An In-Depth Review of the Hurricane Movie: Flood (2007)

Introduction

The disaster movie genre has existed for decades and has often relied on natural disasters like hurricanes as a plot device. Flood (2007) is one such movie that uses hurricanes as an integral part of its story, and this article aims to provide an in-depth review of how well the movie accomplishes this.

Movie Details

• Movie Title: Flood
• Director: Tony Mitchell
• Producer: Justin Bodle
• Main Actors:
  • Robert Carlyle as Rob Morrison
  • Tom Courtenay as Leonard Morrison
  • Joanne Whalley as Samantha Morrison
  • David Suchet as Deputy Prime Minister Campbell
• Release Year: 2007
• Additional Interesting Facts: Flood (2007) was produced by BBC and features a screenplay written by Justin Bodle and Matthew Cope.

How Flood (2007) Portrays Hurricanes

The Role of Hurricanes in the Plot

Flood (2007) begins with the United Kingdom already experiencing severe flooding caused by incessant rain. However, the situation escalates when a Category 5 hurricane, coincidentally named Hurricane Grace, approaches the country and promises to exacerbate the already dire circumstances. The hurricane becomes the central plot device that propels the movie's events forward, making it the most significant natural disaster portrayed in the film.

Potential Scenarios Where Hurricanes are Depicted

Hurricane Grace is shown at various points throughout the movie and is seen wreaking havoc on the country in a few different scenarios. Some of these scenarios include:

• Submerging parts of the city of London underwater including iconic landmarks like the London Eye and Houses of Parliament.
• Causing helicopters to crash during rescue operations, leading to more casualties.
• Creating treacherous waves that prevent boats from reaching people trapped in flooded areas.
• Tearing down buildings and infrastructure by powerful winds and floods.

Key Aspects of Flood (2007)

Storyline and Characters

The story of Flood revolves around a group of people trying to survive the hurricane's impact, with particular emphasis on the Morrison family. Robert Carlyle plays Rob Morrison, a repairman who helps with a government-led operation to save people stranded in flooded areas. Tom Courtenay plays Leonard Morrison, Rob's father, who is stuck in his home when the water levels rise rapidly. Joanne Whalley plays Samantha Morrison, Rob's ex-wife, and mother of his children, who works as a reporter covering the flooding. The characters' different perspectives on the hurricane and their actions while dealing with its consequences are crucial to the plot.

Cinematic Techniques and Special Effects

Flood uses several cinematic techniques to showcase the hurricane's impact. The movie features several aerial shots of London submerged underwater, which highlights the hurricane's extent. Additionally, the special effects used to create the hurricane are well-done, and the scenes where it hits the UK are convincingly portrayed. The disaster scenes look harrowing and chaotic, which adds to the realism of the movie.

Realism and Accuracy

While Flood portrays a fictional Category 5 hurricane hitting the UK, it is based on past events. In 1953, in what is known as the North Sea Flood of 1953, the UK experienced one of its worst natural disasters in history when severe storms hit the country, causing significant flooding that led to thousands of fatalities. Flood takes inspiration from this event and uses it to showcase the realistic consequences that such a catastrophic hurricane would have on the UK.

Comparing Flood (2007) to Other Hurricane Movies

The Perfect Storm (2000)

The Perfect Storm is another disaster movie that features hurricanes as a central plot device. However, unlike Flood, The Perfect Storm's setting is in the United States, specifically Massachusetts, where a group of fishermen face a massive Category 5 hurricane. Flood and The Perfect Storm both have similar cinematic techniques, such as using aerial shots and special effects to portray the hurricane's magnitude. Both also showcase how the hurricane impacts the main characters' lives. However, The Perfect Storm focuses more on the dangers of the sea and how the hurricane affects those at sea, while Flood concentrates on how the hurricane impacts the infrastructure of a city.

Twister (1996)

Twister is yet another disaster movie that features natural disasters, in this case, tornadoes. While not specifically about hurricanes, Twister has similar aspects to Flood in terms of using natural disasters to set the plot into motion. Both movies use scenarios such as rescuing people stranded by the natural disaster and highlight the heroes' efforts during times of peril. However, Twister places more focus on the scientific aspect of tornadoes and how they form and interact with the environment, whereas Flood has a more grounded approach to its portrayal of hurricanes.

Popular Opinion and Reception of Flood (2007)

Flood (2007) received mixed reviews upon release. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 52% approval rating and an average rating of 5.2/10 based on 21 reviews. However, despite the lackluster reception, the movie achieved respectable box office success, with a worldwide gross of over $24 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Flood based on a true story?

  No, Flood (2007) is a work of fiction; however, it takes inspiration from past events in the UK, like the North Sea Flood of 1953.

• What category hurricane is featured in Flood?

  Hurricane Grace, which appears in the movie, is categorized as a Category 5 hurricane.

• Are there any real-life equivalents to the flood portrayed in Flood?

  The North Sea Flood of 1953, which caused significant flooding in the UK, served as an inspiration for Flood's plot.

• What are some other disaster movies that feature hurricanes?

  The Perfect Storm, Hurricane (1979), and The Day After Tomorrow (2004) are some examples.

• Are there any educational benefits to watching Flood?

  Because Flood portrays realistic consequences of a hurricane hitting an area, it can serve as a cautionary tale for viewers living in hurricane-prone areas.

Conclusion

Flood (2007) is a disaster movie that successfully uses hurricanes to set its plot into motion. It features convincing special effects and cinematography to portray the hurricane's magnitude and realistic consequences for the characters. While not based on a true story, Flood takes inspiration from past events in the UK, highlighting the real-world impact such catastrophic natural disasters have on society. By comparing and contrasting Flood with other disaster movies featuring hurricanes, readers can gain a better understanding of how different filmmakers approach using natural disasters as plot devices. Flood serves as a great cautionary tale for those living in hurricane-prone areas, and this article hopes to provide valuable insights and information for movie enthusiasts and hurricane survivors alike.

Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below and engage with Hurricane Insider by subscribing, sharing the article on social media, or contacting us for further discussions or inquiries.

Isaac's Storm (TV Movie, Date Unknown)

Aftershock: Earthquake In New York (1999, TV Movie)

Storm Chasers: Revenge Of The Twister (1998, TV Movie)

If you want to discover more articles similar to Flood (2007), you can visit the Media on Hurricanes category.