Twisted Film, or: How I Learned to Stop the Movie and Teach the Truth

Abstract

The 1996 blockbuster Twister both entertained and exasperated geographers. Misrepresentations and unsafe field practices resonated deeply; still, the film possesses relevance for educators. Science-based reviews illuminating on-screen inconsistencies and pseudoscience might surprise students accepting movies at face value. This article uses a disaster movie to teach beneficial concepts, definitions, and insight by identifying, elaborating on, and correcting important ideas, dialogue, and terminology. It includes experienced commentary on storm chasing. Chasers must work together using latest technologies to remotely sense environments of future tornadoes during minutes preceding formation. Unlike movies, the mantra for students chasing should be “safety first.”

Key Words:

• teaching
• physical geography
• physical processes
• weather
• tornado

William Monfredo, Ph.D., is with the Geography Department at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. He specializes in physical geography, environment, meteorology, and severe storms. Additionally, he remains interested in the climatic effects of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.