Based on an Ed McBain novel, High and Low is a gripping, film noir style thriller. A ruthless kidnapper, aiming to snatch wealthy industrialist Kingo Gondo's young son, takes the chauffeur's boy by mistake - but still demands the ransom. Gondo (Toshiro Mifune) is left with an agonising choice, since paying the ransom will ruin him. Meanwhile the tenacious Inspector Tokuro is equally ruthless in his pursuit of the kidnapper, and the tension increases as he closes in on his man.