Twister = Oz's Power - I respect both movies, now!

by Geoffrey Grant
(Munster, Indiana, USA)

This movie captured the danger of a twister of any size. I was at a Jellystone campground on a sunny day and witnessed a waterspout-like dust devil strip the surrounding shore of their retention pond of its beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas, blankets, towels and plastic floatation devices in less than 2 minutes. Like the farm equipment floating through the air, it was quite surreal and dream-like, the experience within 200' of the event. I saw it form and told my family to move away from the water body just in time.

Weather in Films

I enjoyed this movie, as it is slow to develop into a fast moving affair and gave me the respect that we all should have for weather events involving wind. Not all storms develop into twisters, but then again, twisters are not all identified before they occur - a great mystery to all weather buffs and farmers. The Wizard of Oz touches on the mystery of wind power and pushed fear into me as a boy.

From Barry - Thanks Grant. Interesting thought...Here's a way to highlight the shared theme of wind's raw, almost magical (and dangerous) power in Twister along with The Wizard of Oz. I start with

A comparison,

analyzing specific scenes, messages, or emotional impacts from both movies:

- Tornadoes are portrayed realistically and scientifically in some aspect at least, but certainly emotionally.
- The mystical, dreamlike tornado that transports Dorothy was more mystical, but still terrifying. We saw something magical and terrifying about the house spinning in the sky. A few years later, Twister stripped away the fantasy, showing tornadoes for what they are. The wind's uncontrollable force left us in awe.

Both movies played with our understanding of wind events. If I were to do so, spending a day at Jellystone campground could be like living out scenes from both movies. While the dust devil you mention wasn't a full-blown tornado, watching chairs and umbrellas dance through the air must've been something like walking through Oz, while its sheer speed and power echoed Twister. Whether on screen or in real life, wind can humble anyone.

In general, this Movie comparison (themes, feelings, specific scenes) gives us a chance to reflect on both films and nature, fear, and respect.



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