Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

High and Low

1963

Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Y’all, this movie – it’s a rollercoaster. Directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, this film has got it all: high-stakes corporate takeovers, ransom kidnappings, moral dilemmas, drug overdoses, and some truly wild 60s fashion choices.

The story follows Kingo Gondo (played by Kurosawa’s muse Toshiro Mifune), an executive trying to pull off a hostile takeover of the shoe company where he works. Just as he’s putting his risky plan in motion, his chauffeur’s son gets kidnapped and the ransom demanded could ruin Gondo’s shot at gaining control. After much hand-wringing, and pressure from his wife, Gondo decides to pay up to save the boy. But even after forking over the cash, there’s plenty of twists and turns ahead involving the police investigation to find the kidnapper.

Let’s just say the second half of this flick transforms into a real nail-biter once the cops get involved. Kurosawa does an amazing job ratcheting up the tension as they meticulously track down clues and try to build their case against the suspect. The lead detective Inspector Tokura, played with quiet intensity by Tatsuya Nakadai, is so sharply focused he barely blinks!

The cast overall is stellar, and it’s cool to see Kurosawa regulars like Takashi Shimura and Yoshio Tsuchiya in supporting roles. The film also makes great use of camera angles and lighting to amp up the suspense. I found myself literally leaning forward during some of the interrogation scenes!

So if you’re craving a smart, well-acted thriller that will keep you guessing, put High and Low on your list. Kurosawa is a master at spinning an intricate plot while also probing deeper questions about morality and justice. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve seen this criminally underrated classic! Let’s dissect that ending in the comments.