High and Low
1963 – Japan
The great Akira Kurosawa is mostly famous for his epics set in medieval Japan, but my favorite Kurosawa film is set in modern-day Yokohama Harbor. High and Low (or by its alternate translation “Heaven and Hell”) is staged like a three-act play, beginning with a besieged businessman (Toshiro Mifune) receiving a ransom demand for his kidnapped son (who turns out to be the son of his chauffeur). The chase is on from there, and I won’t say much except that this film is a feast of clever details and savvy police work. If you can handle subtitles, I promise you’ll be transfixed. – [imdb]