Written and directed by veteran storm chaser Martin Lisius, The Chasers of Tornado Alley takes us on a whirlwind tour of life in the Great Plains. Examining all aspects of the storm, Lisius probes the social, environmental and scientific implications of these intriguing, but potentially dangerous weather events.
On first glance, the documentary is stunning. It draws you in to a world that is both chaotic and strangely peaceful when viewed from a safe distance. Captured in stunning 4K, the footage surely deserves to be seen on a cinema screen for a full immersive experience. The stunning scenic shots are foundational to the narrative of the documentary, woven by Lisius into a series of chapters with each exploring a different aspect of storm chasing.
The structure of the doc is highly effective, giving each segment sufficient screen time without becoming repetitive. Looking into the lives of the storm chasers and what compels them truly gives an insight into what drives their obsession. Often the thrill is a main component, but also the closeness to nature that it brings. One thing the documentary made me consider is that to be an avid storm enthusiast does not mean to be obsessed with destruction. Almost the opposite. The creation, growth and journey of storm is a fundamental part of the intrigue. In fact, tracking the storm, as shown in the section ‘Guardians of the Universe’, is an important factor in keeping communities in the area safe and informed about severe weather events. Luckily, many of the magnificent tornadoes do not cause vast damage due to their rural location. In cases where they are suspected to hit populated locations, a dedicate team of storm spotters are ready to monitor the situation and inform the weather stations of any threat.
Everyone has heard of a tornado, but the lesser known supercell produces perhaps the most dramatic images in the sky. Responsible for some of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded, supercell thunderstorms create scenes that seem not of this world. It’s here the footage captured by Lisius seems almost unreal but proves why storm chasers are so eager to capture these unique events and share them with the rest of the world. The documentary explains why severe weather activity is so common in Tornado Alley and it’s thanks to these brave people that we are able to share some part in the experience by viewing the footage they capture.
A particularly commendable aspect of the documentary is how the filmmakers never stray into sensationalism. Various examples of real significant weather events, including a record-breaking multiple vortex tornado that occurred on May 31st 2013, are included as case studies rather than for dramatic purposes. This lends itself to a respectful mention of the three TWISTEX storm spotters who lost their life during this event.
Martin Lisius shows us a side of storms we don’t normally get to see. Accustomed to only seeing the damage and devastation these events can cause, this documentary gives us a glorious insight into nature at it’s most untamed. An unstoppable force of energy entirely beyond human control; an almost supernatural beauty.
The documentary is available to rent and buy on Vimeo and Amazon.
Watch the trailer below!