Classic Disaster Movie That Was Notorious For Destroying Theaters' Sound Systems Turns 30

Few things are more ominous in life than that of a natural disaster. Which is probably why movies like Twister give so may of us pause and stick with us long after we’ve left the theater.

Twister, the natural disaster movie directed by Jan de Bont was an international hit upon its release 30 years ago on May 10, 1996. The film grossed over $499 million worldwide upon release, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1996, right behind Independence Day.

Twister was originally going to be directed by Steven Spielberg, who instead opted to produce the film through his production company, Amblin Entertainment. Directors James Cameron, John Badham, Tim Burton, and Robert Zemeckis were all in the running to helm the film before Jan de Bont came on. Michael Crichton and wife and co-author, Anne-Marie Martin, were attached to write the screenplay, inspired by storm chasers and the 1940 comedy, His Girl Friday.

Due to the film’s intensive sound design for all of the heightened weather occurring within it—eventually resulting in an Academy Award nomination—the audio was mastered at very high decibel levels to simulate the intensity of tornadoes. The excessive volume and low-frequency bass in the film’s mix were reported to have blown out and damaged speakers in several movie theaters during its initial theatrical release. Some theaters even claimed Warner Bros. instructed them to play the film at a certain high volume, resulting in the aforementioned damage.

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Twister is an ensemble cast, disaster-action film following estranged storm chasers Jo and Bill Harding (played by Helen and Hunt Bill Paxton respectively), who reunite for one last tornado chase to deploy “Dorothy,” an advanced weather-tracking device. They pursue deadly tornadoes all across the state of Oklahoma to improve warning systems, battling rival corporate scientists, while facing whether or not they want to reconcile their relationship.

The film was a massive commercial success beating out both The Craft and The Truth About Cats & Dogs at the box office for the number one spot on its opening weekend. While most critics commented on the generic plot of the film, the special effects and thrills were palpable and undeniable. Despite the theater sound issues, the film would generate two Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.

30 years since its initial release, it’s safe to safe that Twister is still a film worth watching and investing in. Just make sure to have ear plugs at the ready.

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