The Deadliest Storm

Let me begin by admitting a deep-rooted bias: I think that most TV newscasters are scum. Seriously. Along with lawyers and a good percentage of our politicians, they constitute the bottom-feeders of our society. The Deadliest Storm, which opens in typical TV news fashion with quick editing, a jazzy soundtrack, and a bouncy, bubbly voice informing viewers that in one area the tornado (subject of the program) "left more than 20 dead," is about the terrible tornadoes that struck Kansas at the close of April, 1991. The program begins with footage of the tornadoes, some of it shot by NewsChannel 3 (Wichita) staff members, and some by people with home video cameras. Watching the NewsChannel 3 people play chicken with an oncoming tornado while on the freeway does not suggest that these folk are brave; on the contrary, it fairly screams that they are stupid. Following the section entitled "The Tornadoes," segments for each of the seven days following the disaster appear, featuring 3-8 news clips as they aired on the local news. Yes, there's some human interest here (amidst a bunch of looking for sensationalism), but think about it--these news stories were shot, edited, and shown all in one day; does this sound like the basis for a great documentary? Of course not. All of the profits from the sale of the tape will go directly to the Wichita area Salvation Army to benefit victims of the tornadoes (now, over a year ago). Broadcast news doesn't make a good documentary; watching plastic newscasters with their hands nonchalantly buried in their Levis talking about death and destruction in well-modulated sing song doesn't make good anything. Not recommended. (Available from most distributors.)