Universal City, California, June 27, 2002 - It's a blast from the past, present and future this holiday season as Universal Studios Home Video releases the Back to the Future Trilogy on DVD for the very first time on December 17, 2002 for $39.95 MAP.  An absolute must-have for any collection, the three-disc boxed set contains Back to the Future, Back to the Future II and Back to the Future III  with  newly re-mastered audio soundtracks and is fully loaded with an array of never-before-seen bonus features.  Pre-order close is October 29.  In addition, the VHS boxed set is priced at $24.95 MAP with an order close date of November 12.

Befitting the prestige of its DVD debut, the Back to the Future Trilogy features exclusive new interviews conducted this year with actor Michael J. Fox, director Robert Zemeckis, screenwriter Bob Gale and producer Neil Canton, as well as newly discovered deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, a featurette on the making of the films with interviews of the cast and crew, a live audio commentary session conducted at the USC Film School, a Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Disease Foundation PSA, and other bonus materials associated with each of the three films. 

One of the most successful cinematic franchises created, with over $418 million in combined domestic boxoffice grosses, the Back to the Future films -- all executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy, produced by Neil Canton, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale -- broke the mold of traditional adventure-comedy films and left an indelible mark on popular culture that still resonates among a huge fan base. The spectacular success of the original 1985 Back to the Future, which won the Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing and was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound and Best Song (“Power of Love”), catapulted the film careers of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson. 

The impact of the first film inevitably led to the futuristic 1989 Back to the Future II, featuring early roles in the then-budding careers of actors Elizabeth Shue, Billy Zane, Jason Scott Lee, and Elijah Wood; and the 1990 Back to the Future III, featuring Oscar-winning actress Mary Steenburgen and set in the Old West with an innovative mixture of sci-fi, western and romantic elements added to the familiar comedic adventure theme.

Universal Studios Home Video is launching the Back to the Future DVD debut with an event level marketing campaign that will drive sales of this favorite.   The multi-million dollar advertising campaign consists of national TV spots on top rated shows on network and cable stations including ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, USA, Comedy Central, TNT/TBS and E!, targeted print advertising in consumer magazines and gift guides, a targeted spot radio campaign and extensive internet exposure via the newly created video dedicated website www.bttfmovie.com.  On moratorium since 1994, Back to the Future is being released at the height of the busy holiday shopping season.

Millions of consumer impressions, first launched in January 2002 with a Back to the Future trailer playing on the Super Bowl jumbotron, continues via cross-promotional trailering on the home video/DVD releases of How High, A Beautiful Mind and Big Fat Liar.

Universal Studios Home Video is also providing retailers with eye-catching point-of-purchase Back to the Future themed merchandisers in 24, 48, and 96 sizes that will reinforce the main icons from the movie including, Marty, Doc Brown and the DeLorean time traveling car. 

The magic and wonder of the entire Back to the Future trilogy films is explored in the three disc set that includes over 10 hours of all-new, never-before-seen bonus materials.  Presented in a holographic foil embossed pack that communicates the fun, exciting, fast-paced breakthrough adventure-comedy of the films, the collection is sure to please the most demanding fan.  Trilogy bonus features include the Universal Animated Anecdotes, in which consumers can watch the feature film and simultaneously learn over 150 fun facts, including trivia and hilarious bloopers; Storyboards to Final Feature Comparison will allow viewers to experience the filmmaking process through storyboards and compare storyboards to the final feature sequence.  In addition, the unique DVD-ROM destination, Universal Studios Total Axess, will provide viewers the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, original scripts, and participate in fan mail and sweepstakes. 

Presented by filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg, directed by Oscar© winner Robert Zemeckis, and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre.  Now, this unprecedented Back to the Future DVD trilogy immerses you in all the breathtaking action, groundbreaking comedy and sheer movie-making magic of one of the most brilliantly inventive, wildly entertaining motion picture triumphs of Hollywood history.

Back to the Future: The year is 1985 – but not for long.  Because teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is about to be blasted back to 1955 aboard the plutonium-powered DeLorean created by eccentric genius Doc Emmet Brown (Christopher Lloyd).  But when Marty accidentally keeps his parents-to-be (Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson) from falling in love, it triggers a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future – and leave him trapped in the past!  Now marty’s last hope is to change history before the clock runs out on his only chance to get himself "Back to the Future."

Back to the Future II: Marty and Doc have barely recovered from their first time-traveling adventure when they launch themselves once more into the space-time continuum.  But this time around, their attempt to fine tune the future in the year 2015 creates an outlandish, alternate Hill Valley where bully Biff Tannen is rich, powerful and …Marty’s dad!  Now, their only chance to fix the present is by going back to 1955 all over again.  But can Doc and Marty patch up the past without igniting a universe-shredding time paradox?

Back to the Future III: Fulfilling a long-time fantasy, Doc Brown has decided to live in the Old West of the 1880s.  But when he’s in danger of meeting an untimely end, Marty travels back into the past to rescue him.  There just one problem: Doc is so smitten by schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenbergen) that he’s become a little…distracted.  Now it’s up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running, and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where and when they belong.



Street Date: December 17, 2002
Order Close: October 29, 2002
Copyright: © 2002 Universal Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
Rating: All three films rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested - some material may not be suitable for children)
Suggested Retail Price: None, $39.95 M.A.P. 
Selection Number: 22131 Full Frame, 22121, Widescreen
Running Times: Back to the Future – 1 hour, 56 minutes

                          Back to the Future II – 1 hour, 48 minutes

                          Back to the Future III – 1 hour, 58 minutes

Number of Layers: Dual layered on three discs
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen; 1.33:1 Full Frame
Bonus Material:  All new audio commentary with actor Michael J. Fox, director Robert Zemeckis, producer Neil Canton and producer & screenwriter Bob Gale, hilarious outtakes from all three films, deleted scenes, The Hover Board test, The Making of Back to the Future Featurette, The Secrets of the BTTF Trilogy – Special Segment, Universal Animated Anecdotes – Fun and interesting facts about the film, Huey Lewis Music Video, production archive, teaser, original theatrical trailers and much more.  


TRILOGY BOXSET  - VHS

Street Date: December 17, 2002
Order Close: November 12, 2002
Copyright: © 2002 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Rating: All three films rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested – some material may not be suitable for children)
Suggested Retail Price: None, $24.95 M.A.P.
Selection Number: 60397 English
Running Times: Back to the Future – 1 hour, 56 minutes

                          Back to the Future II – 1 hour, 48 minutes

                          Back to the Future III – 1 hour, 58 minutes

Technical Information: VHS / Color / Digital Stereo Surround HiFi / CC / Full Frame 

Universal Studios Home Video is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Unviersal, a global leader in media and communications. 

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