High and Low

 

High and Low (1963)

Akira Kurosawa at the Top of His Game

by Ray Manukay

★★★★★

Watched 24 Feb 2026

Suffice it to say, High and Low is a masterwork. Any attempt to sing its praises in written form has no doubt been done already by critics more eloquent than me. It is a film that defies articulation; it simply must be experienced. Sequence after sequence reveals new layers and challenges that Kurosawa handles masterfully.

🎬 Production Credits

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Writers: Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima

Cinematography: Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saitō

Editor: Akira Kurosawa

Music: Masaru Sato

Based on: King's Ransom by Ed McBain

As in life, it's not an issue of doing the right thing. But the ramifications of doing the right thing. — Ray Manukay

The Dynamic Tension

The film thrives on the moral conflict of Kingo weighing the financial ruin of a ransom demand against the life of a close family friend. Kurosawa builds incredible tension in scenes where the police listen in on kidnappers, and in the meticulous police station sequences where clues are gathered. It is a showcase for a director who can keep a procedural investigation feeling immediate and breathless.

💡 Fun Facts

• The film's Japanese title, Tengoku to Jigoku, literally translates to "Heaven and Hell."
• Kurosawa famously had a house built specifically to be burned down in his pursuit of realism, though here he uses the verticality of a hillside house to literalize class divide.
• The "pink smoke" sequence was achieved through hand-coloring the film frames, a striking departure from the black-and-white cinematography.

The Performances

• Toshiro Mifune: Confirms his place among the greatest actors in history with subtle and effective emotional turmoil.
• Tatsuya Nakadai: Brilliant as the cool, methodical Inspector Tokura.
• The Ensemble: A masterclass in blocking and group dynamics, particularly in the claustrophobic first act.

✅ Pros

• Masterful direction and tension.
• Profound exploration of conscience.
• Breathtaking performances from the leads.

❌ Cons

• None. (Except waiting too long to see it).

Read the original review on Letterboxd

🏆 Final Verdict

I feel deep shame for waiting so long to see this film. Please don't make the same mistake I did. High and Low is an essential pillar of cinema that must be seen at one's earliest convenience.