Cinema has few masters as revered as Akira Kurosawa, and among his rich body of work, High and Low (1963) stands out as a suspenseful, morally complex, and visually commanding masterpiece. Screening at The Grosvenor on Tuesday, 6th May, this is a rare chance to experience a film that has influenced generations of filmmakers and is about to make headlines once again.

Based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom, High and Low begins as a gripping kidnapping thriller but quickly evolves into something deeper: a moral exploration of wealth, justice, and human fallibility. Kurosawa uses the wide frame and black-and-white photography to stunning effect, contrasting the rarefied air of a businessman’s hilltop mansion with the gritty realism of the city below. Toshiro Mifune, one of Kurosawa’s most frequent collaborators, delivers a commanding performance as a man torn between ambition and conscience.

Critics and filmmakers alike have hailed High and Low as a structural and thematic triumph. Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Paul Thomas Anderson have all acknowledged Kurosawa’s impact on their work, and it’s easy to see why in this film’s meticulous pacing, sharp social critique, and unforgettable visuals.

What makes High and Low endure isn’t just its craftsmanship, it’s its conscience. At a time when the gap between rich and poor feels more visible than ever, the film’s questions about what we owe each other across class lines feel strikingly relevant. The moral dilemma at the heart of the story remains potent, and its portrayal of the police investigation is still one of the most compelling in film history.

Hollywood has taken notice, for better or for worse... Spike Lee is currently working on a high-profile remake of High and Low starring Denzel Washington, due out later this year. Lee, who has long explored the intersection of race, class, and justice in his films, is an ideal director to reinterpret Kurosawa’s vision for today’s audiences. The remake has generated considerable buzz, making now the perfect time to revisit, or discover, the original before it’s reimagined.

There’s simply no substitute for seeing High and Low on the big screen. The Grosvenor’s intimate, stylish setting is the ideal venue to take in Kurosawa’s dynamic compositions and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or a newcomer to international classics, this is an unmissable opportunity to engage with one of the finest thrillers ever made.

us at The Grosvenor on Tuesday, 6th May, for a night of timeless cinema.