🎞 MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb › Best of › 1963 › High and Low

High and Low poster

High and Low (1963)

“Stark, intense drama almost beyond belief!”

8.4/10 · 1,201 votes 2h 22m nr ThrillerDramaCrimeMystery

#1 of 17 films from 1963 #10 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by Akira Kurosawa · Written by Akira Kurosawa, Eijiro Hisaita, Evan Hunter, Ryuzo Kikushima

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

A Yokohama shoe executive faces a wrenching choice when kidnappers mistakenly seize his chauffeur’s son but demand the ransom anyway.

Cast

Toshirō Mifuneas Kingo Gondo
Tatsuya Nakadaias Chief Detective Tokura
Kyōko Kagawaas Reiko Gondo
Tatsuya Mihashias Kawanishi, Gondo's secretary
Isao Kimuraas Detective Arai
Kenjirō Ishiyamaas Chief Detective 'Bos'n' Taguchi
Takeshi Katōas Detective Nakao
Takashi Shimuraas Chief of Investigation Section
Jun Tazakias Kamiya, National Shoes Publicity Director
Nobuo Nakamuraas Ishimaru, National Shoes Design Department Director
Yūnosuke Itōas Baba - National Shoes Executive
Tsutomu Yamazakias Ginjirô Takeuchi - Medical Intern
Minoru Chiakias First Reporter
Eijirō Tōnoas Factory Worker

Facts

Release dateMarch 1, 1963
Runtime142 min (2h 22m) — longer as the 1963 average of 131 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Crime, Mystery
Original title天国と地獄
LanguageJA
Budget$250,000
IMDbtt0057565

More from Akira Kurosawa

Seven SamuraiSeven Samurai1954 · ★ 8.5 · 3h 27m IkiruIkiru1952 · ★ 8.3 · 2h 23m YojimboYojimbo1961 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 50m The Hidden FortressThe Hidden Fortress1958 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 19m RashomonRashomon1950 · ★ 8.0 · 1h 28m RanRan1985 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 40m SanjuroSanjuro1962 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 36m Throne of BloodThrone of Blood1957 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 48m

If you liked High and Low

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night1967 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 49m Touch of EvilTouch of Evil1958 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 51m KluteKlute1971 · ★ 6.8 · 1h 54m Witness for the ProsecutionWitness for the Prosecution1957 · ★ 8.2 · 1h 56m Le TrouLe Trou1960 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 12m DiaboliqueDiabolique1955 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 58m The Night of the HunterThe Night of the Hunter1955 · ★ 7.9 · 1h 33m Anatomy of a MurderAnatomy of a Murder1959 · ★ 7.8 · 2h 41m

Questions

How long is High and Low?
High and Low runs 142 minutes (2h 22m).
Is High and Low worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.4/10 across 1,201 votes, which places it #1 of 17 films released in 1963 in this index (top 100%) and #10 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed High and Low?
High and Low was directed by Akira Kurosawa. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Seven Samurai (1954), Ikiru (1952), Yojimbo (1961).
Who stars in High and Low?
Toshirō Mifune as Kingo Gondo; Tatsuya Nakadai as Chief Detective Tokura; Kyōko Kagawa as Reiko Gondo; Tatsuya Mihashi as Kawanishi, Gondo's secretary; Isao Kimura as Detective Arai; Kenjirō Ishiyama as Chief Detective 'Bos'n' Taguchi.
What is High and Low rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for High and Low?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/53359.

Browse

Best of 1963Best thrillerThriller of the 1960sBest dramaDrama of the 1960sBest crimeCrime of the 1960sBest mysteryMystery of the 1960sAll lists
MTDb·Best films by year, genre and runtime·A century in numbers·Browse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.