Toshiro Mifune is unforgettable as Kingo Gondo, a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a cold-blooded kidnapper in High and Low, the highly influential domestic drama and police procedural from director Akira Kurosawa. Adapting Ed McBain’s detective novel King’s Ransom, Kurosawa moves effortlessly from compelling race-against-time thriller to exacting social commentary, creating a diabolical treatise on class and contemporary Japanese society.

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Video Quality

The Criterion Collection presents High and Low on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of a stunning 4K digital restoration in 2.39:1 from the 35mm Original Camera Negative courtesy of Tokyo Lab Ltd. The film is presented in 2160p SDR, which allows the film to look better than ever despite the lack of HDR implementation. The film was last released on Blu-Ray from the label in 2011 from an older master, and that disc is also included in this package. The Blu-Ray stood tall at the time, but the 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation thrives with the technical innovations of the last nearly 15 years. The black and white cinematography is unbelievably rich with smooth gradients and valuable textures. The contrast is always stable and provides improvements in sharpness.

The transfer has eradicated virtually all dust specks and print damage that may have previously lingered on the older master. This transfer maintains the filmic quality of the picture with fine grain unleashing the detail you covet. The textural wonders in the costumes and production design are readily apparent. The frame exhibits some excellent depth to the image which conjures a keen sense of scale within the array of settings. Black levels are deep without any serious nuisances such as digital noise or compression artifacts, and highlights never appear clipped. The encoding helps this one hold together in top form. The Criterion Collection has treated one of its top titles with the care it deserves.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a spectacular restored DTS-HD 4.0 surround sound track (in a 5.1 container) in the original Japanese with optional English subtitles. Dialogue comes through clearly without any trace of sibilance, while also never allowing itself to get overshadowed by competing elements. The score from Masaru Satô has never sounded better in terms of pure fidelity. Dynamic environmental sounds make a bigger impression when in public spaces with a bustling crowd. Every sound is rendered with finesse in the mix. Even with a film of this vintage, there do not seem to be any serious instances of age-related wear and tear. Criterion has given the film a soundscape that thrives.

Special Features

The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of High and Low includes a booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien and an on-set account by Japanese-film scholar Donald Richie. This work explores the themes of the film, the legacy of the feature, and more which is very illuminating. The on-disc special features are as follows:

Audio Commentary: Akira Kurosawa scholar Stephen Prince, author of The Warrior’s Camera: The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa, provides a commentary track recorded in 2008 that offers incredible insights into the career of Akira Kurosawa, historical and cultural context, the background of the creative figures, and more which is a great listen.

Akira Kurosawa – It Is Wonderful to Create: A 37-minute documentary exploring the creation of High and Low is included which is a part of a larger series spotlighting the work of the iconic filmmaker. This includes interviews with director Akira Kurosawa; actors Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyoko Kagawa, Takeshi Kato, and Tatsuya Mihashi; script supervisor Teruyo Nogami; cameramen Takao Saito and Masaharu Ueda; and other cast and crew.

Toshiro Mifune: A 31-minute interview with the performer from 1981 is provided in which he dives into his career while promoting Shogun.

Tsutomu Yamazaki: A 19-minute interview with the performer from 2008 is provided in which he reveals what it was like to work with Kurosawa, memorable moments during the production, and more.

Trailers

- Japanese Trailer (3:38)

- Japanese Teaser (1:54)

- U.S. Trailer (1:43)

Final Thoughts

High and Low is yet another masterwork from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. While the common person may associate the auteur more with thematically layered period pieces, there is no doubt that Kurosawa can explore modern society with just as deft of a hand. The story itself is fairly straightforward, but the ways in which you can analyze it are sprawling with many avenues to explore. The film is not only rich with meaning, but Kurosawa crafts some haunting shots that make the film just as visually engaging. This is an amazing film from one of the best to ever do it. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a tremendous A/V presentation and some exceptional special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is the best way to watch it at home. Highly Recommended

The Criterion Collection edition of High and Low is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.