Back to the Future: Film vs Musical Comparison

Note: By design, this page contains spoilers for both the movie and stage musical!

Film

Musical

(n/a) Overture
Pan thru Doc's house. Marty overloads amp and gets call from Doc to meet him at the mall later that night. Open in Doc's house. Marty receives message from Doc to meet him at the mall later that night, and overloads amp.
8:25 am: Marty leaves for school (The Power of Love) ~16:30 pm: Marty leaves for his audition (It's Only a Matter of Time)
(Note: The Manchester version had the story start at 15:55 pm; Broadway has it start at 15:53 pm)
Marty arrives at school late, Strickland chews him out.
After school: Audition (The Power of Love) for the Battle of the Bands competition. Judge (Huey Lewis!) passes on the Pinheads for being "too darn loud".
Audition (The Power of Love) for the Annual Celebration Day event. Strickland cuts off the Pinheads to chew out Marty.
Jennifer consoles Marty and tries to talk him into sending a demo tape to a record company. They discuss their date plans at the lake the following day. Clocktower Lady shows up, gives Marty a flyer, and asks for donations to stop Mayor Goldie Wilson from replacing the clock. Jennifer writes her phone number on the back of the Clocktower leaflet. Jennifer consoles Marty (Got No Future/Wherever We're Going). She tells him about her Uncle Huey, a record producer who wants to meet him the following day. Clocktower Lady shows up, gives Marty a flyer, and asks for donations to repair the clock, a mission mayoral candidate Goldie Wilson supports. Jennifer and Marty take a photo together.
Marty returns home to find that Biff has wrecked George's car and is demanding he pay for it. Marty returns home to find Biff talking George into buying $200 worth of peanut brittle.
Dinner at the McFly house. George watches The Honeymooners. Linda wants a date, Dave leaves for his job at Burger King. Lorraine talks about how she and George met. Uncle Joey gag. Dinner at the McFly house. George laughs at Dave's lame jokes. Linda wants a date, Dave returns home from his job at McDonald's. Lorraine talks about how she and George met. Uncle Joey cake is visible inside fridge. (Hello - Is Anybody Home?)
Marty is woken up by phonecall from Doc. (n/a)
Marty arrives at Twin Pines Mall, where we meet Doc Brown and his dog Einstein. Doc demonstrates how his time-travelling DeLorean works by sending Einstein a minute into the future. Marty arrives at Twin Pines Mall, where we meet Doc Brown returning from a trip five minutes into the future in his voice-activated, time-travelling DeLorean. (It Works)
Doc shows Marty how the car works, while Marty records it all on tape. Libyan terrorists show up and gun Doc down; in trying to escape from them, Marty inadvertently goes back to 1955. Doc shows Marty how the car works, while Marty records it all on tape. Doc collapses from plutonium radiation poisoning; in trying to get to the hospital to save him, Marty inadvertently goes back to 1955.
1955: Marty lands in Old Man Peabody's barn and runs over one of his pine trees before escaping. He hides the DeLorean at the future Lyon Estates site. 1955: Marty lands in a condemned barn (note: Broadway version has him run over the pine tree here) and hides the DeLorean there.
Marty walks around the 1955 town square and finds out how different things are. Mayor Red is running for re-election. (Mr. Sandman) Marty walks around the 1955 town square and finds out how different things are, with the help of the younger Clocktower Lady. Mayor Red is running for re-election. (Cake)
Marty goes into Lou's Cafe, where he meets the younger George and witnesses him being bullied by Biff and his friends: 3D, Skinhead and Match. He finds Doc's address in a phonebook and tears it out. Marty goes into Lou's Cafe, where he meets the younger George and witnesses him being bullied by Biff and his friends: 3D and Slick. (Manchester previews only: Good At Being Bad) Biff tells George to "make like a tree, and get outta here". (Got No Future Reprise 1) He asks Lou about Doc but is rebuffed ("do I look like a phonebook to you?").
Marty inadvertently inspires Goldie Wilson to run for mayor. Marty inadvertently inspires Goldie Wilson to run for mayor. (Gotta Start Somewhere)
George is a peeping tom. He falls out of the tree and is nearly run over by Sam Baines, but Marty pushes him out of the way in time. Sam Baines takes Marty inside the house. George is a peeping tom. (My Myopia) He falls out of the tree and lands on Marty, who was trying to catch him. Sam Baines takes Marty inside the house.
Marty wakes up in Lorraine's bedroom. Lorraine is clearly smitten. Marty wakes up in Lorraine's bedroom. Lorraine is clearly smitten. (Pretty Baby)
Marty meets Lorraine's parents and younger siblings over dinner. Sam gives him directions to Riverside Drive. Stella is pregnant with Ellen (per unused script). Marty meets Lorraine's parents. He asks Sam if he knows where Doc Brown lives and is given directions to Riverside Drive. Stella is pregnant with Uncle Joey (implied).
It's implied 1955 Doc was trying to read his dog Copernicus' mind before opening the door to Marty. 1955 Doc is introduced talking on the phone to "Mr. McDonald".
(Early London previews only: Doc tries to read a cactus' mind)
Marty meets the younger Doc. Doc tries to read his mind. Marty explains he's from the future and shows Doc a photo of his siblings: the top of Dave's head is cut off. Doc cracks joke about Jerry Lewis being the future vice president. Marty persuades Doc he's telling the truth. Marty meets the younger Doc. Doc tries to read his mind. Marty explains he's from the future and shows Doc a photo of his siblings: Dave is out of focus. Doc cracks joke about (Daffy Duck/Pepe le Pew/etc) being the future vice president. Marty persuades Doc he's telling the truth.
Marty and Doc retrieve the car from the Lyon Estates site. Back at Doc's lab, they watch the tape and discover the car needs 1.21 gigawatts to function. After mentioning Jennifer to Doc, Marty realizes the leaflet he has tells them of an upcoming lightning strike, and the two plan to send Marty back that way. Doc realizes that Marty has interfered with his parents' first meeting. Marty and Doc retrieve the car from the barn. There, Marty explains the car needs 1.21 gigawatts to function. After mentioning Jennifer to Doc, Marty realizes the leaflet he has tells them of an upcoming lightning strike, and the two plan to send Marty back that way. (Future Boy) Doc realizes that Marty has interfered with his parents' first meeting.
Exterior shot of the 1955 high school, to establish setting. 1955 high school setting is established. (Hill Valley High School Fight Song)
High school. Doc and Marty watch George being bullied by Dixon and his friends; Strickland chews him out. Marty attempts to introduce George to Lorraine at the lockers, but is unsuccessful. Doc and Marty discuss the situation and conclude that Marty has to get George to take Lorraine to the school dance. High school. Lorraine and her friends talk about "Calvin Klein" (note: This scene only occurs in the London version). Doc and Marty discuss the situation and conclude that Marty has to get George to take Lorraine to the school dance. They watch George being bullied by 3D and Slick; Strickland chews him out.
School cafeteria. Marty talks to George and discovers that he likes writing science fiction stories. Biff hits on Lorraine. Marty tries to intervene and is nearly beaten up by Biff, only for Strickland to show up and put a stop it. Biff tells Marty to "make like a tree, and get outta here".
George refuses to listen to Marty and insists he would rather watch Science Fiction Theatre than go to the school dance.
That night, Marty shows up in George's bedroom pretending to be "Darth Vader from Planet Vulcan".
At Lou's Cafe, George has some chocolate milk and tries to ask out Lorraine ("I'm your density"), only for Biff to show up and hit on her instead. Marty intervenes, distracts Biff and suckerpunches him.
School cafeteria. Marty talks to George and discovers that he likes writing science fiction stories. Lorraine discovers that "Calvin" is at school.
George has some chocolate milk and tries to ask out Lorraine ("I'm your density"), only for Biff to show up and hit on her instead. Marty intervenes, distracts Biff and suckerpunches him.
Skateboard/car chase around town, ending with Biff and pals covered in manure. Marty borrows a homemade scooter from a kid and turns it into a skateboard. Chase around the school, ending with Biff in the laundry cart, covered in spaghetti. Marty borrows a cleaning cart from the Canteen Lady and turns it into a skateboard. He scares Biff by using a fluorescent light tube as a makeshift lightsabre. (Something About That Boy)
(n/a) Act break
(n/a) Doc dreams of the future. (21st Century)
Marty arrives at Doc's lab and finds him watching his death on tape. Doc refuses to let him explain it and shows him his model of the town, and goes over the plan. When Marty expresses scepticism, Doc waves it off. Lorraine shows up and asks Marty to the dance, and explains what she's looking for in a man. Marty arrives at Doc's lab. Lorraine shows up and asks Marty to the dance, and explains what she's looking for in a man. (Something About That Boy Reprise)
Laundry scene. Marty and George go over the plan. Laundry scene. Marty and George go over the plan. (Put Your Mind to It)
(n/a) Marty returns to Doc's lab and finds him watching his death on tape. Doc refuses to let him explain it and shows him his model of the town, and goes over the plan. When Marty expresses scepticism, Doc explains his feelings. (For the Dreamers)
In the town square, Biff asks Lorraine to go to the school dance with him. She tells him she's going with "Calvin Klein", hits him over the head with her dress box, and she and Babs run off. Biff vows to marry her one day.
note: This scene is taken from Part II.
At school, Biff and his goons discuss "Calvin Klein". Biff asks Lorraine to go to the movies with him; Betty and Babs inform him that she's going to the dance with "Calvin Klein" and the three leave. Biff, Slick and 3D vow to get even with "Calvin". (Teach Him A Lesson)
Saturday night. Doc and Marty set up in the town square and discuss how they'll miss each other. Doc refuses to let Marty tell him about the future. Doc bribes a cop.
In Lou's Cafe, Marty writes a letter to Doc begging him to take precautions against being shot in the future.
Saturday night. Doc and Goldie enter Lou's Cafe; due to his acrophobia, Doc has paid Goldie to set up the experiment for him. Doc and Marty discuss how they'll miss each other. Doc refuses to let Marty tell him about the future, then leaves.
Marty writes a letter to Doc begging him to take precautions against being irradiated in the future. He checks his photo of Jennifer and is relieved to find she hasn't been erased. (Only a Matter of Time Reprise)
School dance. Marty asks Lorraine to park with him for a bit.
Inside the school gym: Marvin Berry and the Starlighters play "Night Train".
Back to Marty and Lorraine. She tries kissing him but discovers it feels wrong. Biff shows up and roughs up Marty, then gets his goons to take him away. Biff attempts to assault Lorraine. The goons lock Marty in the back of the Starlighters' car.
School dance. Marvin Berry and the Starlighters play "Deep Divin'".
Outside, Marty asks Lorraine to park with him for a bit. She tries kissing him but discovers it feels wrong. (Pretty Baby Reprise) Biff shows up and roughs up Marty, then gets his goons to take him away. Biff attempts to assault Lorraine. The goons lock Marty in a dumpster.
George shows up and punches out Biff. Marvin accidentally cuts up his hand while he and Reginald try to open the boot of his car. George shows up and punches out Biff. Reginald accidentally smashes up Marvin's hand while trying to open the lid of the dumpster.
Marty plays "Earth Angel" with Marvin and the Starlighters. Lorraine and George dance together; Dixon intervenes and Marty nearly disappears, but George sends him packing. Marty plays "Earth Angel" with Marvin and the Starlighters. Lorraine and George dance together; Dixon intervenes and Marty nearly disappears, but George sends him packing.
Marty plays "Johnny B. Goode". Marvin calls his cousin Chuck and shares the song with him. Marty plays "Johnny B. Goode". (Early Manchester previews only: Marvin calls his cousin Chuck and shares the song with him.)
Marty says goodbye to George and Lorraine. Marty says goodbye to George and Lorraine.
Clocktower Sequence. Marty changes the car to go back 10 minutes earlier. Doc succeeds in getting Marty back to the future. Clocktower Sequence. Marty attempts to change the car to go back 20 minutes earlier, but fails due to it only listening to Doc. Doc succeeds in getting Marty back to the future. (For the Dreamers Reprise)
1985. Marty arrives in the town square, startling Red the bum. He returns to Lone Pine Mall but is too late to stop the Libyans from gunning down Doc again. After watching them crash into the Fox Photo booth, he cries over Doc's body, only to find out that he's still alive: he read Marty's letter and bought a bulletproof vest. 1985. Marty arrives in the town square, startling Red the bum. He attempts to drive to the hospital but can't due to the car not listening to him. Assuming the worst, Marty cries over Doc (Got No Future Reprise 2), only to find out that he's still alive: he read Marty's letter and bought a new radiation suit.
Doc drives Marty home and then leaves for the future. Doc offers to drive Marty home, but Marty turns him down. Doc leaves for the future.
Marty wakes up in his bedroom (Back in Time) and goes downstairs with a package (presumably his demo tape, but then it vanishes halfway through the scene and is forgotten about). He discovers his family has been changed by his actions in the past. George's first novel, A Match Made in Space, arrives. Dave leaves for his new office job; Linda is getting calls from lots of boys, including Greg and/or Craig. Marty wakes up in the town square and discovers his family has been changed by his actions in the past, and it's now George McFly Day! Goldie has become mayor, and Clocktower Lady receives a cheque to restore the clock. George reveals his new novel, Back to the Future 4: The Further Adventures of Kelvin Klien [sic]. Dave explains he has to go to his new office job after the event; Linda is with her boyfriend Craig.
Marty discovers he now has the truck of his dreams, which he'd like to take Jennifer to the lake in. Jennifer introduces Marty to her Uncle Huey. Marty and the Pinheads play for him. (The Power of Love)
Doc shows up and interrupts Marty and Jennifer kissing. He explains that Marty needs to return to the future with him to fix his kids' lives. Doc shows up and interrupts the song. He explains that he wants Marty to return to the future with him because "it's incredible".
Doc, Marty and Jennifer get into the flying DeLorean and leave for the future. Doc and Marty get into the flying DeLorean and leave for the future. (Finale/Only a Matter of Time Reprise 2)
Closing credits (Back in Time) Curtain call and encore (Back in Time)

Might as well put this here too. Here's a list of differences between the official cast recording and the actual show, as some things were tweaked or altered to make it flow better out of the context of the story. Additionally, the show has been revised numerous times since the cast recording was released, with some songs getting altered as a result; anything that was accurate at the time the CD was released, but has been changed in later versions of the show is marked in pink.

Overture No changes
It's Only a Matter of Time
  • From Year 2 onwards, Goldie's introductory dialogue was shortened to simply "Elect me, Goldie Wilson, for mayor! Progress is my middle name!"
Audition (The Power of Love)
  • Strickland's dialogue is slightly truncated.
Got No Future
  • Clocktower Lady's dialogue is cut.
Wherever We're Going
  • Jennifer's dialogue about her uncle is cut throughout, including a dialogue break in the middle of the song.
  • Clocktower Lady's dialogue is cut.
  • The end of the song has been revised several times since the first year of the show (and even before it opened in London!). Click below for a comparison of the lyrics.

    Manchester (2020)
    London Year 1 (2021-22) + Cast Recording
    London Year 2 (2022-23)
    Original Broadway (June 2023)/London Year 3 (2023-24) onwards
Hello - Is Anybody Home?
  • Some of Lorraine's dialogue is slightly truncated.
  • The McFly siblings' (adlibbed) bickering at the end of Lorraine's verse is cut.
  • Originally Marty knocked on the table at the end of the first verse ("Hello *taptapTAPtap* Is anybody home?") - before George's verse.
  • Marty knocking on the table was cut from the Broadway show/London Year 3 onwards.
  • From London Year 2 onwards, Dave and Linda's parts were significantly cut down: the Walkman/Prince CD banter was removed, and Linda's verse was cut down to just one verse.
    The Broadway and North American Tour restored the Walkman banter but retained the other edits.


  • London Year 1 (2021-22) + Cast Recording
    London: Year 2 (2022-23) onwards
    Broadway/North American Tour version
  • From London Year 2 onwards, Lorraine's second "There was something about that boy..." was cut, and the following line was cut down to just "Hello, hello...?!" (two "hello"s instead of three)
It Works No changes
Don't Drive 88!
  • Dialogue is truncated.
Cake
  • From Year 2 onwards, Mayor Red's intro dialogue was shortened to simply "Re-elect me, Mayor Red Thomas! Progress is my middle name!"
  • The Broadway and North American Tour have slightly different music for the Cigarette Girl and Texaco Boys' intros (as the US productions have different choreo/blocking for those parts of the song); the West End production continues to use the original music.
  • Broadway/London Year 4 onwards: After the Cigarette Girls sing "And even doctors say they're good for you", a doctor (Dr. A. Silvestri) pops up and coughs "So good for you".
  • On the cast recording, DDT Guy sings "And we've re-engineered..." solo, with the rest of the ensemble joining in to finish the line "...the food from the farm!". From Broadway/London Year 3 onwards, the ensemble sing the entire line.
Got No Future (Reprise 1)
  • Song is omitted from the cast recording.

    Lyrics
Gotta Start Somewhere
  • The coda/encore for the song is cut from the cast recording.
    The Broadway and North American Tour never used the coda; the West End show used it until London Year 4 (2024-25), at which point they switched to using the US ending for the song, which combines the coda with the final verse. See below for a comparison.

    Coda (Cut from West End production in August 2024)
    Revised Ending (Broadway/North American Tour, London Year 4 onwards)
My Myopia Okay, so basically they alter this song with every round of changes... (This isn't even including the various changes it went through before they settled on the version you hear on the cast recording!)
  • The Broadway version has a slightly different intro, adding a pause/beat between the musical intro and the start of the vocals. This was not added to the West End show until Year 4.
  • Broadway/London Year 3 onwards: The second line of the song was changed to "Fifteen feet up off the ground".
  • From London Year 2 onwards, the ending of the song was made much more abrupt; there is no longer a break for applause. The ending is much more comical in tone, compared to the more poignant ending used for most of London Year 1 (and on the cast recording).
    Exactly when it cuts off depends on the production: the American versions of the show let George finish the song before falling out of the tree (and thus have slightly different music for that bit), while the West End show has him fall mid-sentence.

    London Year 1 (2021-22) + Cast Recording
    London Year 2 (2022-23) onwards
    Broadway/North American Tour
Pretty Baby
  • Lorraine's dialogue at the start of the song is slightly truncated.
Future Boy
  • Dialogue is truncated; a notable omission is Marty telling Doc to "put [his] mind to it".
  • Conversation between Doc and Marty near the end (around 03:05 in the cast recording) is cut, allowing the song to finish; in the show itself, the song is interrupted and ends much more abruptly!
Hill Valley High School Fight Song
  • Song is omitted from the cast recording.

    Lyrics (West End)
    Lyrics (Broadway/North American Tour)
Something About That Boy
  • The instrumental interlude between Biff's verse and the French class verse (02:11-02:20) is missing the (adlibbed) dialogue from the Canteen Lady as Marty "borrows" her cart.
    From London Year 2 onwards, this interlude was cut entirely. (the scene still occurs, but now happens over the start of the French class, and Canteen Lady no longer vocally objects)
  • The cast recording omits Biff's line "Oh, hey Mr. Strickland..." and Strickland yelling at Biff/the goons at the end of Biff's verse.
  • The instrumental break/underscore for the fight scene at the end is cut entirely; the cast recording goes from the French class verse right to the final verse.
21st Century
  • The ensemble's lines "there's no more crime in the future", etc are delivered in a much more stilted manner on the cast recording than they are in live performances.
Something About That Boy (Reprise)
  • Song is omitted from the cast recording.

    Lyrics
Put Your Mind to It
  • Obviously, the backing vocals aren't present in the show proper!
  • The cast recording omits George's line "Well now I wanna be Dick Jagger, what does he do?" (in response to "be anything you wanna be") and replaces it with more backing vocals.
  • Other various adlibs are present in the show (i.e. George reacting to Marty taking his watch) but are omitted from the cast recording.
  • An odd one. On the cast recording, the last verse begins with backing singers singing "Put your, put your, p-p-p-" leading into Marty and George's next line "Just put your mind to it!". Originally this was, again, just something added into the cast recording to make it sound good as a standalone song. The Broadway version added this into the show proper, with Marty and George now singing "Put your, put your, p-p-put your mind to it!"; this was imported into the London show starting in Year 4.
  • Speaking of that line - On the cast recording, there's a keychange at the start of the final verse. Whether or not there is in live performances seems to depend entirely on how the actors feel that day? I've seen it done both ways.
For the Dreamers
  • Marty and Doc's conversation at the end of the song (after the final "And we don't know who they are...") is omitted from the cast recording.
Teach Him A Lesson
  • From London Year 2 onwards, Biff's line was altered to "That I don't trust; he's danger-rust" rather than "dangerous".
  • The cast recording omits the dialogue breaks after "It's tails, I lose!" and "I'll shine his shoes!". Originally, Biff bickered with 3D and Slick here (adlibbed dialogue) as they tried to correct his malapropisms.
  • The first dialogue break was cut around November 2022 (several months into London Year 2). The West End show still has the second dialogue break (although it's been shortened significantly over the years), while the Broadway show cut both.
The Letter
  • Marty's dialogue (in response to Doc) is cut.
  • Linda's dialogue (voice-over as Marty watches her disappear from the photo) is cut.
Only a Matter of Time Reprise No changes
Deep Divin' Song was extended for the cast recording!
  • Marvin's intro dialogue is cut and replaced with a smooth sax solo.
  • The cast recording has a sax present throughout the song; this isn't heard in the show itself.
  • The show version ends at around the 01:05 point of the cast recording; at this point, Marvin pauses to tell the crowd the band will be taking a short break after this song, then finishes "Deep, deep divin' for looooveee..." and fades out as the scene changes.
    The cast recording adds a wonderful instrumental break, a reprise of the chorus, and a slightly longer/more elaborate ending.
Pretty Baby (Reprise)
  • Song is omitted from the cast recording. (This one's just a repeat of the earlier lyrics, but I might as well be thorough...)

    Lyrics
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)
  • Most of George and Lorraine's dialogue is cut.
  • Marty's "Come on, George, dammit, kiss her!" is cut.
  • On the cast recording, Dixon comes in a few lines later than he does in the show itself, allowing for more of the song to be heard.
Johnny B. Goode No changes
The Clocktower
  • Dialogue is cut.
For the Dreamers Reprise No changes
Got No Future (Reprise 2)
  • Song is omitted from the cast recording.

    Lyrics
The Power of Love
  • In the show, the ending of the song is interrupted; on the cast recording (and TV performances, etc), the song finishes properly.
Doc Returns
  • The DeLorean's dialogue is cut.
Curtain Call (Bows)
  • This is omitted from the cast recording. (Hey, just being thorough!)
Back in Time No changes
Exit Music (Back in Time) Technically no changes, although live versions never match the cast recording exactly as the orchestra usually switch it up and put in new riffs, solos, etc, for every performance. (I.e. a jam session)
~ ~
Good At Being Bad This song was cut during Manchester previews and thus was never given an official studio recording. The Deluxe Edition does include an early demo of it, though, and I'm the completist type, so here's a comparison between the demo and what was actually performed (before the song was cut altogether).
  • The demo starts with a two-minute monologue that was mercifully cut before the show opened, and replaced with a snappier/simpler introduction: "Don't be so gullible, McFly! You know, I was gullible when I was a kid, right guys?"
  • The Manchester version started off with a dance break in the middle of the song; this was cut in the first week of previews.
  • The final version goes straight from "That's why I'm just so good / At being bad" to "When you have to take a beating..."; the demo has a couple of extra verses in-between.
  • Biff addresses George by name several times in the final version of the song; this is not present in the demo.
~ ~
Time Travel Is A Dangerous Thing This cut/unused song was performed at the two Future Day 2023 shows in the West End; the live performances had some noticeable differences from the demo that's present on the Deluxe Edition CD:
  • The first chorus is different between the two versions.
  • The live performances had two extra verses and another chorus added to the middle of the song.
  • The demo has a line about Hitler/slavery that was cut from the live performances.
  • The live performances had the "Would Galileo see the stars?" etc part performed by the principal actors (ambiguously still in character as George/Lorraine/Biff/Goldie); presumably this was originally intended to be sung by ensemble characters instead.
  • The live performances included a line about Charles Lindbergh that's not present in the demo.

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