High and Low

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High and Low

1963

2h 22m

Crime

Drama

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97%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

95%

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5,000+ Ratings

Toshiro Mifune stars as a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a ruthless kidnapper in Akira Kurosawa's exemplary film noir. Based on Ed McBain's detective novel "King's Ransom," "High and Low" is both a riveting thriller and a brilliant commentary on contemporary Japanese society.

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Critics Consensus

Meticulously crafted by master director Akira Kurosawa, High and Low is an enthralling procedural imbued with weighty moral heft.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Aug 13

From the opening frame (literally) to the last, Kurosawa never makes the smallest misstep nor permits it in anyone else. Every camera angle, every composition, every cut, every performance, is -- as far as I can see -- brilliantly right.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Aug 13

A tighter film, concentrating and balancing police activity and human conflicts would have given this added distinction in arty circles. As is, it's a finely tooled item, made by a master craftsman.

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Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

Aug 13

The film explores not only the method but the mind of the criminal and does it in meticulous fashion. It is lengthy, but absorbing, and the acting throughout is expert. If you're a "whodunit" fan, here's a movie you shouldn't miss.

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

23h

an expertly crafted mystery thriller whose story of a kidnapping and its aftermath is woven through with a particularly acute portrait of the decay of modern Japan

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

Sep 20

... a thriller that keeps you guessing with an ending that satisfies all of its thematic questions.

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Ed Travis

Cinapse

Sep 14

The master not only spins a damning portrait of the Japan he saw immediately around him, but also reflected on societal highs and lows that remain profoundly, tragically relevant today.

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Jace T

@CineChamber Dec 16

I was turned onto this movie from the Spike Lee remake called Highest 2 Lowest. It was popular on social media, so I decided to look into the original movie, and I was very pleasantly surprised by how good this movie is. The pacing, mystery, and class commentary in this movie are incredible, and still incredibly stimulating, even in 2025.

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Fong Kok Hoong F

Nov 15

Loosely based on Evan Hunter's 1959 novel King's Ransom about a kidnapping of wrong child and the ransom a wealthy man resolving to pay, this Akira Kurosawa's lesser known work of his cinema engages as a moral dilemma drama, a police procedural thriller and a commentary on the anguish of social class disparity.

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Lars N

@movie_douche Oct 11

As one of the most celebrated movies of all time I to can confirm: It's pretty good. A lean thriller, gorgeous to look at and narratively brilliant.

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Homura A

Sep 20

Great movie! Kurosawa at his best imo!

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revolver.0 8

@Revolver08 Aug 26

must be one of the dumbest and naive good looking films in history

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Johnathon W

@Hoppynsc Jul 23

First rate crime thriller, thanks to a fantastic lead performance and sharp direction. Toshiro Mifune gives one of his best lead performances as Kingo Gondo, a seemingly ruthless businessman forced into an impossible dilemma, ultimately discovering his humanity. Behind the camera, Akira Kurosawa crafts an expert crime thriller that takes no easy way out, from Kingo's decision to the polices methods to catching the kidnapper. While the film on the surface seems a commentary on the division between the rich and poor, it quickly becomes more complicated, as Kingo is revealed to be someone who earned his wealth, having once been a factory worker himself while the kidnapper is ruthless beyond measure. Plus, the crime procedure is nicely done and realistic, setting a standard for future films. Just a classic crime noir from beginning to end.

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Akira Kurosawa

Director

Toshiro Mifune

Kingo Gondo

Tatsuya Nakadai

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Synopsis

Toshiro Mifune stars as a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a ruthless kidnapper in Akira Kurosawa's exemplary film noir. Based on Ed McBain's detective novel "King's Ransom," "High and Low" is both a riveting thriller and a brilliant commentary on contemporary Japanese society.

Director: Akira Kurosawa
Producer: Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Tomoyuki Tanaka
Screenwriter: Eijirô Hisaita, Evan Hunter, Ryûzô Kikushima, Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni
Production Co: Kurosawa Production, Toho Company
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 26, 1963, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2017
Runtime: 2h 22m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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