“If you’re going to make a documentary about a car, why not do it with some style?”

While Doc Brown may not have said those exact words when he unveiled his DeLorean Time Machine in the 1985 film, Back to the Future, the question posed definitely applies to the documentary film, OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine.  And to be very clear, the filmmakers have succeeded in making a documentary with a whole lot of heart and style.

The Time Machine as it looked unrestored on the Universal backlot.

Released to Blu-ray and DVD on July 19^th, 2016; OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine documents the incredible restoration of one of the most beloved movie cars of all time – Doc Brown’s DeLorean Time Machine from the Back to the Future Trilogy.  While it may have been the most iconic car in movie history, the car, itself, did not fare so well through the ravages of time, nature, and souvenir seekers.  On the verge of being erased from existence, the car found a savior in Back to the Future writer and producer, Bob Gale, and a team of over two dozen skilled fans who took on the job of bringing the DeLorean Time Machine back.

Covering a 1-year time span of restoration starting with recovery of the car from the Universal backlot to the final return of the car to museum-quality condition, director Steve Concotelli succeeds in providing fans with a detailed look into the literal nuts and bolts work of reviving an iconic movie car that demanded nothing less than absolute perfection.  And it is ‘absolute perfection’ that provides the true backdrop to the incredible story of revival and an introduction to the man behind the restoration’s ultimate success, Joe Walser.

Bob Gale, Joe Walser, and Terry Matalas during the Time Machine’s restoration.

Hand-picked by Bob Gale to restore the “A” car, Walser had earned his stripes as the de facto Time Machine replica creator long before he was given the keys to the original prop.  Walser was no stranger to the online community of DeLorean and Time Machine enthusiasts who pored over every minute detail of the car and its intricate parts for years.  While there were armchair archivists who argued over what they thought they knew about the cars used in the trilogy of films, Joe was busy building his own and making them as screen-accurate as possible … and it wasn’t long before Bob Gale took notice of his work.

The restoration crew working on the car.

Restoring a car that is 100% accurate to the film did not come without a challenge and in order to replicate every scratch, bolt, time circuit, and flux band, Joe had to enlist a group of restorers who were just as heavily involved as Joe in studying and building the DeLorean Time Machine.  Joe also needed to gather a crew who could put up with his mandate for absolute perfection — something that the documentary clearly shows caused a bit of friction from time to time (for the greater good). In the end, all of the frustration, long hours, and amount of work to restore the car paid off.

OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine is not so much a play-by-play of what’s involved with restoring a famous movie car (although it covers that quite well), it also shows how dedicated fans who believe in a cause can rally together to save an iconic piece of movie history from an untimely end.  What’s great about the documentary is that it also includes interviews with key players who were responsible for bringing the DeLorean Time Machine to life in the first place.  Bob Gale (Producer, BTTF trilogy), Michael Scheffe (Construction Coordinator, BTTF), and Michael Lantieri (Special Effects Supervisor BTTF 2 & 3) all provide a unique perspective on the use of the cars in the trilogy of films that eventually play into the ultimate restoration of the “A” car and its lasting legacy.

The fully restored DeLorean Time Machine.

For Back to the Future fans who have never had access to the original DeLorean Time Machine and never got a chance to see it in its deplorable pre-restoration condition, the documentary provides a way to go along on the journey and see movie magic literally come back to life.  Combined with a decent level of humor from the Restoration Team, the film is a fun ride and is, as Bob Gale said, “a Great Comeback Story.”

Beyond the Marquee has had close involvement with Steve Concotelli and the making of this film from Day 1, so we may be a little biased in our review.  However, having attended the premiere of the film and witnessed, first-hand, the comments of those who have seen it, we can say that OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine is well worth your time and is a must-have for any Back to the Future fan or DeLorean enthusiast.

The Time Machine unveiled at its new permanent home, the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The Blu-ray and DVD clock in with the 60 minute documentary and also include 30 minutes of Special Bonus Features including a Full-Length audio commentary with the Director, Steve Concotelli, and Restorer, Joe Walser, Deleted Scenes, the OUTATIME World Premiere, a Restoration photo gallery, trailer, and an addendum feature that documents the final destination of the DeLorean Time Machine at the Petersen Auto Museum.

For more information, visit the film’s main website at: http://www.outatimemovie.com/

Make sure to visit https://outatime-store.myshopify.com/  to get your copy of this great film and other fun collectible items celebrating this timeless documentary.

Beyond the Marquee does have an affiliation with the producers of ‘OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine’.  Beyond the Marquee and its employees do not receive any monetary compensation for this review or sales of the Blu-ray and featured products. 

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Trailer for OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine

OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine

A clip of the “A” car as it is unveiled in Back to the Future.

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