From Akira Kurosawa, director of “Yojimbo” and “Sanjuro” comes a tense, taut film of a modern “perfect crime” with more excitement than even Hitchcock could create.|Mar. 01, 1963|Japan|142 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Crime;Drama;Mystery;Thriller
Description: The 1963 film “High and Low” follows the story of Kingo Gondo, a wealthy executive played by Toshiro Mifune, who is determined to take control of a company called National Shoes. Gondo is in conflict with a faction within the company that wants to produce cheap, low-quality shoes for quick profits, while he advocates for high-quality, modern designs to ensure the company’s long-term success. To secure his position, Gondo arranges a leveraged buyout, risking everything he owns.
Just as he prepares to execute his plan, he receives a call claiming his son, Jun, has been kidnapped. Gondo is ready to pay the ransom, but the call is dismissed as a prank when Jun returns home. However, it is soon discovered that Shinichi, the son of Gondo’s chauffeur, has been mistakenly abducted instead. Despite realizing the error, the kidnapper demands the same ransom.
Gondo faces a moral dilemma: save the child by paying the ransom, which would ruin his financial plans and jeopardize his family’s future, or proceed with the buyout and abandon Shinichi. After extensive deliberation, Gondo initially decides against paying, but pressure from his wife and the chauffeur leads him to change his mind. Following the kidnapper’s instructions, the ransom is delivered, and Shinichi is safely returned.
The film explores themes of morality, sacrifice, and the consequences of difficult decisions.
Cast director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast actor: Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyōko Kagawa, Tatsuya Mihashi, Isao Kimura, Kenjirō Ishiyama, Takeshi Katō, Takashi Shimura, Jun Tazaki, Nobuo Nakamura
Original name: 天国と地獄