The Untold Stories Behind The Making Of 'Twister'

The flying cow wasn’t that far-fetched. At the midpoint of Twister, the smash hit 1996 disaster movie, a poor bovine drifts across the sky like a lost balloon. This moment, while outrageous, was inspired by real-life events. “We went into one little town just after a twister passed through,” recalls the film’s stunt coordinator, Mic Rodgers. “It threw a 40-foot cattle truck 15 feet out into a field, and killed half the cows that were in it. I literally saw straw stuck into a telephone pole. Don’t ask me how that works.”

Part action film, part screwball romance, Twister was crafted by writer Michael Crichton as a unique blend of the classic romcom His Girl Friday and a PBS documentary about storm chasers. Helen Hunt's character, Jo, is a dedicated meteorologist whose father was sucked into a twister during her childhood. She’s spent her life studying tornadoes and developing a device that collects data by being sucked into these violent storms. Her estranged husband, Bill (played by Bill Paxton), abandoned his tornado-wrangling days to settle down with a more sensible woman, but Jo’s commitment to saving rural communities complicates things.

Twister was a surprise phenomenon upon its release. With a budget of $90 million, it grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, making it one of the top earners of that year. A dedicated Twister museum was established in Wakita, Kansas, and interest in meteorology surged among students. The film also featured a memorable score by Van Halen, solidifying its place as a quintessential Nineties disaster movie.

Behind the Scenes: The Challenges of Filming 'Twister'

Filmed during tornado season in Oklahoma, Twister was very much a product of its director, Jan de Bont, who had previously directed the action classic Speed. De Bont was known for pushing boundaries, often at the expense of his crew's comfort and safety. For him, achieving a sense of realism was paramount. “De Bont wanted as much realism as possible,” says Rodgers, who led a team of stunt performers chasing real storms in a bid to capture the essence of tornadoes. However, much of this footage never made it into the final cut.

Rodgers describes the thrill of playing a tornado hunter, remarking, “It was often ‘bitchin’, but one time was gnarly as hell.” He recalls a moment when they encountered a wall cloud, a precursor to a tornado, and were warned to evacuate. Despite the danger, they stayed, only to find themselves in a harrowing situation as winds picked up. “We thought, ‘Oh, f***, we’re gonna die’. Then suddenly we popped out of it, and it’s like bright sky all around us.”

The Director's Demands: A Challenge for the Crew

Filming was not without its chaos, with de Bont's demands often leading to tensions on set. Cinematographer Don Burgess noted that the director would frequently change angles, requiring crews to move equipment quickly. “It was always everybody else’s fault, never his,” Burgess said, leading to his eventual exit from the production. De Bont, however, remained unapologetic, insisting that the crew was well compensated and should perform their duties efficiently.

Incidents and Injuries on Set

Injuries were common during the filming of Twister. Helen Hunt suffered a concussion after being struck by a car door, and her stunt double cracked a rib during a scene. Both Hunt and Paxton experienced temporary blindness due to powerful lights. Reflecting on the filming experience in a 2020 interview, Hunt expressed uncertainty about going through the process again but acknowledged the film's enduring quality.

The Impact of 'Twister' and Its Legacy

The film’s success can be attributed to its blend of thrilling action and emotional depth. It resonated with audiences and left a lasting impact, sparking interest in meteorology and storm chasing. Even after years, it remains relevant, with many fans revisiting the film, especially with the recent release of a standalone sequel, Twisters, featuring contemporary stars like Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Ultimately, Twister stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in cinema, combining adventure, romance, and suspense into a compelling narrative. Its blend of real-life phenomena and dramatic storytelling continues to captivate audiences, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary tales come from the most unlikely places.