The cinematic universe of "Back to the Future" is so firmly rooted in the popular consciousness that it is impossible to imagine the main character Marty McFly on board any other vehicle other than the silver one. DeLorean DMC-12, almost impossible. However, if screenwriters Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis had listened to the original producers, the iconic car might never have appeared on camera. In the early drafts of the script and the original idea, a completely different object acted as a time machine - refrigerator.
This plot detail seems absurd at first glance, but it almost caused the film to receive a stricter age rating due to the potential danger for copycats. The script underwent enormous changes before it was released, and the replacement of the “refrigerated” prototype with a car was a turning point in the history of the film. Let's figure out why the creators abandoned household appliances and how this decision saved the film.
The idea of time travel inside the refrigerator was intended to emphasize the ordinariness of what was happening, but it carried a hidden threat. The authors wanted to show that great discoveries do not always require complex mechanisms, but they were faced with an ethical dilemma. Ultimately, the choice fell on DeLorean, which became a symbol of the 80s and a pop culture icon.
Refrigerator as a prototype: the logic of the early scenario
In the very first version of the script, written before the arrival of Robert Zemeckis, Marty McFly went back in time, climbing into an old refrigerator. The logic was simple: the hero found himself at a nuclear testing site, where a new bomb was being tested. The blast wave and the release of energy were supposed to trigger the time travel mechanism. It was intended as a satire on the Cold War and the arms race that was prevalent at the time.
However, this plot twist caused serious concerns among the studio. Universal Pictures. There was a real fear that children, having watched enough movies, would begin to hide in old refrigerators, which in reality often led to tragic cases of suffocation. Producer Sidney Shinberg insisted that showing children how to safely travel inside appliances absolutely unacceptable from the point of view of public morality.
Also, from a purely cinematic standpoint, the refrigerator scene was less entertaining. It's difficult to create a dynamic chase or a spectacular exit from the flames when the hero is sitting in a motionless box. Dynamics The film demanded something faster and more controlled. That is why the decision was made to look for an alternative that could move and look futuristic for 1985.
Why the choice fell on DeLorean DMC-12
The search for a replacement refrigerator was carried out at an active pace. The writers needed a car that looked strange enough for 1985 to make the audience believe it could fly and travel through time, but still remain a recognizable car. Bob Gale recalled that they were looking for a car with a "stainless body" to explain why it wouldn't rust after sitting in a barn for 30 years.
The choice fell on DeLorean DMC-12 for several key reasons. Firstly, its design with angular shapes and gullwing doors was ideal for the image of a car from the future. Secondly, John DeLorean, the car's creator, was a controversial figure, which added to the car's aura of mystery. And thirdly, the stainless steel of the body made it easy to justify scenario moves with lightning and energy discharges.
It is important to note that other exotic techniques were initially considered. Candidates even included motorcycles and small single-seat aircraft. However, the automotive topic was closer to the Americans, and DeLorean At that time they had just stopped producing it, which made it a rare and exclusive copy. This added the extra charm of “rescuing” a forgotten technology to the film.
Did you know that 6 DeLoreans were used in the filming of the film? One of them was fully functional, but most served only as props for stunts and close-ups.
Technical details: from plutonium to manure
With the replacement of a refrigerator with a car, it was necessary to rewrite the energy source for time machines. In the refrigerator version it was an atomic bomb. The automobile version also featured nuclear energy at first, but in a more compact form. Doc Brown used plutonium stolen from Libyan terrorists to start the reactor.
In the second part of the trilogy, the energy source was changed to a more environmentally friendly one and available in any garage - waste reactor (Mr. Fusion). This device converted household waste into the energy needed to reach a speed of 88 miles per hour. This transition from dangerous plutonium to waste recycling reflected the changing attitude of society towards ecology in the late 80s.
- 🚀 Plutonium: Used in the first part, it required a dangerous extraction operation from the Libyans.
- ⚡ Zipper: A natural source of enormous power used to return Marty to 1985.
- ♻️ Mr. Fusion: A compact reactor that converts garbage, banana peels and beer into electricity.
Interestingly, the speed of 88 mph (about 141 km/h) was not chosen by chance. According to the creators, this number was easy to read on the digital speedometer DeLorean and it looked impressive. At this speed, the digital signs would light up all at once, creating the visual effect of reaching the limit.
Why 88 mph?
The numbers 8 and 8 appear symmetrical and glow brightly on the display. It's also fast enough for American roads, but achievable for a sports car, adding tension to the acceleration scene.
Feature Comparison: Refrigerator vs. DeLorean
To better understand the difference between the original idea and the final implementation, let's compare the technical and plot parameters of both “vehicles”. If the film had remained with the refrigerator, the narrative dynamics would have been completely different.
| Parameter | Refrigerator (Original) | DeLorean DMC-12 (Movie) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Nuclear explosion | Plutonium / Lightning / Garbage |
| Mobility | Absent (static) | High (up to 88 mph) |
| Security | Low (risk of suffocation) | Medium (accident risk) |
| Visual style | Everyday, boring | Futuristic, stylish |
| Management | Missing | Steering wheel, levers, computer |
As can be seen from the table, DeLorean wins in all respects, except, perhaps, fuel consumption in the first part. The car gave the director the opportunity to film breathtaking chase, drift and flying scenes that would not have been possible with a stationary box. Visual component played a crucial role in the success of the franchise.
In addition, the car allowed us to develop the theme of the relationship between father and son through the prism of love for cars. For Marty, the car was not just a means of transportation, but a symbol of freedom and growing up. A refrigerator would not carry such a symbolic load.
Impact of Substitution on Franchise Success
It is difficult to overestimate how much the replacement of the prototype affected the box office success of the film. DeLorean became the same character in the film as Doc Brown. The car has received its own name among fans, its models are produced in the form of toys, and real copies are sold for millions of dollars. If an old man flashed in the frame refrigerator, merchandising would be much less successful.
⚠️ Attention: Attempting to recreate a “time machine” from a refrigerator at home is extremely dangerous! Sealed chambers can lead to suffocation, and any experiments with electricity can be fatal. The film is a work of fiction.
The film spawned a whole subculture of owners DeLorean. Clubs for this brand exist all over the world, and many owners customize their cars by adding glowing capacitors and the number 88 on the speedometer. This is a unique case when a film literally saved a car brand from complete oblivion, turning John DeLorean's failed business project into a legend.
☑️ Signs you're a Back to the Future fan
Evolution of the time machine in the trilogy
Over the course of three films, the time machine underwent changes, reflecting the progress of technology and plot. If in the first part it was a bulky car with a nuclear reactor, then by the end of the trilogy it turned into a flying vehicle powered by garbage. At the end of the second part we see how DeLorean gains the ability to float above the ground using hover technology.
In the third part, which takes place in 1885, the heroes have to be smart. Since there is no gasoline or electricity in the Wild West, Doc Brown hides the car in a mine and uses it to accelerate to 88 mph. locomotive. This is a brilliant screenplay that connects the era of steam with the era of electricity and the atom.
- 🚗 1985: A classic DeLorean on wheels, powered by plutonium.
- 🛸 2015: Flying DeLorean with Mr. Reactor Fusion and hover conversion.
- 🚂 1885: A DeLorean without wheels, driven by the steam locomotive Jenny.
Each modification was dictated by the living conditions of the heroes. This demonstrates the universality of the concept: a time machine is not just an object, but a tool that adapts to circumstances. It was this flexibility of thinking that allowed the screenwriters to avoid plot holes and create a logical (as far as possible in science fiction) chain of events.
Replacing the refrigerator with a DeLorean was a key decision that turned a good script into a cult film that defined the aesthetics of an entire generation and saved the car brand from oblivion.
Cultural heritage and reality
Today DeLorean DMC-12 is the most recognizable car in film history. Museums hold exhibitions dedicated to the trilogy, and fans from all over the world come to Back to the Future Day festivals. The original car used in the filming is kept in museums and is periodically put up at auctions, going under the hammer for fabulous sums.
However, it is worth remembering that in reality DeLorean It was far from an ideal car. Poor build quality, weak engine and reliability problems led to the company's bankruptcy. Only thanks to the film this model received a second life. Without cinematic fame, most likely, few people would remember the existence of such a brand.
⚠️ Attention: In real life, buying a DeLorean requires huge maintenance costs. Parts are rare, and the body's stainless steel requires special care to avoid staining. This is a collector's car, not a daily driver.
The story of the creation of the time machine is a lesson in the importance of not being afraid to change a concept for a better result. The abandonment of the "refrigeration" idea initially seemed like a step backward, but ultimately led to the creation of one of the most iconic images in Hollywood history. The film proved that even a business project can become immortal if life is breathed into it through art.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it true that you could survive a nuclear explosion in a refrigerator?
No, it's a myth. Although the lead lining of older refrigerator models could theoretically protect against radiation, the shock wave and high temperature would melt the metal or throw the refrigerator over a huge distance. In addition, the oxygen inside would run out.
How much did a DeLorean cost in 1985?
In the mid-80s the price of a new DeLorean DMC-12 was about 25,000 - 27,000 US dollars. Adjusted for inflation, that's the equivalent of about $70,000 to $80,000 today. However, the collectible value of copies from the film reaches millions.
Why doesn't a time machine exist in reality?
From the point of view of modern physics, moving into the past violates cause-and-effect relationships (the grandfather paradox). Although Einstein's theory of relativity allows for travel into the future (by slowing down time at high speeds), reversing time requires energy and conditions unattainable by our civilization.
What happened to the DeLorean Motor Company?
The company went bankrupt in 1982, shortly after production began, due to financial scandals of founder John DeLorean and poor quality of cars. Production was stopped, but in the 2010s a new company resumed production of a limited series of cars with modern engines.