- When the NBC-TV network premiered this film over two nights in November 1990, NBC News added earthquake safety tips and news information at the end of each night of the miniseries. The information was provided because of the potential for deadly quakes at other fault lines in the USA and in particular reference to the New Madrid Earthquake Zone in the central USA which was predicted to quake on December 3, 1990.
- NBC also aired a 3 hour condensed version in late 1991.
- Syndicated TV versions are further cut to 94 minutes, half the length of the original miniseries version.
- Versions of the movie show the 94 minute cut on television. Yet, some airings such as the one shown on ABC Late - Night Movie Programs, cut out earthquake scenes such as when Dan Lauria's boss goes out the window during the Big One. Also, the scene where Joanna Kerns tries to free her trapped daughter is shortened
- Scenes cut from the the VHS version available include:
- Joanna Kearns sister and husband. The husband is a cop involved in a shoot out with a hit man. Joanna Kearns gets caught by this on her way home to see her daughter.
- Joanna Kearns mother and Father. The father is a doctor at the hospital and the mother gets stuck in an elevator with her daughter, whom the 2 of them don't get along. The mother dies when the elevator breaks free and plunges down.
- A completely different family was also was a major story line. A mother, father and son who is graduating high school. He is killed in the earthquake.
- Several other scenes were omitted that were not involving these characters.
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Top Gap
By what name was The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990) officially released in India in English?
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