As a film enthusiast who grew up in the ’90s, I hold a special place in my heart for movies that defined the decade. Among those that left a lasting impression on me is “Twister,” a rollercoaster ride of a disaster flick that had everyone talking about tornadoes and meteorology back in the day. But beyond its impact on pop culture, there’s an intriguing human story behind the scenes that I recently rediscovered while rewatching this classic film.
I warn myself not to breathe, not to turn around, for fear of missing out on “Twisters,” the delightful and commendable summer blockbuster that Looper’s review described as a refreshing revamp of a beloved classic. With the new installment, led by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell, releasing almost three decades after the original Twister graced our screens in 1996, it’s incredible how they’ve managed to recapture all that thrilling excitement and offer fans another unforgettable ride.
If you’ve been away from “Twister” for 30 years like us, it might be worth giving it another watch to remind yourself of the story. Starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton as storm chasers, this ’90s blockbuster was a massive success, earning almost half a billion dollars at the global box office. As you settle in for a rewatch at home, you’ll likely find that your interpretation of certain scenes has evolved significantly.
We can’t help but view the movie “Twister” in light of the many surprising events that have emerged since its premiere. From controversies over hepatitis vaccines and physical fights to creative special effects and actual tornadoes, we’ve compiled this information for you in one article, ensuring a clear understanding as you prepare for your next viewing.
Director Jan de Bont was originally supposed to direct Godzilla
Disaster movies, such as “Twister,” have been around since John Ford’s 1937 film “The Hurricane.” However, the former stands out as a unique and vibrant addition to the genre. This is largely due to director Jan de Bont, who was then recognized for his work on the 1994 action film “Speed,” featuring Keanu Reeves. Prior to that, de Bont had an impressive career as a cinematographer, capturing iconic scenes in movies like “The Hunt for Red October,” “Basic Instinct,” and “Die Hard.” Although “Speed” demonstrated his capability of managing complex technical projects, his subsequent plan was not for “Twister.” Instead, he intended to bring the first American adaptation of “Godzilla” to life.
De Bont spent a considerable period working on “Godzilla,” but unfortunately, his project disintegrated due to financial disputes. Excited by technological advancements, the director sought to revolutionize visual effects in his upcoming venture. Just as fortune would have it, producer Steven Spielberg approached de Bont about directing “Twister.” Given his recent departure from a creature-themed production, de Bont proposed a concept for the film: the title storm wasn’t merely a natural occurrence but a monstrous entity with distinct character traits. In his own words to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he described it as a “Grimm fairy tale where the monster emerges from dark clouds.” Hence, one can envision Godzilla replacing tornadoes in some scenes of “Twister.”
The screenwriters were inspired by a rom-com
Michael Crichton, the talented author behind “Jurassic Park” and “Westworld,” collaborated with his then-wife and retired horror actor Anne-Marie Martin on the screenplay for “Twister.” While Jan de Bont took inspiration from films like “Godzilla” and “The Wizard of Oz,” Crichton and Martin approached the story from a different angle – a romantic comedy perspective.
Following the achievement of “Twister’s” box office triumph, allegations of plagiarism emerged, but were ultimately discarded during subsequent lawsuits. These claims shed light on Michael Crichton’s creative process for the 1996 movie. In his testimony, he shared that after watching an episode of “Nova,” specifically Season 12, Episode 17 entitled “Tornado!” (broadcast in 1985), he and his co-writer were inspired to pen a story revolving around tornadoes, similar to the one portrayed in “Twister.”
The writing team didn’t make significant progress until Martin proposed they draw inspiration from the past, specifically from the time period of films like “The Hurricane.” However, instead of directly copying elements from that disaster movie, she aimed to explore the romantic and professional rivalries depicted in “His Girl Friday.” This approach influenced the development of the film’s secondary storylines, which may explain why some viewers, including Helen Hunt herself, view “Twister” as a hidden romance-comedy.
The temperature on set was tense
As a gamer, I’d put it this way: The initial hints of romance in the “Twister” storyline didn’t translate into a peaceful set experience. Instead, it felt more like an intense and emotional rollercoaster ride, similar to “Marriage Story.” Reports suggest that there were heated arguments, possibly even physical altercations, and perhaps some harsh words exchanged between team members, particularly towards director Jan de Bont.
In a highly critical 1995 report published by Entertainment Weekly, it came to light that around 20 to 40 members of the film crew quit during production, with cinematographer Don Burgess leading the exodus. This mass departure was attributed to alleged verbal and physical mistreatment from director de Bont. Known for exploding in anger on set, de Bont frequently shouted the expletive “f***ing hell s**t.” In one instance, he reportedly berated Burgess’s team as “incompetent.” Additionally, it was claimed that de Bont physically pushed a camera assistant who had unwittingly entered the shooting area during filming. De Bont confirmed this incident in his interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating, “I called ‘action,’ and he stepped into the scene.” As a result of such disruptions, valuable performances were consistently lost.
Looking back, it’s astonishing that the movie came into being with Burgess initially involved, given that he eventually dropped out and was taken over by Jack N. Green.
Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt were often in actual danger
Jan de Bont faced numerous challenges outside the set while filming “Twister,” which added to his frustrations with the crew. External logistical issues, such as using noisy wind machines and filming during bad weather, including thunderstorms with funnel clouds and strong winds common in Oklahoma, made production difficult. The weather was erratic and extreme, with rain in the morning followed by sunshine a few hours later, only to be replaced by fierce winds. The team also encountered real tornadoes during filming, which were just one of many dangers faced by Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and other cast members.
As a gamer, I can tell you this: When you observe Jo and Bill’s harrowing scenes in the movie, don’t forget that the actors themselves went through similar experiences. In the initial action sequence where they crash their truck into a muddy ditch while trying to escape a tornado, the water in that pit was reportedly so questionable that Hunt and Paxton needed hepatitis shots before filming. And afterward, they dealt with the blinding elements.
To create an authentic appearance of hazardous weather conditions, the team utilized powerful, 16,000-watt light bulbs for filming, momentarily affecting the actors’ vision afterwards. Additionally, during the production of a chase scene, Hunt unfortunately got hit by a car door, sparking rumors that she sustained a concussion from the incident.
The farmhouse was destroyed after filming
For film enthusiasts who enjoy exploring the actual sites where their beloved movies were produced, here’s some disappointing information: The farmhouse depicted in certain parts of “Twister” does indeed have a real-life counterpart. Sadly, this historic site no longer stands – it was unfortunately demolished by a genuine tornado.
In the spring of 2010, I found myself in Oklahoma as six tornadoes struck the region simultaneously. One of these twisters made its way to Fairfax farm, a place familiar from films. As the storm hit, I, being the owner of Fairfax farm, could only watch in disbelief as the real tornado followed a path remarkably similar to that of the film’s tornado. Sadly, nine structures on my land were destroyed during this natural disaster. Despite the devastation, I was relieved that no harm came to my family.
Around the same time that the blockbuster film “Twister” hit theaters, a drive-in movie theater in Canada suffered devastation from a tornado. While some stories circulate suggesting the theater was showing “Twister” at the time of the storm, this isn’t true; the inclement weather prevented any movie from starting there.
Hunt helped shape the female characters’ relationships
Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin initially wrote the “Twister” screenplay, but the film’s final version was penned by a few other writers, including Steven Zaillian, Jeff Nathanson, and Joss Whedon. Helen Hunt played a role in editing some parts of the script that could have caused controversy.
In an interview with Vulture in 2020, Hunt shared that earlier versions of the script contained a catty interaction between herself and her female co-stars, specifically Jami Gertz who portrayed Bill Harding’s new fiancée Melissa Reeves. Hunt expressed her displeasure, stating, “I didn’t find that appealing to play or watch. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a part of that.” However, Hunt revealed that director Jan de Bont promoted collaboration on set, which inspired her to propose an alternate perspective for Jo and Melissa’s relationship.
Due to the large number of writers involved in the script, Hunt found it challenging to recall who was responsible for which parts. However, her decision to voice her opinion significantly impacted her friendship with Gertz and their on-screen chemistry. “We became closely connected as characters and actors during filming,” she explained. “I admired her greatly, and she went through a tough time too.”
The tornado’s roar combined many different sounds
Jan de Bont skillfully portrayed the tornado as if it were a terrifying monster through his staging of action and destruction. However, the visuals alone weren’t enough to fully convey this menace. To amplify the fear factor, the sound designers added realistic sounds from various sources, including notoriously, a camel’s moan.
In specific scenes where you pay close attention, such as when Hunt and Paxton got vaccinated for hepatitis before us, the tornado makes an unusual, unrecognizable roar. This sound isn’t quite like a lion’s roar but more like altered camel noises, which were lowered in pitch by supervising sound editor Stephen Hunter Flick. As mentioned in Keay Davidson’s book “Twister: The Science of Tornadoes and the Making of a Natural Disaster Movie,” Flick was fond of these moans due to their “cavernous” resonance that “captured the ominous grandeur of a tornado.” He also humorously referred to it as “wet, mournful, and unpleasant.”
Davidson mentioned that the sound design team created car-mounted recording gadgets, consisting of a microphone enclosed in a box with chicken wire to capture tornado noises for the movie. Their dedication was rewarded when “Twister” received a nomination for Best Sound Design at the 1997 Academy Awards.
The film increased interest in meteorology in Oklahoma
As a gamer, I can relate to the challenge of making meteorologists seem like exciting action heroes. It’s not an easy sell, I admit. But if you picture a meteorologist in your mind as a thrilling storm chaser, a la Bill Paxton from Twister, then it might just inspire a new generation of Oklahoman kids to consider meteorology as their future career.
Five years after the release of “Twister” in theaters, my fascination with tornadoes grew from a casual interest into an all-consuming passion. As a high school student in 1996, I watched the film obsessively once every month, eventually leading me to pursue a career in meteorology and storm chasing. The impact of “Twister” on Oklahoma University was profound; its meteorology program experienced a remarkable 50% increase in interest, with the student body nearly doubling in size.
In 2017, when Paxton passed away at the age of 61 due to heart surgery complications, a group of storm trackers arranged for data points to form his initials over Kansas and Oklahoma as a heartfelt tribute to the significant influence he had left on the community.
Bill Paxton was bracing for a career downturn
Despite the massive success of “Twister” at the box office, Bill Paxton expressed worry during filming that negative critic reception would harm his reputation in Hollywood. In an interview with Telegram and Gazette in 1997, the actor then aged 42, voiced his concern, stating, “I knew critically they (critics) would target me once ‘Twister’ was released.”
As a seasoned actor with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but empathize with Bill Paxton’s concerns about delivering a credible performance in a chaotic film production environment. Having faced similar challenges myself, I understand how disheartening it is to see the fruits of one’s labor receive less-than-favorable reviews.
While feeling the pressure and anxious about my current project, “Twister,” I decided to tackle my next film, “Traveller,” even during its production. I seized the opportunity to give cinematographer Jack N. Green his directorial debut as well. Following that, I took another risk in my career by working on James Cameron’s “Titanic.” (As a gamer, it feels like leveling up, taking on new challenges despite the anxiety and uncertainty.)
Twister helped make movies like itself go extinct
Jan de Bont was attracted to projects such as “Twister” and “Godzilla” back in 1996 due to the exciting progress being made in visual effects technology. He was awed by the interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, expressing his amazement that anything one could imagine could now be brought to life on screen. However, the director now ponders if this mindset has influenced filmmaking in a less favorable way.
After “Twisters” was produced without his participation, the director regretted how much the new film deviated from his vision due to extensive use of CGI effects by the studios. He recalled how authentic the original scenes were, such as when objects truly fell from the sky and real ice pellets hit the cameras during a car’s escape from a tornado. Unfortunately, those elements cannot be recreated in the same way again.
Revisiting “Twister” now brings back memories of an era in filmmaking that isn’t too long ago. Today’s emerging directors, such as Lee Isaac Chung who made “Twister,” might even feel like they’re chasing after storms, holding on to the hope that they can recapture that past success once more.
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2024-07-19 04:31