I first saw Night of the Twisters on TV in early 1996. I was only 8 years old at the time and remember loving it the first time I saw it. I taped the movie on VHS and remember watching it over and over again during the lead-up to Jan de Bont's "Twister" which came out a few months later. It was this movie that got me interested in tornadoes. I had read the book by Ivy Ruckman when I was in school, and it has always been one of my favourite books. And despite the movie not being as good as the book, it is still a nice little film.The story revolves around teenager Dan (Devon Sawa) who has trouble getting along with his stepfather Jack (John Schneider). He is also getting used to having a new baby brother. During the night, Dan's best friend Arthur (Amos Crawley) helps Dan stay home and babysit while Jack goes to check on Dan's grandmother. While the two teenagers and the baby are home alone, the twister hits the house. Afterwards, Dan sets out on a journey to find his family.The only thing I have against the movie are some of the differences from the novel. It is a shame what they did to Arthur in the movie, turning him into a complete moronic goof. In the book, Arthur was still goofy, but during the disaster, he was just as brave and smart as Dan. I also didn't like it in the movie when the characters of Arthur and Stacy were side-lined for Jack. Arthur and Stacy accompany Dan in his search for his family all through the book, but in the movie they are hardly seen after the first tornado. Jack was not an important character in the book, and it saddened me to see other characters so important in the book be pushed to the side. I am still hoping that someone in the near future will read the novel and decide to make a more faithful theatrically released Night of the Twisters movie. Despite that though, I still love this movie and continue to watch it at least once a year.

When I first watched Night of the Twisters I was a much a younger person and it made an impact on me. Now that I'm older, I find myself still enjoying this movie.Yes, it can be silly and predictable but I truly enjoyed it. It does help to know that the "theme" was true and the tornado outbreak was real. The account of the family was a bit hokey but I like the characters.I guess I'm not as jaded as some and just enjoy a good family movie once in awhile. If you simply accept the movie for what it is and aren't expecting an Oscar winner, I think you'll enjoy it.

OK, so the FX are not high budget. But this story is based on actual events. Not something thrown together to make a couple of rich actors, even richer!! As most movies that are based on books, there are somethings that just don't fit. Only a couple of people have stated that this movie was based on real events, not a knock-off as most people believe it is!! This movie is in no way related too TWISTER! Other than both movies are about tornadoes.For those of you who have problems with the science of the tornadoes and storms in the movie, there are a couple of things you need to remember... The actual "night of the twisters" was June 3, 1980. So this movie was released 16 years after the actual events. Try think how far storm research has advanced in that time. It happened in a larger town; Grand Island, Nebraska is the third largest city in the state. Even though the movie calls the town something else, and says it's a small town. For the real story check out: http://www.gitwisters.com/

Timothy Bond has outdone himself with this.Daniel Hatch(Devon Sawa)has problems. His father Jack(John Schneider)doesn't trust him. His friend, Arthur Jones(Amos Crawley)even notices it. But when a storm tracks off it's path and comes toward them with hurling winds it all changes. Dan and his father are now a family. His brother,Ryan(Alex Lastewka and Thomas Lastewka)is alive.A wonderful film to watch on a stormy night with your family by your side. This really will bring out the family. It'll leave you thinking, "Wow, storms really do bring a family together."We do actually get a few laughs. Arthur Jones really does act like a fool, even in the face of danger.