Night of the Twisters (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Timothy Bond

Writers (WGA):

Ivy Ruckman (novel)
Sam Graham (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

14 February 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Plot:

A Nebraska farm community is plagued by a storm with a series of tornados acting against normal patterns...

Plot Keywords:

Tornado | Nebraska | Working Mom | Stepfather Stepson Relationship | Strict Father

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Devon Sawa	...	Dan Hatch
Amos Crawley	...	Arthur Jones
John Schneider	...	Jack Hatch
Lori Hallier	...	Laura Hatch
Laura Bertram	...	Stacey Jones
David Ferry	...	Bob Irisen
Helen Hughes	...	Grandma Belle Hatch
Jhene Erwin	...	Jenny
Alex Lastewka	...	Ryan
Thomas Lastewka	...	Ryan
Megan Kitchen	...	Ronnie Vae
Graham McPherson	...	Calvert
Ted Simonett	...	Stan
Dan Petronijevic	...	Tough Guy (as Daniel Petronijevic)
Don Allison	...	Phil

Runtime:

Germany:92 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Atlantis Films Limited

Goofs:

Continuity: In the first scene at the end of the bike race, Dan has an earring - until he and Arthur go for a ride. From then on, it is missing.

Quotes:

Arthur Jones: [the words "TORNADO WARNING" are flashing on the TV screen] What does that thing mean?
Dan Hatch: It basically means we're in deep trouble.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Where's Helen Hunt?

TV version of "Twister" springs a few leaks but manages to remain watchable. My sister bought this at a Wal-Mart a few years back when it was released, I saw it back then and thought it was okay. Later "Twister" with Bill Pullman and Helen Hunt comes out (or was it before? I think it was '97) and did a better job overall. But "Twister" was more silly fun; this is realistic with a message. It all depends on what you want from a movie with twisters: Twisters, or a low-budget character study?

John Schneider and Devon Sawa (he's the reason my sister bought it) star, and Devon Sawa, who went on to "Wild America," "Final Destination" and "Slackers" got his big break here. So in a way, I was one of the first people to see him really take off. I don't know if it's an honor or a shame, I haven't seen how he acts in recent films.

"Night of the Twisters" all depends on personal taste, like I said, it all depends on what you want from a movie with twisters: Twisters, or a low-budget character study. "Night of the Twister" has the latter. So you decide.

I give it a 2.5/5...

- John Ulmer