HIGH AND LOW

Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963) is a sharply crafted psychological drama that blends crime narrative with social commentary. The story follows businessman Gondo, who is confronted with an impossible decision when a kidnapper mistakenly abducts his chauffeur’s son instead of his own. Caught between financial ruin and ethical responsibility, he faces a tense struggle over justice, duty and personal principles.

The film is celebrated for its precise structure, strong character portrayals and striking visual style. As The San Francisco Chronicle noted: “It is possibly Kurosawa's most underrated masterpiece, rich in characterization and structure, yet lost in the shuffle among such classics as Rashomon and Seven Samurai.”

Today, High and Low stands as one of Kurosawa’s most powerful and thought-provoking works.