Summary
- Doc Brown's iconic quotes in Back to the Future range from hilarious to insightful, showcasing his three-dimensional character.
- Doc's unexpected language and scientific prowess added humor and depth to his character throughout the films.
- Doc's philosophical quote at the end of Back to the Future Part III emphasizes the power of shaping one's future.
Dr. Emmett Brown from the Back to the Future franchise was one of the greatest movie characters ever created and was responsible for some of the best quotes in the beloved science fiction series. With an iconic portrayal by Christopher Lloyd, the eccentric and strange Doc Brown invented the DeLorean time machine, assisted Marty McFly in his adventures, and was always on hand for a clever scientific explanation, a hilariously out-of-touch cultural reference, or a fast-thinking, witty quip. Back to the Future would just not be the same without the marvelous genius that was Doc Brown.
With a major role in all three Back to the Future movies, Doc had plenty of memorable quotes throughout the series that ranged from absurdly funny to poignant and insightful. Although Doc often came across as the typical deranged mad scientist type, throughout the series, Doc proved to be a three-dimensional character whose important friendship with Marty gave the films their innate heart. The best Doc Brown quotes truly rank among the greatest movie quotes of all time.
10 “If You're Gonna Build A Time Machine Into A Car, Why Not Do It With Some Style?”
Back to the Future (1985)
Back to the Future
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Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Release Date
- July 3, 1985
- Cast
- Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson
- Runtime
- 116 minutes
Perhaps the most famous time machine ever, the DeLorean vehicle in the Back to the Future franchise became truly iconic. With a sleek and stylish design, gull-winged doors, and a stainless-steel exterior, the production of this car was short-lived, and despite its cool aesthetic, the DeLorean Motor Company failed and was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1982, and the car was put out of production. While today, the DeLorean has been forever linked with Back to the Future, the car's troubled production history added extra humor to Doc Brown’s love for the car.
This troubled production history, as well as the company’s founder, John DeLorean, being charged with cocaine smuggling in 1982 (via People), highlighted how out of touch Doc was with current events. Although the car did look incredibly cool, its discontinuation and criminal associations were the reason Marty McFly was so shocked to see that Doc chose this, of all cars, for his machine. However, looking back today, it’s hard to deny Doc’s assertion that if “you’re gonna build a time machine into a car,” then “why not do it with some style?”
9 “If My Calculations Are Correct, When This Baby Hits 88 Miles Per Hour, You're Gonna See Some Serious S***.”
Back to the Future (1985)
Doc Brown was a true man of science who was always clued to the exact requirements needed to get results throughout all the Back to the Future movies. This was prominently seen in his calculation of how to travel back in time and achieve things that no man before him ever had. This stern, level-headed, and genius mind was also in direct opposition to his manic, over-the-top energy as Doc frantically explained his ingenious plans and occasionally used language that would not normally be expected from a PG movie.
When Doc told Marty McFly that if his “calculations are correct” and once the DeLorean hit “88 miles per hour,” they were going to see “some serious s***,” it was one of this mad scientist’s funniest lines as it was so unexpected. Doc couldn’t help but curse as he passionately showed Marty the vehicle that was about to take off from the Twin Pines Mall car park and go on a journey through time. This was one of Doc’s most memorable lines that highlighted his pride in achieving his life’s work.