VHS Screener - Back to the Future III (NTSC) Rare Promo
 
ODD Movie Facts
Michael J. Fox was nearly hanged for real: In the scene where Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen attempts to lynch Marty, Michael J. Fox volunteered to film the choking scene himself to make it look more realistic. He miscalculated the tension, the rope accidentally choked him, and he actually passed out for a short time. The crew initially thought it was excellent acting.
Christopher Lloyd's first on-screen kiss: Despite a long acting career, the kiss shared between Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen) in the film was the first on-camera kiss of Christopher Lloyd's career.
Ronald Reagan was offered a role: The filmmakers, knowing President Reagan was a fan of the first film, offered him the cameo role of the 1885 Mayor of Hill Valley. Reagan, who had just finished his second term, reportedly considered it but declined.
Mary Steenburgen was convinced by her children: Steenburgen was initially reluctant to take the role of Clara Clayton until her children, who loved the original movie, "hounded" her to do it.
Western legends had cameos: The three "saloon old-timers" (Harry Carey Jr., Pat Buttram, and Dub Taylor) were all veteran character actors famous for their roles in classic Western films.
Production and Continuity Details
Shot back-to-back: Parts II and III were filmed back-to-back over an intense eleven-month period with just a three-week break in between. Director Robert Zemeckis spent weeks flying between the remote 1885 train sets in Northern California and the editing suite in Los Angeles daily.
ZZ Top caused an on-set party: The rock band ZZ Top, who provided the song "Doubleback" for the soundtrack, appear in the film as the town's band. During a break while waiting for a camera repair, Michael J. Fox asked them to play "Hey Good Lookin'". A two-hour jam session ensued, which Zemeckis allowed to continue, as he didn't want to stop the "party".
The "Frisbee" invention: When Marty uses a "Frisbie's" pie plate to knock a gun out of Mad Dog's hand, it's a nod to history. The real Frisbie Pie Company started in Connecticut in 1871, and Yale students tossing the empty pans led to the invention of modern Frisbees.
Doc's shirt foreshadowing: The distinctively patterned shirt Doc Brown wears for much of Part II (featuring images of cowboys and horses) is later used in Part III as a bandana/balaclava when he and Marty "steal" the train engine.
Real train, miniature crash: A real, working 1880s steam locomotive was used for all live-action shots. However, the actual fiery crash of the train into the ravine at the end was achieved using a highly detailed, one-quarter scale miniature model to ensure safety and precision.