Original artwork, not a still
Roads? Where we're going we don't need...roads.
— Back to the Future ‧ 1985
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Doc Brown says it to Marty and Jennifer at the end of the 1985 film as the DeLorean lifts off, waving away Marty's worry that there is no road to take off from. The joke is that where he is going needs none, and it points straight at the sequels. Fans use it as a rallying cry for any ambitious leap, and Ronald Reagan quoted it in his 1986 State of the Union address.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Back to the FutureShow the scene
Back in 1985, Marty has barely been reunited with Jennifer when Doc lands the DeLorean in the driveway, insisting that Marty come back to the future with him because something has to be done about his kids. Doc refuels Mr. Fusion with rubbish from the bin, the three of them climb in, and Marty warns that there isn't enough road to get up to 88. This is Doc's answer: he pulls down his sunglasses, the car lifts into the air, and the film ends with them flying off into the future.
Sources (1)
- Futurepedia: Back to the Future/TranscriptTranscript, final sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
