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Tornado!

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Tornado!
Promotional film poster
GenreAction
Drama
Written byJohn Logan
Directed byNoel Nosseck
StarringBruce Campbell
Shannon Sturges
Ernie Hudson
L. Q. Jones
Music byGarry Schyman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersRobert M. Sertner
Frank von Zerneck
ProducersArtie Mandelberg
Stacy Mandelberg
Randy Sutter
Ted Babcock (co-producer)
David C. Thomas (co-producer)
Production locationAustin, Texas
CinematographyPaul Maibaum
EditorsDavid Codron
Robert Florio
Running time89 minutes
Production companyHallmark Entertainment
Original release
NetworkFox
Release
  • May 7, 1996 (1996-05-07)

Tornado! is a 1996 American television film starring Bruce Campbell and Shannon Sturges, released on May 7, 1996. It was written by John Logan and directed by Noel Nosseck.[1]

Plot

Jake Thorne (Bruce Campbell) is a storm chaser whose friend and former graduate school advisor, Dr. Joe Branson (Ernie Hudson), has developed a machine that may be able to provide earlier tornado warnings. Samantha Callen (Shannon Sturges) is a government auditor who must determine whether Dr. Branson's project warrants more funding. Jake has to try to convince Samantha that the machine is worthwhile. During the process, Jake and Samantha become romantically attracted to each other, but powerful tornadoes threaten the lives of all the major characters. The film ends with Jake's father, Ephram, sacrifices himself to save his son by locking the storm cellar by nailing the door shut to make sure everyone is safe. The tornado takes Ephram, while everyone in the storm cellar starts to clean up and to look for survivors. Jake becomes upset that his father died, but Samantha tells him that he saved their lives, and that Jake must never let anything like this happen again.

Cast

Cast
Actor Character
Bruce Campbell Jake Thorne
Ernie Hudson Dr. Joe Branson
Shannon Sturges Samantha Callen
Bo Eason Tex Fulton
L.Q. Jones Ephram Thorne
Shannon Woodward Lucy

Filming

Tornado! was filmed primarily in Austin, Texas, including scenes at local Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate KTBC. The production company hired the KTBC Assistant Chief Engineer Brian Zwiener, who is also a local Austin, Texas musician/comedian, to assist in technical setup of the Panaflex cameras, among other duties. Brian was also asked to appear in a cameo during the climax of the film.[citation needed] The film runs 89 minutes, and has been released on VHS, DVD and Netflix. It is rated PG for some perilous weather sequences and mild language.

See also

References


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