High and Low (1963, Kurosawa)

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 09 Nov 2004, 17:22

Has anyone seen this? How does it compare to some of his other work (I've only seen his samurai stuff - 7 SAMURAI, YOJIMBO, THRONE OF BLOOD, SANJURO et al) - is it as good as them? (High and Low is a "modern" - for 1963 - police drama/thriller movie).

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 09 Nov 2004, 17:36

I aint bothetred with any of his non samurai films as really I dont give a shit at all, I may love his work, but thats his samurai work I am not really interested at all in his other films dont know why, maybe its like certain directors should stick to one genre like Samurais and stay there as when they venture outside there boundries they falter? but a lot of his other films get good remarks and reviews, so get it and the HK dvds were only a quid or 2 in some sales, worth a try I guess.

JetBlack · Post by **JetBlack** » 10 Nov 2004, 08:05

Why do you think he should've stuck to the Samurai films if you haven't even seen any of his films from other genres?

I'd say Ikiru is his best film, and you sure won't find any swordsplay in that.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 10 Nov 2004, 16:59

I just feel certain directors I dont want to see other films that they make, not sure why, but maybe I have seen so many superb Kurasawa films all Samurai film that if I start watching his other films and dont like them they may water down his Samurai films. and I cannot say he is always a great director either

gojensen · Post by **gojensen** » 16 Nov 2004, 18:11

I've seen "High and Low" - it's been a while, but it's "nothing" like his Samurai/period movies. It's more of a thriller. (I'm speaking story wise here, as I'm sure several thematic likenesses could be found.)

It's the "inspiration" for Mel Gibson's "Ransom" and at it's basest follows a similiar story line - that of kidnapping and ransom.

I found it to be a bit long winded, since there really wasn't much happening at times... but as I said it's been a while since I saw it.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Nov 2004, 19:53

"Stray Dog" sounded quite intriguing and interesting as well, I think its a police/detective film and is not a period piece but contemporary (for the 40's). One element of the synopsis seemed like Mainland Chinese police thriller The Missing Gun