12 Most Heart-Stopping Sci-Fi Movie Scenes Ever
11. The Lighting Clocktower Scene - Back To The Future
A more fun 'heart in mouth' scene, the epic finale for the original Back to the Future film is as exciting and exhilarating as film climaxes get. Having just brought his parents back together and thus saving his own future, Marty McFly makes his way back to the time travelling Delorian in preparation for his trip back to 1985.
This scene of the movie could easily have fallen flat without strong execution, but thankfully it proves to be the highlight of the film. After Marty and past Doc make a fond farewell, Doc finds the note telling him of future events, but tears it up before he can read it. Marty's efforts to tell Doc what will happen literally falls on deaf ears, before the whole plan goes to hell.
While Marty's inability to start the Delorian raises the tension levels, it is Doc's frantic efforts to ensure his contraption is properly connected that keeps us on the edge of our seats. Christopher Lloyd is amazing here, making you believe that Doc truly is hanging on for his life from the hour hand of the clocktower.
The moment when Doc uses the wires as a flying fox in an effort to plug in a cable with seconds to spare is great stuff, allowing for a truly earned fist pumping finale.