessing the newly restored hi-def BluRay of the trilogy, and even attending a local car and celebrity show honoring the 30th Anniversary of the film!This book written by a man who like me, first saw the film at a fairly young age encapsulates many facts and points that I had already known, but actually dug deeper into territory that I merely knew just as a passing piece of information dropped by a fellow movie fan or as a one-line piece of information seen on the Internet Movie Database. This book gives fans of the film information beyond just the films themselves. Caseen talks in great detail about the "film BEFORE the film" offering fans a chance to read about the film making process when Eric Stoltz was part of the cast along with the original Jennifer Parker casting choice, Melora Hardin (The Office) who I never knew was the original actress prior to Claudia Wells! Finding out just what original script ideas were for the sequel including the idea of setting the film in the 60s instead of 2015. Just what exactly happened between Crispin Glover and the Bobs? Who got injured during the Hoverboard sequence?The book is much more than any kind of "how'd they do this?" "how'd they accomplish that?" Q & A type of experience, it's an opportunity for fans of BTTF to sit down for a while and have an entirely unknown and unheard of world of secrets that couldn't even be told in the original 1990 special 'The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy'! Plus, the book comes with a series of photos many of which have never been seen! I won't delve into too much (I did everything I could NOT to look at them first before reading the pages that led up to them!) but you'll get a chance to see rare behind the scenes photos as well as some close up shots of Jeffrey Weissman who played George McFly in Part II!The book is not meant to be a complete fact-by-fact scene-for-scene commentary on all three films, but it does encapsulate a great wealth of information on the entire trilogy as well as some fun facts about the Back to the Future animated series, the ride, the videogame, the Secret Cinema showings, the release of the Nike MAG sneakers, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the various reunions to commemorate the original film's anniversaries! Caseen's book is as much of a love letter to Back to the Future as his book for A Christmas Story was. It touches upon the story of the making of the film, it's creators, it's controversies, it's legacy, and it's staying power in the lexicon of film.This book couldn't have come at a better time; the year when Back to the Future celebrates its 30th Anniversary. A time where fans around the world are still driving their DeLoreans proudly, keeping their Flux Capacitors fluxing, anticipating the first ever DVD release of Back to the Future the Animated Series, meeting cast members and crew of the films at various conventions throughout the world, and of course, wondering if a real Hoverboard will ever see the light of day!Good job Caseen Gaines! "See you in the future!"

As one of many big fans of the  Back to the Future: The Complete Adventures - Limited Edition  , I knew I had to get this book and read all about the behind the scene situations in relation to this series of movies. Its a quick read for the most part surprisingly with it going in chronological order in the history of how things happened during the making of and filming of each of the movies of the iconic trilogy.The author went through various interviews, research sessions and data collecting to get every bit of information he could on all the subjects that are related to the trilogy. The technology, the actors, the movie studio (Universal), the Delorean, Hoverboards and all the people who were involved with its creation. (Most notably Director, Robert Zemekis and writer, Bob Gale.)And it does a good job of trying to fill in those little extras that are mentioned in commentaries and are just well known by now by fans of the now over 30 year series that started way back in 1985 as a script that no studio wanted any part of.The book is very heavily focused on the first film of the series that started it all, Back to the Future. With Part II getting less focus and Part III almost nothing at all. That is probably the biggest problem with the book itself. Also a bit of a problem is, there really isn't that much to talk about in relation to the series of films and the related that isn't already well known, especially with the sequels. The first movie is so iconic and everything that went behind the scenes in relation to it is actually quite interesting. But again any true Back to the Future fan should know most of these stories.For instance how Eric Stoltz was the original Marty McFly and only later did Michael J. Fox (MJF) become available to do the movie, even after filming started. And the book focuses a lot on the situation involving the replacement of said actor. As that probably is the biggest story line of the first movie, as how many movies start filming weeks in and decide they don't like the lead actor and have to replace him and do it all over again? And it really delves into everything in relation to the first movie. A lot of MJF facts without actually getting much from MJF himself which was odd. The book seemed very Lea Thompson quote filled but not much with the star himself. But at least you do get your fill of stories and knowledge when it comes to the movie that started it all. You will definitely feel like you have taken a trip from the start of the movie's creation to its conclusion. Focusing on the stars, vehicles, people behind the camera, how the movie did, the effect it had, the filming of. Everything is there and in great details.But when we get to Part II and beyond it becomes more brief and choppy. The book will focus on Back to the Future Part II in the later part of it, and the main focus, (as again any true fan of the trilogy should know) is the fact that Crispin Glover, who played George McFly from the first movie wouldn't come back due to a disagreement between he and the powers that be. (The actual reason still in dispute with both parties blaming the other over why he didn't come back even after this books tries to delve into it) As well as the bitterness of Jefferey Weissman who played the part of George in the movies as a replacement and his role being heavily reduced due to their trying to cover up the fact that its not Crispin Glover. And of course a lot on the hoverboard focus and how they did those effects using 1989 limitations (including an injury with a stuntwoman during one of the hoverboard scenes).As the book comes to an end they throw in a quick chapter on Back to the Future Part III and it doesn't really focus around much. It has mentions of Mary Steenburgen and talks about the marketing behind not just the third movie but all the movies, which was odd to be talking about suddenly instead of the third movie itself. But that's really it. I was actually quite disappointed as we learn so much about the first movie and get some interesting information in relation to the second but then the third movie is like the forgotten child that we have to be nice to and make mentions of but not really delve into it as if there was nothing important to say on it.So that's why this book is far from the most informative and must have book when in relation to the movie. You learn more about things from the bonus discs of the film itself and the commentary then you do here with a lot of the interesting facts in relation to the trilogy. The first movie he probably goes on for a bit too much talking about details that didn't matter then he gets to the other films and he doesn't give it that same in depth focus that one would like after reading all we did about the first movie as we are going through the book.But what this book will do well is teach those who are either new to the trilogy or not the die hard fans who know all about the little details that this book talks about and will be learning about for the first time as they read it. This came off great for that purpose. I again wish he focused more on the sequels, cartoon series, ride and video game then he does here. He makes mentions of all but it seemed like as the book went on he talked less and less about things in the same great detail as when he started.Still was a worthwhile read and a nice attempt to get it all into one book. But its far from the most complete or informative book that could have and should have been made here. This is heavy.(I would give it 3 1/2 out of 5 if we could do half stars here as its close but not quite there as it should have been.)

When this book popped up on my "recommended products" list I was super excited! Back to the Future has ALWAYS been one of my favorite movies/trilogy's of all time and I couldn't wait to jump at the chance to learn more about it. The fact that Gaines (Author) was able to get insight from everyone in the films history (or close to it) is amazing in itself and a testament to the impact that film has that everyone involved was willing to participate! The book delves deep into the creative process of the original and fills us in (FINALLY) as to why Eric Stoltz was removed from the role of Marty. Honestly, I can not imagine this movie being made with anyone other that Fox and I believe it would have been soon forgotten had that occurred. NOTHING against Stoltz as an actor! But as with "the Bob's" he just wasn't right for the part.There is tons of information by everyone from Robert Zemeckis (director) to Harry Waters Jr. (Marvin Berry). Like I said, you can't get more in depth that this! I could go on, but honestly, if you're interested in the BTTF trilogy (and obviously you are if you're reading this) then don't hesitate, order this book and read it!Final Verdict: A MUST read for any fan of the trilogy!

Il miglior libro sulla trilogia, in assoluto. Comprende interviste originali al regista, agli autori e al cast.

El mejor libro que he leído sobre la trilogía de Regreso al futuro, con anécdotas de los rodajes, entrevistas jugosas y algún que otro cotilleo. Lo recomiendo.

Good detail, do not read before seeing trilogy.

if you're not a fan of the Back To The Future movies, shame on you. If you are a fan of one of the most entertaining trilogies of our time, then you will love this book. Well written, with inside stories from cast and crew. The book flows really well, it is not your typical "Did you know that..."movie facts and trivia book. You can see the author put in a lot of research and spent some painstaking hours lining up interviews with various sources. Very in-depth chapters, from the humble beginnings that started as a seed of an idea, the development of characters, to casting the movies, to the sequels, all the way to the end of the final scene of the 3rd instalment. Many interviews and interesting points of view here, you'll be delighted at the recounting of some of your favourite scenes from different people involved in the film. Excellent insight on all the great special effects, which were cutting edge for their time. I just finished it, and I'm about to start reading it again, as there is so much delightful information to soak in. This book is as entertaining as the movies themselves.

I am so sad, because I've finished the book! Now what!? I am a huge BTTF fan and have a wealth of knowledge under my future belt. But now I have even more trivia knowledge to impress people with thanks to this book. I couldn't put this down and even when I had to put it down, I was itching to dive back in whenever I could. This really is a MUST for BTTF fans worldwide. A wonderful, detailed insight into how this classic, amazingly brilliant (I did warn you how much I love it) film trilogy came into being. The background into everything and everyone involved, the trivia, the arguments (Yes, I mean you Crispin!), the anecdotes and more. So don't be a BUTTHEAD! Buy it!!