HistoricalBack to the future was created in 1985. It uses quite a lot of elements from this time period, such as the DeLorian, the clothing and some of the gadgets used. In the first film, they travel back in time to 1955. We notice there is a huge contrast in the clothes and traditions in 1985 than 1955. In 1955, the cars are a lot more primitive than the 1985 cars. Also, during the 1950s television was becoming popular in households and Marty notices is when he tells a child he has two televisions (the child is in disbelief). They also use things such as racism. This is showed when a black man, who becomes mayor in 1985, discusses becoming mayor. Another example of a historical element which is explored is the entertainment at the time. Famous actors in 1955 are mentioned, such as Ronald Reagan who became president in the 1980s. In my opinion, a really good example is when Marty is performing Johnny B. Goode in front of an audience at the school. He uses '70s/'80s rock techniques while on stage, which the 1955 community is not familiar to, therefore they're surprised. Marty also mentioned "this is an oldie... an oldie where I come from" because it was released in 1958. SocialGender roles are presented strongly. Women don't have a very strong role in the film and there are not really any female lead roles. Marty's mother, in 1955, plays a stereotypical teenager; wanting to have boyfriends, smoking and drinking. In 1985, she is a woman who has became an alcoholic after "letting herself go" as many popular school girls do later in life. There isn't very many black roles in 1955. There is one character called "Goldie Wilson" who is mayor in 1985. This shows the difference in diversity within America between these two time periods. He would never become mayor in 1955 because most people thought white people were supreme. Goldie Wilson works in the cafe that is popular in Hill Valley. His job is to sweep the floors but he doesn't serve the costumers. This is shows that he isn't important and his boss doesn't think greatly of him. Another one of the workers says "a coloured mayor..." trying to imagine it. Marty's mother also doesn't know the harmfulness of smoking, therefore she does it without thinking. This also shows how times change and how in the '50s nobody understood the harmfulness/ thought it was good for you. CulturalThis film shows a few cultural changes from 1985 to 1955. An example of on of the changes is the clothing. When Marty arrives in 1955 he is wearing an orange body warmer, which is popular in 1985, many people give him strange looks and few even ask "why are you wearing a life preserver?" and many people also think that he's a sailer. Clothing for people in 1955 is also different too. Teenage boys wear shirts which are slightly unbuttoned and jeans where as all girls wear big, 50s, retro dresses. You rarely see anybody else wearing anything different, apart from the adults like Doc Brown and Marty's grandparents in 1955.
Sci-Fi was also popular. Marty's father has the job of writing Sci-Fi novels and is scared when he gets a visit from "Darth Vader". This scares him as he does not know what a Walkman is, and they rarely used headphones in the 1950s. As I mentioned before, television was becoming more popular in households. However it was very rare to have somebody with over one television in their house, as we learn when Marty is at his mother's house.
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Will TownsendA keen videographer and photographer. Currently studying Level 3 Creative Media Production at SGS WISE Campus, Bristol. Archives
November 2015
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