High and Low

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High and Low

1963

2h 22m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Toshirō 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 Tinée

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

Dec 26

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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Karthik Y.

@madkarthi May 30

an absolute cinematic masterpiece. Akira Kurosawa delivers pure class execution in every single frame.

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Tom F

@RT55173143 May 30

The film starts as a low-stakes corporate power struggle and quickly escalates into a thriller, making scenes we’ve seen a million times still surprising and exciting.

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D P

@RT45936356 Mar 15

A really good story. My American self really, really... really wanted there to be some justice, some compensation, some deus ex machina, some kind of gotcha or UNO reverse card, a scheme, a twist, something! I wanted a happier ending, and I didn't get that. But I understand that it doesn't always work out that way. I'm just used to my movies lying to me about living in a just world.

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Jason R

@JasonLovesMoviesForever Mar 3

A True Masterpiece that stands the test of time 70+ years later! Every film maker and actor should watch this Directors films to get an idea of what quality cinema is.

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Steve Y

@Cubby65 Feb 16

Another Kurosawa winner - almost. The first hour sets the story, with drama but a bit stagey; the rest is a good cop show, followed by an unnecessary melodramatic ending.

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Elizabeth C

@berlioz Feb 13

Master detective film. Its tightly woven police procedural keeps you spellbound. It even touches on social issues.

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Synopsis

Toshirō 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)