High and Low - English subtitled
Classic by Akira Kurosawa about a wealthy industrialist whose family is targeted by a cold-blooded kidnapper. A compelling combination of thriller and social criticism. Spike Lee recently completed a US remake.
Kingo Gondo (Toshirô Mifune) is about to acquire a majority stake in the company where he has worked most of his life. His plan risks falling apart when his driver’s little son is kidnapped – a mistake, as the kidnapper was actually targeting Gondo’s son. Paying the ransom would result in Gondo’s financial ruin. He hires a detective to track down the kidnapper.
A pulp novel by Ed McBain formed the basis for this masterpiece by Akira Kurosawa. The first hour of the film mainly takes place in Gondo’s luxurious villa, which towers high above the city. In the second half of the film, the detective’s investigation leads to a slum. In this way, Kurosawa visualises the social and economic differences between the businessman and the kidnapper, and critiques the gap between rich and poor in post-war Japan.
High And Low raises questions about honour, loyalty and man’s moral responsibility. The film enhanced Kurosawa’s international fame and was highly influential. To this day: at the Cannes film festival, Spike Lee presented a remake (Highest 2 Lowest) starring Denzel Washington.