Nature's Fury (1994)
Film:
DVD:

Written by Jaime Bernanke

Features:

• Bonus Programs: "Tornado Hunters" and "Lightning Strikes"
  
• Photo gallery
  
• Interactive U.S. Disaster Map
  
• Trivia quiz
  
• Trailers for Killer Wave: Power of the Tsunami, Storm of the Century and Volcano: Nature's Inferno
  

Anamorphic: N/A; appears in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

My Advice: Rent It.

There's very little that can keep you from gnawing your fingernails right off your body when you're watching the footage captured in this program. Divided into four main sections that cover earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, it will certainly reinstill in the viewer a respect for Mother Nature. Beginning with an overview and then wrapping up with a look forward to disaster prognostication, it's a nifty (albeit nervewracking) way to spend an hour.

Some of the stories that are included in the program are amazing. From the truck driver who survived the collapse of an overpass by literally inches to the news crew who were able to shoot footage from inside a tornado as it passed over the overpass under which they were taking shelter--this stuff is insane. At least those people were there by accident--you have to wonder about the people who shot the lion's share of the tornado footage. What kind of whackjob stands around with a funnel cloud about a hundred yards away, filming and remarking about "Wow! Lookat that"? Geez Louise.

The two bonus programs included are pretty far out as well. "Tornado Hunters" follows two tour groups who spend about a week chasing down tornadoes. And the amazing thing is that people pay to go on these excursions. What's even more amazing is that one of the tour groups is led by a whacko who uses his own body and prayer to track down funnel clouds. Um...sure. "Lightning Strikes" details the lives of several people who were struck by lightning--including one woman who got smacked three times. Amazing.

The other features are usual National Geographic fare--the two or three question quiz and the previews. The Disaster Map doesn't seem in the least bit extensive, which is a bit of a shame. But regardless, the main program and the two extra ones are enough to make this disc a rental. I'm not sure who would want to purchase it outside the National Geographic completist--seeing as how a lot of this stuff is just hard to watch.