MovieChat Forums > Back to the Future (1985) Discussion > The letter.

The letter.

posted 5 years ago by Obifuntoknowme (1149)
2 replies | jump to latest

“Well I figured, what the hell”.

Just been wondering about this and realise it has probably been covered before but - after Marty had left 1955 and gone Back to the Future how long do you think the Doc waited before opening Marty’s letter’ ?

I know the letter clearly stated ‘do not open until 1985’ but does anyone think that the Doc maybe just opened it straightaway after Marty had gone (perhaps in response to missing his friend) ? Or do you think the Doc actually waited 30 years before opening it? Would he of been able to resist opening it all those years?

[–] strntz (12773) 5 years ago

Either of those two scenarios are just as likely as the other and there is a third option. Doc decided to save the letter yes, but we don't know if he decided to read it immediately, read it in 1985, or just hold on to it and decide later whether to read it or not.

As to whether Doc could resist opening it until 1985, that one is easy: he could resist if he thought that was the best way of saving himself while preserving the space/time continuum as best he could.

[–] TheEndIsNigh (509) 3 months ago

I think he taped it back together as soon as he got home.

There's a difference between knowing Marty came from the future and seeing the time machine, and actually witnessing it working. He looks absolutely stunned for a minute or so before cheering that it worked and he'd gone. As if he had an epiphany. No one after seeing that and hearing those words "There's something I haven't told you about that night" would have the mental strength to wait 30 years before opening a letter.