AllMovie

Sunday, May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m., the world witnessed America's most famous natural disaster. Originally shot in IMAX, then digitally remastered from the large film format, The Eruption of Mount Saint Helens is an Academy award-nominated short documentary detailing the devastating effects of a volcanic eruption. Filmed at ground zero by director George Casey (Alaska: Spirit of the Wild and Africa: The Serengeti), this 52-minute video contains the before, during, and aftermath of this catastrophe. Bonus footage from a rescue helicopter hovering above the mud, looking for survivors, captures the true devastation. Dolby surround sound adds to the effect. The fact this film is in color against the breathtaking scenery of Spirit Lake is quickly lost in the vast amounts of black and white ash.