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Tornado – Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne

The World Premiere of ‘Tornado’ will be screened at the Opening Gala, Glasgow Film Festival 26 February, 2025.

Director John Maclean’s exciting survival thriller is set in 1790s UK.  Tornado (Kōki,) is a young Japanese woman travelling with her father (Takehiro Hira) – both are performers in his Samurai puppet show.  When she seizes the opportunity to steal gold from a ruthless gang of callous criminals, she finds herself in a very dangerous situation.  Sugarman (Tim Roth) leader of the gang and his untrustworthy son, Little Sugar (Jack Lowden), along with their band of lawless villains, set out to retrieve their gold and kill Tornado.

There’s an adrenalin-fuelled chase through woodland and open country with traitorous behaviour and much bloodshed between the gang members along the way. They show no mercy and Tornado is desperately fleeing for her life but when they kill her father she vows revenge.

Tension is high and the David and Goliath theme pulls on our heartstrings. John Maclean presents an absorbing and different take on the classic Samurai film, to which the director pays homage. When the roles are reversed. we see skilful swordplay from Tornado as she transforms into a relentless and disciplined warrior and the hunters become her pray.

Review, Pat Byrne, 26 February, 2025

Tickets still on sale for Tornado Thursday 27th February 3.45 p.m. GFT.

The film is produced by Tea Shop Productions,

The film accessed National Lottery funding through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund

Tornado was shot on location in Scotland, including around Edinburgh, in Arniston House, North Esk Reservoir, Penicuik and Newhall Estate, in early 2024.

Tornado will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Friday, 23 May, 2025.

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