When the prestigious Criterion Collection issues a new edition of one of their previous DVD releases, the upgrade is usually justifiable, thanks to both better image quality and an abundance of new material. The latest film to get a Criterion makeover is Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's acclaimed and influential 1963 kidnapping thriller High and Low—originally titled Heaven and Hell—adapted from King's Ransom (1959), an 87th Precinct detective novel by prolific author Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter). An edge-of-your-seat contemporary thriller that represented a departure for Kurosawa, High and Low serves up a vivid portrait of rich and poor in Japanese society as it spins a tale about a wealthy industrialist named Gondo (screen legend Toshiro Mifune), whose family is targeted by a scheming blackmailer who mistakenly kidnaps the son of Gondo's chauffeur. As the police race to retrieve the child, Kurosawa's directorial prowess is evident not just in the considerable suspense generated, but also in the potent social commentary that informs the film. Befitting a classic, Criterion's two-disc edition is decked out with DVD extras, including a new feature-length audio commentary by Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince, a 37-minute documentary on the making of High and Low (originally broadcast in Japan as part of the excellent Toho Masterworks series Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create), a rare 1981 TV interview with Toshiro Mifune, a new interview with actor Tsutomu Yamazaki (who played the kidnapper), and a booklet containing a new essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and an on-set account by esteemed Japanese-film expert Donald Richie. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (J. Shannon)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 2, 2011—Criterion, 143 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1963's High and Low features a fine transfer with DTS-HD 4.0 sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by Akira Kurosawa scholar Stephen Price, a “making-of” featurette (37 min.), interviews with costars Toshiro Mifune (31 min.) and Tsutomu Yamazaki (20 min.), a booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and an on-set account by Japanese film scholar Donald Richie, and trailers. Bottom line: a Kurosawa classic makes a welcome Blu-ray debut.]
High and Low
Criterion, 2 discs, 143 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $39.95 November 24, 2008
High and Low
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: