High and Low (1963)

Drama Crime Thriller Mystery Directed by Akira Kurosawa
→ Influenced 12 films ← Inspired by 6 films

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

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Films that influenced High and Low

← Inspired By (6)

Films inspired by High and Low

→ High and Low influenced these (12)

Sources

Influenced By

  1. King's Ransom" by Ed McBain (1959)
    "*High and Low* is a loose adaptation of this American crime novel, which centers on a kidnapping case." High and Low %281963 film%29 Wikipedia
  2. The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy (1886)
    "Kurosawa's earlier film *Ikiru* was inspired by this novella, and its themes of existential reflection and moral dilemmas resonate in *High and Low*." Akira Kurosawa Landsurvival
  3. The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1869)
    "Kurosawa adapted this novel into a film in 1951, and its exploration of human psychology and morality influenced his storytelling approach in *High and Low*." Akira Kurosawa Landsurvival
  4. The Lower Depths" by Maxim Gorky (1902)
    "Kurosawa's 1957 adaptation of this play delves into social disparities, a theme central to *High and Low*." Akira Kurosawa Landsurvival
  5. The Glass Key" by Dashiell Hammett (1931)
    "While more directly influencing Kurosawa's *Yojimbo*, the narrative style and crime elements of Hammett's work also impacted *High and Low*." Yojimbo Wikipedia
  6. Double Indemnity (1944)

Influenced

  1. Parasite (2019)
    "Directed by Bong Joon-ho, *Parasite* explores themes of class disparity, mirroring the social commentary present in *High and Low*. Bong confirmed that the design of the wealthy family's house and the film's themes were directly inspired by Kurosawa's work." High and Low %281963 film%29 Wikipedia
  2. Full Circle (2023)
    "The miniseries *Full Circle*, directed by Steven Soderbergh, draws inspiration from *High and Low*. The plot of the series was influenced by Kurosawa's film, showcasing its enduring impact on contemporary storytelling." High and Low %281963 film%29 Wikipedia
  3. Inkaar (1977)
    "This Indian film is described as a Bollywood reproduction of *High and Low*, adapting its narrative to a different cultural context while maintaining the core themes of the original." High and Low %281963 film%29 Wikipedia
  4. Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
    "Directed by Spike Lee, this upcoming film is an English-language reinterpretation of *High and Low*. Starring Denzel Washington, the movie is set to release in theaters on August 22, 2025, and will be available on Apple TV+ beginning September 5, 2025." Highest 2 Lowest Wikipedia
  5. The Batman (2022)
    "Matt Reeves' *The Batman* features a set design and a deleted scene premise influenced by *High and Low*. The film's production designer revealed that Kurosawa's film served as inspiration for certain aspects of the movie." High and Low %281963 film%29 Wikipedia
  6. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
  7. Zodiac (2007)
  8. Chinatown (1974)
  9. Memories of Murder (2003)
  10. Taxi Driver (1976)
  11. The Dark Knight (2008)
  12. Panic Room (2002)

High and Low (1963), directed by Akira Kurosawa, was inspired by 6 earlier films — including King's Ransom" by Ed McBain, The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy, and The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky — and has been cited as an influence on 12 later works, such as Parasite, Full Circle, and Inkaar. Check out the citations below.