Tsunami: Caught on Camera

Watch Tsunami: Caught on Camera

  • 2009
  • 4 Seasons

Tsunamis are one of the most awe-inspiring and terrifying natural disasters that exist, with a power that can devastate entire coastlines in seconds. Many people might have seen footage of tsunamis before, but few have truly appreciated the scale and force of these titanic waves until they witness it with their own eyes. That's where Tsunami: Caught on Camera comes in, a show that brings together some of the most incredible video recordings of tsunamis from around the world - all of them captured by regular people with cameras, phones or drones.

Channel 4's documentary series Tsunami: Caught on Camera follows the brave and terrifying stories of individuals who were caught up in the biggest and deadliest tsunamis of recent years. The show invites viewers to experience the reality of these life-changing events, and hear directly from the people who were there when the waves struck.

The show covers not just the most famous tsunamis like the one that hit Fukushima, Japan in 2011, but also some of the lesser-known disasters that haven't received coverage in the international press. In addition, the series also delves into how the phenomenon of tsunamis works and why they can be so destructive. Understanding the science behind these waves is crucial to preparing for them and minimizing loss of life and property when they occur.

What makes this show stand out is the way it approaches its subject matter. Rather than relying on news footage or professional videographers, the show draws on ordinary people's footage to bring these events to life. This provides a unique and much more relatable perspective on the tsunamis than the usual, heavily-edited news reports which prioritize sensationalism over authenticity.

The series is broken up into hour-long episodes, each of which focuses on a different major tsunami event, as well as the individuals whose lives were forever changed by them. Often-times, however, the show will also zoom out and show the broader impact that these waves have had on entire communities, making it clear that the effects of a tsunami can ripple outwards far beyond the immediate area of impact.

In some cases, the show also explores what could have been done differently to prevent or mitigate the damage caused by these tsunamis. Experts who have studied these events in-depth provide their insights and recommendations, giving viewers a sense of what needs to happen if we hope to be better prepared for the next disaster.

Visually, the show is a feast for the eyes, filled with stunning drone shots of coastlines before and after the waves hit. The use of music and sound design is also noteworthy, helping to build suspense and create a sense of awe as the waves draw closer and closer.

In terms of its overall impact, Tsunami: Caught on Camera is an eye-opening and sobering reminder of the forces of nature that we are all ultimately at the mercy of. However, the show also highlights the incredible bravery and resilience of those who have lived through these disasters, and the hope that can be found in their stories.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a compelling and informative documentary series that covers an important, albeit tragic, subject matter, then Tsunami: Caught on Camera is a show that's well worth watching. Just make sure you have some tissues handy, as some of these stories are bound to tug at your heartstrings.

Tsunami: Caught on Camera is a series that ran for 4 seasons (61 episodes) between December 30, 2009 and on Channel 4

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Seasons
Surprise!
21. Surprise!
September 25, 2011
In this hour, expect the unexpected. We have people who think they've won a new laptop, but instead, they're under arrest. Then, there's a fisherman who thinks he's hooked a shark, but it's the shark who's hooked him. Also, a driver who takes a dangerous path, a cop caught off guard, and a skydiver hurtling toward earth. These are unexpected situations, with unpredictable endings, improbable suspects... and what in the world is a car thief doing on a golf course?
High Voltage
20. High Voltage
August 14, 2011
It can occur in a flash, with devastating impact. And the few who have felt the jolt of an electric shock know just how brutal a force it is. When we control it, electricity powers our lives. But when it's unleashed, high voltage can be terrifying. It can kill with a touch; drop suspects on the spot; and blast the unsuspecting. Whether it's a bolt out of the blue, an electrifying fall, or a dangerous climb:... what you're about to see is sure to be shocking.
Inmates and Outlaws
19. Inmates and Outlaws
August 7, 2011
Whether dealing with dangerous people out on patrol, or inside prison walls, law enforcement officers know to never let their guard down. Why? Because the minute that happens, something terrible could unfold. In this hour, a motorcyclist drags an officer across a highway, a suspect attacks a deputy behind a desk, and an ex-con plows a hole through a maximum prison security wall. Audacious jailbreaks, savage beatings... and one of the most notorious prison riots in history, and they're all Caught on Camera!
Crimes and Crime Stoppers
17. Crimes and Crime Stoppers
July 24, 2011
You see a crime unfolding before your very eyes and the lawbreakers are armed, so what do you do? Run for help? Call 9-1-1? Or, would you try to stop the bad guys yourself? In this hour, we have parents who will stop at nothing to save their baby; a brazen jewelry heist-- thwarted by an even more brazen granny; and a stick up.... using an actual stick. The crimes are cruel...the criminals calculating and cold blooded, but these thieves and thugs are caught in the act, sometimes stopped in their tracks by everyday people.
Fury!
16. Fury!
July 17, 2011
It's human nature to get angry, and while most of us try to calm down before things get out of hand, sometimes emotions boil over. When they do, situations can easily spiral out of control. In this hour, you will see people who lash out in frustration, despair and rage as violence erupts in a court room, tempers explode on a bus, teenage girls beat each other bloody, and customers attack a restaurant's staff. And it's all Caught on Camera!
Unusual Suspects
14. Unusual Suspects
July 3, 2011
A school bus driver...drunk on the job; an elderly man...who robs banks at gunpoint; a priest...on a belligerent tirade; and an armed thief with impeccable manners. These are not the usual cases; not the usual suspects; not even the usual species...but they are all Caught on Camera!
Shots Fired
13. Shots Fired
June 26, 2011
From the absurd... to the embarrasing... to the just plain shocking... these viral videos capture our attention, one way... or another. Almost instantly we want to forward them along. But how can you know if they're real? See if you can tell truth from fiction in this hour of fantastic recorded tales.
Viral Videos - Do You Believe?
12. Viral Videos - Do You Believe?
June 19, 2011
From the absurd... to the embarrasing... to the just plain shocking... these viral videos capture our attention, one way... or another. Almost instantly we want to forward them along. But how can you know if they're real? See if you can tell truth from fiction in this hour of fantastic recorded tales.
Fireball!
11. Fireball!
June 12, 2011
Dangerous materials are used everyday, usually without incident, because safeguards are in place to minimize risks. But accidents, both natural and man-made, happen all-too frequently. And when highly flammable materials are involved, the ensuing disaster often results in a fireball. In this hour, watch as massive industrial accidents lead to unbelievable explosions, fuel leaks level buildings, gas stations erupt into infernos, and rescue workers put it all on the line.
Watch at Your Own Risk
10. Watch at Your Own Risk
June 5, 2011
When you buy a ticket to a sports event or comedy show, you expect a couple of hours of entertainment, a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy. But the spectators you'll meet in this hour, got much more than they bargained for: Massive waves taking out surfing fans; a bull charging into the stands; spectators attacking; bleachers collapsing... a plane crash-landing at a baseball field; and an off-road vehicle veering off track. It's not always fan appreciation day.
Thrills And Spills
9. Thrills And Spills
April 10, 2011
This hour features the stories of a race car driver hitting the wall, a kiteboarder slamming into steel poles, motorcycle riders scraping the street, super athletes pushing the limits, daredevils going for broke...and a family going over the edge. Thrill seekers have many ways to pump up the adrenaline: racing cars, four-wheeling through canyons, parachuting from bridges. You name it...and the daring will try it. But when something goes wrong, the result can be terrible. Is a near fatal injury worth the high? Watch and you will see that for some folks risk is its own reward.
Occupational Hazard
7. Occupational Hazard
April 3, 2011
A reporter under attack; a referee hits the mat; a falling tower sends a cameraman and others running for cover; and a police officer faces an out of control chimp. They're on the job, facing unbelievable situations...from bizarre... to death defying.
Boom!
6. Boom!
March 20, 2011
We're surrounded by dangerous material and equipment that is taken for granted and, when used properly, safe. Usually there's not a problem with compressed gasses, high-powered machines, or explosives. But if one little thing goes wrong, the consequences can be disastrous. In this hour; the biggest explosions; raging infernos; terrifying escapes; brave responders; exploding projectiles; massive flames, and enormous fireballs.
Disaster in Japan
5. Disaster in Japan
March 18, 2011
It came without warning:one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history. And in 2011, "recorded history" means something very different than it once did. This time- when nature unleashed its power, the world was a witness...to images like we'd never seen - captured like never before.
Bad Behavior
3. Bad Behavior
March 13, 2011
Bad behavior..it seems to have become an epidemic. From road rage to bullying over the internet, to fist fights on reality TV. In this hour, you'll see it all: chaos in the streets; a bridal alteration that becomes an altercation; a video vigilante confronting a cop in a no-standing zone; bullies scared straight; a case of sticky fingers; devastating daycare; and a battle for a parking space.
Dash Cam Diaries
2. Dash Cam Diaries
December 26, 2010
A dangerous chase, a daring maneuver, and a crash -- that's not to be believed; one dog leads a trooper to a burning building..and The Dog Whisperer tells us why, plus insight into what led another dog to take a bite out of a cop's bumper. Then, a suspect who seems to take a bite out of the evidence. In this hour, tense situations...heartbreaking stories..and moments that have to be seen to be believed.
Bold, Brazen, Bizarre
1. Bold, Brazen, Bizarre
December 19, 2010
A mother cheers on her teenage daughter in an after-school fight; a McDonald's customer loses her cool over Chicken McNuggets; a woman puts a cat in the trash! A donkey is sent soaring through the sky on a parasail; and violence erupts at a tow yard. These are fights that are bold, thieves who are brazen, and unbelievable scenes that couldn't be more bizarre. And it's all Caught on Camera!
Description
Where to Watch Tsunami: Caught on Camera
Tsunami: Caught on Camera is available for streaming on the Channel 4 website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Tsunami: Caught on Camera on demand at Amazon Prime.
  • Premiere Date
    December 30, 2009