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High and Low

Directed by Akira Kurosawa · 1963 ·

Short answer

Is High and Low worth watching?

Yes. High and Low (1963) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

83%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

86% Editorial Rating
88% Audience snapshot · excluded
80 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
8.4 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 22m
Age rating
NR (US) · 12 (UK) · M (Australia)
Cast
Toshirō Mifune , Tatsuya Nakadai , Kyōko Kagawa , Tatsuya Mihashi , Isao Kimura , Kenjirō Ishiyama , Takeshi Katō , Takashi Shimura , Jun Tazaki , Nobuo Nakamura
Streaming
HBO Max
Country
Japan
Language
Japanese

Also known as 天国と地獄 El cielo y el infierno El infierno del odio Entre le ciel et l'enfer Zwischen Himmel und Hölle Céu e Inferno 천국과 지옥 天国与地狱

Where to watch

  • HBO Max

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Where to watch High and Low by country

Country Streaming on
Japan U-NEXT
United Kingdom BFI Player
United States HBO Max

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (86/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (88%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (80/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.4/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime, thriller pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is High and Low worth watching?

    Yes — High and Low earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, crime, thriller pick. Read our full review (4/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    IMDb Top 250 #72 (8.4/10) — High and Low remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is High and Low about?

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

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    In-depth 5 min read English High and Low

    High and Low (1963) Review: The Price of Doing Right

    Akira Kurosawa turns a kidnapping into a test of responsibility, then widens the frame to an entire city. A spoiler-free review of the staging, police investigation and Toshiro Mifune's performance.

    An outstanding moral thriller and police procedural. High and Low is compelling for its precise staging and difficult central choice, though its methodical investigation asks for patience after the urgent opening.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    High and Low stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    High and Low production still 1
    High and Low production still 2
    High and Low production still 3
    High and Low production still 4
    High and Low production still 5
    High and Low production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    High and Low: frequently asked questions

    Is High and Low worth watching?

    Yes. High and Low (1963) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch High and Low?

    In the United States, High and Low streams on HBO Max with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; BFI Player in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is High and Low?

    High and Low runs 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes).

    What is High and Low rated?

    High and Low is rated NR in the United States, 12 in the UK and M in Australia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in High and Low?

    High and Low is directed by Akira Kurosawa and stars Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyōko Kagawa, Tatsuya Mihashi, Isao Kimura.

    What is the Metascore for High and Low?

    Metacritic's Metascore for High and Low is 80 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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