High and Low 1963

[Tivify] An extraordinary example of creating tension and suspense with minimal elements, especially in the masterful first part that takes place exclusively in Gondo's apartment. There are all the elements of Akira Kurosawa's cinema brought together in one of the most intense thrillers, with a description of Japan divided into impoverished classes that look up the top of the hill at the arrogant splendor of economic success. Splendid actors, an excellent script and a masterful sense of pacing serve to enrich the film.

I'd rather be told the cruel truth than be fed gentle lies.

I have to admit that I expected a bit more as this movie and director are held in high regards by so many famous movie critics. Don't get me wrong, there are some fascinating themes on display in the first half of the movie. But it just seemed rather odd that those themes seemed to be tossed aside in the second half for a rather pedestrian case about police work. The movie was at its best in Gondo's home.

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Great film by Akira Kurosawa, everything is very good.

It's a well done thriller, but it's more than that with Kurosawa's compositions and the values being explored in the film between high and low class, tradition versus modernism/Westernism. The tension of the first half can seem faster than the latter portion where a police procedural takes the focus, but the same values and biases are at stake in both sections. Why the police make choices they do in the latter half are informed by the first, and lay bare their prejudices, as well as society's. The film's final minutes are chilling.

It started out great for me. The tension in the first half is amazing. The second part gets a bit slow. Especially the police meeting went on for way to long in my opinion. Still, I think it’s a solid film!

Was expecting a masterpiece and didn’t quite get that. But still, it’s very good and an easy watch.

Could probably have been a little more ruthless in the editing room.

7/10

Really liked it. You don't see this type of movies nowadays. A little long though.

The original title of the film is Tengoku to Jigoku.

This Movie was Ahead of it's Time.
Many Hollywood, Bollywood and other movies are inspired from this movie.

Amazing film. Gets right into it and is high pressure cat and mouse until the very end. The ransom method on the train is top notch. Surely this has been copied in other films, right? I can't think of any though...