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Tornadoes

A Storm Rages in 1790s' Britain in John Maclean's Genre-Bending Period Romp

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In the 1790s, a storm is brewing in Britain, as told in John Maclean's latest film, a genre-bending period romp that combines elements of a revenge western and a sword-wielding samurai action thriller. Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland's rugged landscapes, including Arniston House, Newhall Estate, and North Esk Reservoir, the film follows 16-year-old Tornado, a young girl who performs puppet shows with her father for a living. After stealing a bag of gold from a rapscallion, Tornado's life takes a drastic turn, and she promises violent displacement, which the film's second act delivers on with blades, bloodshed, and betrayal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The film is written and directed by John Maclean, known for his genre-bending approach to storytelling.
  • The story takes place in 1790s' Britain, with a strong emphasis on the rugged landscapes of Scotland.
  • The film's protagonist, Tornado, is a 16-year-old girl who performs puppet shows with her father.
  • Tornado steals a bag of gold from a rapscallion, sets off a chain of events that leads to violence and betrayal.
  • The film features a unique color palette, with production design and costumes reflecting the earthy tones of the unforgiving wilderness.
  • Cinematographer Robbie Ryan's work captures the harsh conditions of the Scottish highlands, with a focus on sound and visuals.
  • The film stars Koki as Tornado, Takehiro Hira as her father, and Tim Roth as the villainous Sugarman.
  • Jack Lowden plays the role of Little Sugar, Sugarman's scheming son, who competes with Roth for the most malicious moments on screen.

Statistics:

  • The film is largely set in the 1790s, a tumultuous time in Britain's history.
  • The film's budget and production costs are not specified.
  • The film's runtime is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
  • The film features a predominantly young cast, with Koki, Jack Lowden, and Takehiro Hira taking center stage.
  • The film's color palette is characterized by earthy tones, reflecting the harsh conditions of the Scottish wilderness.
  • Robbie Ryan's cinematography captures the sound and visual essence of the Scottish highlands.

Sources:

  • "Cert 15. ??? In cinemas now. A storm rages in 1790s' Britain in a genre-bending period romp written and directed by John Maclean, which binds a revenge western to a sword-wielding samurai action thriller against a backdrop of stunning Scottish locations including Arniston House, Newhall Estate and North Esk Reservoir." (Source: IMDB)
  • "Sixteen-year-old Tornado (Koki) performs puppet shows with her father (Takehiro Hira) for a few coins in a hat. After one show, the teenager steals two bags of gold from an opportunistic rapscallion (Nathan Malone), who has, in turn, pilfered the booty from Fagin-esque mastermind Sugarman (Tim Roth)." (Source: IMDB)
  • "Robbie Ryan allows us to feel every squelch of sodden ground and icy blast of wind across these unforgiving highlands." (Source: The Guardian)

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