‘Back to the Future’ Mistakes You’ll Never Be Able to Unsee

Even beloved movies like ‘Back to the Future’ have small mistakes. Once you notice these continuity errors or things that don’t quite fit the time period, they’re hard to unsee. Fans have pointed out things like a guitar appearing before it was actually invented, or objects changing between scenes. These little slip-ups don’t ruin the movie’s appeal, but they’re a reminder of how quickly and ambitiously it was made, with all the stunts, special effects, and complicated time travel involved.

The 1955 Guitar That Didn’t Exist Yet

During the Enchantment Under the Sea dance in the movie, Marty plays a cherry-red Gibson ES-345 guitar. Interestingly, this particular model didn’t actually exist until several years *after* 1955, and it includes features that weren’t available at that time. The filmmakers chose it because it captured the energy of Chuck Berry’s music, even though it wasn’t historically accurate. The movie’s star has since admitted the mistake, and guitar experts have documented the specific guitar used in the scene.

The Shape-Shifting Dashboard During the Libyan Chase

As a huge fan, I’ve always noticed something funny about that iconic scene where Marty speeds away from the terrorists. If you look closely at the dashboard, things don’t quite line up! The numbers on the odometer and trip counter seem to jump around, and even the style of the gauges changes between shots. It’s pretty clear they used different parts of the car – maybe shots from the stunt car and the main hero car – and cleverly put them all together to create that fast-paced, exciting chase. It’s a neat little filmmaking trick, really!

The ‘Save the Clock Tower’ Flyer That Can’t Make Up Its Mind

The flyer Marty gets—a key piece of evidence about the lightning strike—looks different at various points in the movie. Details like wrinkles, ink smudges, and even the note on the back aren’t always the same. It’s clear that the filmmakers used multiple versions of the flyer during production, with at least two distinct variations identified by fans.

The Stunt Double Wardrobe Switch in the Skateboard Chase

During the chase scene in the town square, you can briefly see a change in Marty’s clothes – his belt and shirt slightly shift in color and design. This happens during some of the faster action moments and reveals that a stunt double was used, wearing clothes that are similar but not quite the same. While the editing mostly hides it, pausing the video makes the difference in wardrobe obvious.

Biff’s Car Mirrors That Appear and Disappear

During the chase scene with Biff and his gang, keep an eye on the car’s mirrors – they change noticeably. The rearview mirror sometimes disappears and reappears, and the side mirror on the passenger side switches between being round and square. These inconsistencies reveal that the filmmakers used different cars and shots to create the scene.

The Start Line That Magically Gets a Fresh Paint Job

Before Marty starts running, the “START HERE” marking on the street looks old and dirty. But when Marty steps outside to set up the hook pole, the letters briefly look new and clean, before becoming dirty again in subsequent shots. It’s clear the street marking was repositioned or cleaned between each take.

The Visible Safety Rig on the Clock Tower

During the most exciting part of the scene, viewers can briefly see the safety equipment used for the stunt. A thin black cable supporting Doc is visible as he swings near the clock, and another shot shows a line pulling an electrical cable towards him. These quick glimpses reveal how the stunt was safely achieved.

The Letter to Doc That Rewrites Itself

The warning letter Marty writes doesn’t appear consistent throughout the movie. Sometimes the final line says just “disaster,” while other times Doc shows a version taped together that says “terrible disaster.” Plus, the handwriting, including Marty’s signature, changes. This suggests the filmmakers used several different copies of the letter during filming.

The Phone Book Page That Jumps Sides

While looking for Doc’s address in 1955, Marty briefly sees it in the phone book. However, when he tears out the page, he accidentally removes the wrong one. This creates a small mistake in the film – the torn edge doesn’t match what was shown earlier when he checks the address. It’s a quick error that’s easy to miss in such a fast-paced scene.

Curb Cuts in a 1955 Town Square

The curbs around the town square in Hill Valley weren’t accurate for 1955. They feature modern updates – like rolled edges or curb cuts – that became common in American towns much later. These weren’t part of the original set design; they were added during filming or after, and are visible in many shots from different angles.

Seen anyone else who looks familiar in ‘Back to the Future’? Share your picks in the comments – let’s see if we can all spot the same faces!

2025-10-17 08:45