The biggest film of 1985 has become the biggest cinematic event of 2014 thanks to Secret Cinema bringing it back into the forefront of fans’ minds, and presenting Back To the Future (a film we called an “un-aging classic”) as you’ve never seen it before; but after a tidal wave of bad press (making national headlines) following opening week cancellations with little explanation, and a tirade of ticked-off fans taking to social media to voice their discontent, has Fabien Riggall’s Secret Cinema managed to deliver the goods? Does the event now live up to the original hype? And is Secret Cinema Presents Back to The Future everything fans hoped it would be?
Yes. In a word, it does. Largely because Secret Cinema‘s entire ethos is exceptionally unique; while the big chain-cinemas may show the odd classic now and then (Back To the Future itself was given a short re-release just a couple of years ago, promoting the 25th Anniversary of the film), it’s always just your bog standard screening; what Secret Cinema gives you is an event, a once in a lifetime chance to view a classic movie as you’ve never seen it before; in this instance, literally stepping into Marty McFly’s world, and seeing the magnificent movie screened outdoors, in an exceptional recreation of Hill Valley.
Yet it’s not just the set, or the film itself, which provides the entertainment, and being a Secret Cinema event the night even starts before you arrive in Hill Valley; boarding the train and travelling to the Secret London location (revealed to ticket holders a few days before they arrive, or widely available to anyone with access to Google) is like stepping onto a 1950’s rail car, because with a 1955 dress code, and everyone attending being a true fan of the film, you’re all heading to the same place, and all decked out in ’50s gear, creating an accidental additional element to the show, which begins as soon as you step off the train. Actors line the streets up to the set, loudly telling you which way to go to “The Hill Valley Fair”, and as the parade of ’50s styled people snake up the street you pass a number of the show’s main stars, with Marty McFly skateboarding past, Biff’s gang teasing passers by, and Lorraine Baines quietly walking past with her school books before arguing with Biff; all adding an additional element, and subtly drawing you further into what’s going to be an exceptional night.
Photo by Al Overdrive
When entering Hill Valley you will be required to deposit your phone, and any camera you have (a brilliant move submerging you deeper into the 1955 time zone, where smartphones didn’t exist), before being given several hours to explore a replica of the pristine California town; including not only house estates (allowing you to explore the domiciles of some of Hill Valley’s best known residents), and the iconic town square (completely surrounded by shops and stalls, such as a frock shop, record store, barbers, hair salon, old fashioned comic book store, printing press, and Hill Valley’s own radio station, as well as the immaculate Texaco garage), but the high school, the ranch owned by Pine-breeding farmer Otis Peabody, Lou’s diner, and even a small fair ground complete with swing carousel, and Ferris wheel.
As well as being able to explore the town, and it’s buildings, while finding the myriad of fan-pleasing touches which fill each location to bursting point, actors also line the streets and corridors of Hill Valley delivering various pieces of subtle yet ever so immersive performance art; from things as simple as standing around talking to one another about ’50s records, or seeing the mayor deliver re-election speeches, to the sheriff chastising people for jaywalking, or being able to visit the town’s own radio station and watch the live broadcasting (so much effort has gone into crafting a believable town that there’s not only a working radio station, with some obvious, and some not so obvious, song choices, but a working post office, and telephone service operational within), and throughout the night, the show’s main stars (Marty, Doc Brown, Biff, Lorraine, and George) even act out a number of scenes from the movie (all to a high level of clearly crowd pleasing success).
As there’s no timetable available (and actors remain so stringent on not breaking character they’re unlikely to inform you when the film will begin – “what film?” A Hill Valley resident is likely to reply), it’d be easy to miss any of the little scenes and performances occurring during the evening, though somehow this makes stumbling upon them all the more enjoyable (and feels like you’ve somehow won when you do find one), but as long as you don’t stand still, you’re night is likely to be filled with little surprises (though it’s highly advised you take a blanket, and stake your claim on a prime piece of town square grass early on, ready for the screening later on; if possible we’d recommend sitting on the left hand side, near the Main Street).
Photo by Al Overdrive
When the film does start, it quickly becomes apparent that the interactive elements of the show haven’t ended, and while a lot of what’s going on can prove distracting to the film itself, it’s indescribably awesome at the same time (largely in ways which can’t be fully explained without spoiling a collection of brilliant and inventive surprises), and creates a true experience out of the whole show; allowing you to enjoy the movie in an entirely new medium (with elements similar to the T2:3D experience at Universal Studios), making it an event not to be missed.
It’s not all roses and clover however, as despite being in 1955 the various food outlets certainly don’t stick to 1955 prices; you’ll undoubtedly need food and drink while you’re in Hill Valley, and not only will you need to pay over-inflated prices for the privilege (although that privilege does allow you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grab a Pepsi Free in Lou’s Diner), but you’ll have to use cash, and while there are a number of cashpoints available in the Hill Valley Bank, they’re not above charging you an arm and a leg to make a withdrawal. Our advice would be to take plenty of cash with you, and be prepared to spend it, as not only is the food and drink expensive, but there are a lot of little extras you’ll want to come away with; not only souvenir photos, mugs, and t-shirts, but life-preservers, rubix cubes, and vintage comic books to name a few.
It’s also a true shame the opening week’s shows were cancelled, because even though the people at Secret Cinema have done everything to refund customers, or allow them to exchange tickets and attend the show on a different date, it means a lot of fans lost faith in the production, and many still won’t be able to enjoy it at all; a real shame because, now that Secret Cinema Presents Back To The Future is fully operational, it’s fantastic, and attending on any of the still available dates would completely restore fans’ faith in the company. As soon as you step into Hill Valley the bad PR gets washed away, and you quickly realise the amount of effort which has gone into staging this indescribable feat of modern cinema; a truly immersive experience which is so good, packed full of so many minute fan-pleasing details, and pulled-off so meticulously, it’ll not only give you a whole new appreciation for an already classic film you undoubtedly love, but make you want to re-watch it straight away.
Each of the main stars perform their individual roles well (both when re-enacting certain scenes, or simply wandering, skateboarding, or driving, around Hill Valley and interacting with the audience), they clearly know the subject material, and are fairly skilled at ad-libbing when needs be. They may not be Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, or Crispin Glover, but in their own way each of the actors embodies their role to the point of picking up characters traits (ticks, scratches, body language, etc.), and do a great job of enhancing a spectacular, but somewhat surreal, experience (it’s slightly odd, but utterly amazing, to think you could actually spend time sitting with Lorraine Baines in the Hill Valley town square, get scolded by Strickland in the High School, and even attend the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance).
But, what everyone really wants to know, given the fairly secretive nature of Secret Cinema, is whether or not the ticket price (with standard tickets coming in at £53 a head) is worth it? And of course it is. Sure you’re going to watch a film which was released nearly 30 years ago, but that film is Back To The Future; the biggest film of 1985, a true cinematic gem, and a film with “practically limitless appeal”; and not only will you be seeing it outdoors (luckily during a wonderfully warm summer), but sitting in the Hill Valley town square, part of an excellent recreation of Hill Valley which amps up the nostalgia factor, surrounds you with ‘50s, and ‘80s culture, and engulfs you in a sea of like-minded fans who will all be just as excited as you to enjoy this wonderfully unique, truly brilliant cinematic experience.
Photo by Laura Little
Food and drink is expensive, and there may have been more good will towards the show had the tickets prices been a little higher (£75 maybe?) in order to subsidise and lower those costs, but at the end of the evening, with everything you’ve seen and done, that’ll be the last thing on your mind; you’ve just watched Back To The Future, you’ve sat in the Hill Valley square and looked at the clock tower, you were teased by Biff, spoke to the Doc, and drank a Pepsi in Lou’s before heading out onto the grass, grabbing a cocktail, and sitting amongst thousands of like-minded Back To The Future fans (young and old), and experiencing one of the best films ever made like you’ll never get to again; in an evening so well produced, and so immersive, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re actually in London.
If you can go you should, because after attending a Secret Cinema show, you’ll realise how wrong the chain cinemas have got it, and that this, immersive, interactive, experience is the new, and best, way to view a cinematic classic. Back To The Future was the biggest film of 1985, now, thanks to Secret Cinema, it’s also the biggest cinematic event of 2014, and at £53 a ticket, it’s a steal. So why don’t you make like a tree… and get out of here; straight to the Secret Cinema ticket office?
Coming highly recommended, Secret Cinema Presents Back to the Future runs until 31 August and tickets are available via www.secretcinema.org/tickets
You can also find our Back To The Future movie review here.
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
