Tornado! (TV 1996)

An accountant sent to produce an evaluation of a tornado research project, and the scientist running the project pursue tornadoes and each other.

Director:

Noel Nosseck

Writer:

John Logan

Stars:

Bruce Campbell, Shannon Sturges, Ernie Hudson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Campbell	...	Jake Thorne
Shannon Sturges	...	Samantha 'Sam' Callen
Ernie Hudson	...	Dr. Joe Branson
L.Q. Jones	...	Ephram Thorne
Bo Eason	...	Tex Fulton
Charles Homet	...	Richie Cochran
Carrie Boren	...	Mattie Peck
Aaron Izbicki	...	Oliver Nessle
John Mansfield	...	Andy Ward
Jeannie Fitzsimmons	...	Margie Ward
Juli Erickson	...	Zeena
Steve Flanagin	...	Mr. Peck
Mona Lee Fultz	...	Mrs. Peck
Carmen Nogales	...	Lucy's Mother
Shannon Woodward	...	Lucy

Storyline

Jake is a storm chaser whose friend Dr. Branson has developed a machine that can help detect tornados and provide earlier warnings. Samantha 'Sam' Callen is an auditor who has come to evaluate the project and decide whether more research should be conducted or not. Jake must try and make the machine work and also convince Sam not to shut down the research. They must also dodge tornados in the meantime.

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Plot Keywords:

research | tornado | storm | scientist | disaster | 

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Taglines:

Hell has no fury like a twister.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some perilous weather sequences and mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chasseurs de tornades

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Von Zerneck Sertner Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 84 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scenes in the newsroom of a fictitious TV studio, producers actually went to Austin, Texas then-rechristened FOX affiliate, KTBC.

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Goofs

Tornadoes don't have a calm center, most have mini-cyclones rotating around the main vortex.

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Quotes

Sam Callen: So, why are tornados always picking on Texas?
Dr. Branson: Could be the hats.

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Soundtracks

"I'm Worth It"
Written by John Hill, Austin Roberts, and Freddie Weller
Performed by Austin Roberts

User Reviews

Don't expect to be blown away.

"Tornado!" is actually quite similar to "Twister", so if you have seen that movie, then you know what you are in for here. But don't let that discourage you from watching the movie, because "Tornado!" actually is good entertainment.

Initially I picked up the movie because it had Bruce Campbell in it. And I must admit that I was sort of expecting his usual comedy-acting in the movie, so it was a rather nice surprise to see him acting seriously for a chance, and he really did a good job at it as well.

The story is about Jake Thorne (played by Bruce Campbell) and Dr. Joe Branson (played by Ernie Hudson) who are chasing after tornadoes in order to study them for future predictions. The government sends out an official to get results or have their project shut down, this is Samantha Callen (played by Shannon Sturges).

"Tornado!" doesn't boast the best of CGI effects or special effect, but whatever effects they did use actually worked out well enough, though at times I could have wanted a bit more furious effects to make it seem that the tornado was actually there and being rampant. But overall, the effects were adequate enough. Just don't expect to be dazzled by state-of-the-art CGI.

If you like disaster movies, then "Tornado!" is definitely worth giving a chance, because it is far better than so many other doomsday-like disaster movies available. And if you are a fan of Bruce Campbell, then you should most definitely check out this particular movie.