Why is today, November 12, an important date in Back to the Future?

Today, November 12, may seem like just another day in the calendar, but for fans of the iconic ‘Back to the Future’ film franchise, it holds a special place in their hearts. This date is synonymous with one of the most pivotal moments in the series, the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance and, crucially, a return to the future with help from a perfectly timed bolt of lightning. In the time-traveling world of Marty McFly and Doc Brown, November 12, 1955, marks a date that changed history, ensuring that Marty’s existence remains intact and capturing the imaginations of audiences for decades.

In the original ‘Back to the Future’ film, our teenage hero, Marty McFly, finds himself thrust back to the year 1955 after a mishap with Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine. (Do you remember what date he left 1985?) His arrival in the past on November 5, 1955, kicks off a series of events that lead to the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance. It is here that Marty must ensure his parents, George and Lorraine, meet and fall in love. Otherwise, he risks erasing his own future existence.

1955: love, enchantment, and rock ‘n’ roll

The ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance is not just a pivotal moment for Marty; it’s also a microcosm of the nostalgia and charm of the 1950s. The setting, with its vintage decorations, live band, and swing dancing, transports both Marty and the audience to a bygone era of innocence, soda fountains, and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Oh, and a believable impersonation of “Darth Vader from the planet Vulcan” to influence George to pluck up the courage to ask Lorraine to the dance.

The clock tower climax

The ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance has given us some of the most iconic moments in the ‘Back to the Future’ series. From Marty’s impressive guitar solo (”I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet... but your kids are going to love it”), to Biff being knocked out in the parking lot, to the famous kiss between George and Lorraine, these scenes have become cinematic treasures.

November 12, 1955, also marks the exact time when lightning strikes the Hill Valley clock tower, at exactly 10:04 p.m. This moment is crucial as Marty and Doc Brown need the lightning strike to generate the 1.21 gigawatts required to power the DeLorean and send Marty back to 1985. The suspenseful climax at the dance, with Marty racing against time to ensure his parents’ romantic connection and then harnessing the lightning bolt with a few last minute hitches, is a defining sequence in the film.

Lessons from a timeline

‘Back to the Future’ is not just about time travel but also about the choices we make and their impact on our future. The importance of love, courage, and determination in shaping one’s destiny is a timeless message that resonates with audiences of all ages.

So, that is why today, November 12, is so key in the movie. From the charms of a small town in the 1950s, where a DeLorean, a flux capacitor, and a lightning storm came together to create a cinematic masterpiece. As doc said to Marty ahead of the big day in 1955, “On Saturday night, we’re sending you back to the future!”