We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy Kindle Edition

As one of many big fans of the  Back to the Future: The Complete Adventures - Limited Edition  , I knew I had to get this book and read all about the behind the scene situations in relation to this series of movies. Its a quick read for the most part surprisingly with it going in chronological order in the history of how things happened during the making of and filming of each of the movies of the iconic trilogy.The author went through various interviews, research sessions and data collecting to get every bit of information he could on all the subjects that are related to the trilogy. The technology, the actors, the movie studio (Universal), the Delorean, Hoverboards and all the people who were involved with its creation. (Most notably Director, Robert Zemekis and writer, Bob Gale.)And it does a good job of trying to fill in those little extras that are mentioned in commentaries and are just well known by now by fans of the now over 30 year series that started way back in 1985 as a script that no studio wanted any part of.The book is very heavily focused on the first film of the series that started it all, Back to the Future. With Part II getting less focus and Part III almost nothing at all. That is probably the biggest problem with the book itself. Also a bit of a problem is, there really isn't that much to talk about in relation to the series of films and the related that isn't already well known, especially with the sequels. The first movie is so iconic and everything that went behind the scenes in relation to it is actually quite interesting. But again any true Back to the Future fan should know most of these stories.For instance how Eric Stoltz was the original Marty McFly and only later did Michael J. Fox (MJF) become available to do the movie, even after filming started. And the book focuses a lot on the situation involving the replacement of said actor. As that probably is the biggest story line of the first movie, as how many movies start filming weeks in and decide they don't like the lead actor and have to replace him and do it all over again? And it really delves into everything in relation to the first movie. A lot of MJF facts without actually getting much from MJF himself which was odd. The book seemed very Lea Thompson quote filled but not much with the star himself. But at least you do get your fill of stories and knowledge when it comes to the movie that started it all. You will definitely feel like you have taken a trip from the start of the movie's creation to its conclusion. Focusing on the stars, vehicles, people behind the camera, how the movie did, the effect it had, the filming of. Everything is there and in great details.But when we get to Part II and beyond it becomes more brief and choppy. The book will focus on Back to the Future Part II in the later part of it, and the main focus, (as again any true fan of the trilogy should know) is the fact that Crispin Glover, who played George McFly from the first movie wouldn't come back due to a disagreement between he and the powers that be. (The actual reason still in dispute with both parties blaming the other over why he didn't come back even after this books tries to delve into it) As well as the bitterness of Jefferey Weissman who played the part of George in the movies as a replacement and his role being heavily reduced due to their trying to cover up the fact that its not Crispin Glover. And of course a lot on the hoverboard focus and how they did those effects using 1989 limitations (including an injury with a stuntwoman during one of the hoverboard scenes).As the book comes to an end they throw in a quick chapter on Back to the Future Part III and it doesn't really focus around much. It has mentions of Mary Steenburgen and talks about the marketing behind not just the third movie but all the movies, which was odd to be talking about suddenly instead of the third movie itself. But that's really it. I was actually quite disappointed as we learn so much about the first movie and get some interesting information in relation to the second but then the third movie is like the forgotten child that we have to be nice to and make mentions of but not really delve into it as if there was nothing important to say on it.So that's why this book is far from the most informative and must have book when in relation to the movie. You learn more about things from the bonus discs of the film itself and the commentary then you do here with a lot of the interesting facts in relation to the trilogy. The first movie he probably goes on for a bit too much talking about details that didn't matter then he gets to the other films and he doesn't give it that same in depth focus that one would like after reading all we did about the first movie as we are going through the book.But what this book will do well is teach those who are either new to the trilogy or not the die hard fans who know all about the little details that this book talks about and will be learning about for the first time as they read it. This came off great for that purpose. I again wish he focused more on the sequels, cartoon series, ride and video game then he does here. He makes mentions of all but it seemed like as the book went on he talked less and less about things in the same great detail as when he started.Still was a worthwhile read and a nice attempt to get it all into one book. But its far from the most complete or informative book that could have and should have been made here. This is heavy.(I would give it 3 1/2 out of 5 if we could do half stars here as its close but not quite there as it should have been.)

When I first heard about this book coming out, I got very excited. I first saw Back to the Future in the local theater when I was 9 years old, and since then, I have been a huge fan. Over the years, I have gotten the various behind-the-scenes books, and incarnations of the movies. I now have them on Blu-ray and have about 10 various DeLorean time machine models.I received the book via UPS yesterday afternoon and started reading it right away. By the time I realized it, it was 3 AM. It's an excellent book and delves into many known and unknown facts, which I appreciate greatly. Gaines has tapped into the BTTF universe and I highly recommend this book to any true fan.

There was not enough new, never-before- known information in this book. The first 60 pages are okay. A few things are interesting, such as what the studio bosses wanted changed, what the first draft was like, and what a pain Crispen Glover was. But after that the book seems padded. There was a healthy section on a stunt that badly injured a stunt woman. I felt bad for her, but this story was so long that I skipped over much of it. The parts on 2 and 3 were not all that interesting. If you are 14 years old and have just watched the movie for the first time, maybe you'd find this book interesting. I've had 33 years to hear most of the stories that are in this book, so I regret the purchase.

We Don't Need Roads is a collection of details from (what I consider) the greatest trilogy of all time. Any fan of the Back to the Future series owes it to themselves to own this book. It's an amazingly engaging read, discussing elements well known as the hiring and firing of Eric Stolz in the lead role, as well as items not well known such as a horrifying hoverboard stunt gone wrong in Back to the Future Part II. Author Caseen Gaines points out so many different behind the scenes that one wonders if more is left to be uncovered. For the time being, this novel will satisfy the thirst of any lover of Back to the Future. Buy it!

What a great book! I read this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. As soon as my dad and I discovered this book existed, we ordered copies as gifts for each other.I was born in the same generation as Gaines; I was introduced to the films by people who saw the first theater runs, although supposedly, as a one-month-old I was taken to the theater to see "Back to the Future III".I just LOVE that the films make sense. So many details went into the storyline, the "science," the visuals, the acting, the music...Gaines picked the perfect details to share and explain in the book to make me appreciate the films from many different perspectives.I'm going to watch the third film with my little 13-year-old sister in a few days; it's her first time and I'm so excited to see it with her. This book got me especially excited about that viewing!If you remember the films coming out, if you grew up with the films, or you are just discovering "Back to the Future," this is a great read. Check it out!

This was a fascinating look behind-the-scenes at the making of the Back To The Future trilogy. The book contains little-known facts about the casting (and miscasting) of the films as well as insights into the development of the stories and what it took to bring them to life. My only quibble about the book is that it spends more time than I would have liked discussing the impact of the films on the global culture and on events that have occurred around the world over the last thirty years, probably at the expense of more details about the movies themselves. Still, I highly recommend it for fans of the films.

I hope to introduce my future children to the BTTF trilogy. On blu ray/4K. Or whatever the future holds for them. Unlike me, who saw them in the wrong sequence (3, 2, 1) and I had part 3 recorded from the TV onto a red VHS tape, with a Donald Duck cartoon before it! I have the blu ray boxset, the novelizations and the  Ultimate Visual History  (released in October 2015, compared to this book, released in July of the same year.)My question is: do you ultimately need both books?I have now read both books and enjoyed (and not so much) both of them in different ways. The Visual History is very much a coffee table tome, whereas this is more bookcase friendly.For me though, this book had a lot of negativity and felt quite unbalanced. I am not sure if the author intended it to come across this way, or whether he was just trying to put a different spin on all the positive stories that are out there. There was a lot of focus on the more negative stories, such as the fact that part 2 didn’t perform quite as well (despite it being my favourite of the three.) A lot LOT is made of Eric Stoltz’s casting, performance and subsequent firing. (Although I didn’t know that there was a Jennifer pre-Claudia Wells, who could no longer stay post-Eric, as she was taller than Michael J Fox.) Then there are pages dedicated to the Crispin Glover debacle, and the whole back and forth between him and the Bobs. Then his replacement and how he was treated on set and the stunt woman who was seriously injured during part 2. And then we revisit the whole Crispin Glover situation towards the end but bring in Tom Wilson as well ...I don’t know. To me, the book feels quite negative and while there is some information that is different to the official Visual History and there are also different photos, and a lot of interviews with people who were just bit parts in the films, I feel like particularly the making of part 3 is heavily condensed incorrectly. If the negativity had been lessened, more could have been written about part 3, rather than being hurriedly skimmed over.There’s a good amount written about what happens “after” the trilogy. From the game, to the theme park ride, to the various reactions from around the globe, to the merchandise (a hoverboard that doesn’t, well, hover), to the website and fan conventions. So this is quite interesting to read, but at the same time, felt rushed.The book runs to 268 pages, if you include the acknowledgements and index. I wish it had been that little longer, so part 3 and the finale aren’t quite so hurried. It’s a nice little book, and while I was shocked at hearing about serious the stunt woman’s injuries were, I don’t feel like I learned much else new from it. For me, I would lean towards buying the Visual History and getting more bang for your buck. Plus? This still seems quite expensive, for what is an unofficial book, in paperback no less. Whereas you’re paying just under £23, for a large format hardback, full of glossy pages ... but if you’re limited on space in your bookcase, get this, but don’t pay a lot of money for it. Because ultimately, your kids won’t love it. Ultimate Visual History

A superb book which brought back so many happy memories. As a huge fan of the BTTF trilogy I was very pleased to come across this book. It was great to read all about the behind the scenes issues and effort that it took to bring this superb trilogy to the screen. It’s made it even more special now I know how much the creators as well as the cast and crew cared about these movies. The only downside I felt was it would of made it extra special to have had more interviews with the cast like Michael J Fox but I can appreciate he must of been very difficult to get hold of. All in all this has become one of my favourites.

I am so sad, because I've finished the book! Now what!? I am a huge BTTF fan and have a wealth of knowledge under my future belt. But now I have even more trivia knowledge to impress people with thanks to this book. I couldn't put this down and even when I had to put it down, I was itching to dive back in whenever I could. This really is a MUST for BTTF fans worldwide. A wonderful, detailed insight into how this classic, amazingly brilliant (I did warn you how much I love it) film trilogy came into being. The background into everything and everyone involved, the trivia, the arguments (Yes, I mean you Crispin!), the anecdotes and more. So don't be a BUTTHEAD! Buy it!!

This book really is a great read, I am only on page 62 and I can't put it down, the author has really done his homework and pulled off some remarkable interviews with the creators, actors and everyone else involved from the BTTF series, it really is about everything you need to know and has so many stories about things I was unaware of! It is a great read, get it now!!!

Good book for real fans of the trilogy. Great insight especially into the first film, however it suffers for not having interviews with Michael J Fox, Tom Wilson & Crispin Glover - without them it can never quite be the definitive account. Well worth a read though and slot of research and time has gone into this.

I saw this movie in the theatre when it first came out so I enjoyed reading about behind the senses. The book goes a but over the top gushing over the movie but that's just a minor point. Overall enjoyed reading about it

Heard about this book just before lfcc last year and knew the author was gonna be there with it being back to the futures 30th anniversary and me being to a massive fan I had to get this book . I was gripped from start to finish and I love the research that must of been done to make this a compelling read .From one back to the future fan to another caseen Gaines I salute you ! And to top it off he signed my copy at lfcc 2015

Ok so this doesn't have anything by Michael J Fox, but that doesn't make this book any the less interesting and absorbing for the true BTTF fan like me. A very detailed and insightful read.

Bought as present for my son and he was delighted, Some facts missing he would have like to be seen written about but as a fan he enjoyed the book.

Great item, fast delivery!

Fantastic book for any BTTF fan! Insightful and a must have!

Amazing book

Nice insight for Back to the Future fans into the making and story behind Back to the Future, including picture sections of behind the scenes photographs

Great book, I now know even more about the film I have obsessed over as a child!

Book as expected. Very prompt delivery.