Product Details

• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wgbh Boston
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304463235
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,112 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This PBS documentary tells the true story of storm chasers, the men and women who risk their lives to record the power of dangerous tornadoes at close range (dramatized in the 1996 blockbuster Twister). Here, though, the special effects are real. Dedicated scientists from the National Severe Storms Laboratory, located in the heart of "Tornado Alley," drive into areas where storms are forecast to place their Totable Tornado Observatory (with the apt acronym TOTO) directly in the path of the most dangerous twisters. The program explains, in lucid and fascinating detail, how tornadoes develop, as well as the steps being taken to predict them with greater accuracy and thereby save lives. (Doppler radar technology was just coming into use in 1985, when this documentary was made; hopes were high for this innovation.) The film then focuses on the people of tiny Barneveld, Wisconsin, a town leveled by a devastating tornado in 1984. In the words of one Barneveld citizen, her "sense of well-being was thrown away, literally." The film's genuine storm footage is spectacular; its real human stories are both chilling and tragic. --Laura Mirsky

Product Description

Travel with the "stormchasers" as they view the awesome power of tornadoes sweeping across the land and seek to understand how they are created.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best one out there, May 10, 2005

By 

Geno - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nova: Tornado [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've seen a number of tornado documentaries and have to say this one is the best I've seen. You get wrapped up in the storyline as the scientists and interns from the National Severe Storms Laboratory plan their chase.
Unlike other documentaries that are slapped together with some footage to try and sell you something, you immediately sense how genuine these scientists are. You can tell how passionate and sincere they are about their fascination with severe storms (tornadoes) ... This one is a keeper, one you'll want to watch several times.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Watched it once, January 18, 2007

By 

Karsten Weiss - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nova: Tornado [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I purchased it for my students to show them the power of wind. Old footage, not great in comparison to what is shown on TV. Never showed ot to my students because it is just not "cool" enough. I am sure if this documentary was redone by NOVA today it would be significantly better. If you are looking for short impressive footage you will have more luck on the internet.