High and Low, 1963 - ★★★★★

The opening sequences are operatic in their intensity and blocking, but as intimate as a one set play. Mifune’s Gondo is the good man in a bad situation. 

He does not hesitate to sacrifice, and pays for the sins of people who wish him well, and those who resent him.

And yet he is never pathetic. He is never pitiable. He stands up to the resentful little shit that “ruins” his life and shows him the true power of human dignity.

What a masterpiece. Rivals “Throne of Blood” as Kurosawa’s finest.