High and Low (天国と地獄)

TOHO CO., LTD.

A TOHO-KUROSAWA PRODUCTION

HIGH AND LOW

Produced by TOMOYUKI TANAKA and RYUZO KIKUSHIMA

Written by HIDEO OGUNI, EIJIRO HISAITA,

RYUZO KIKUSHIMA and AKIRA KUROSAWA

Cinematography by ASAKAZU NAKAI and TAKAO SAITO

Music by MASARU SATO Production Design by YOSHIRO MURAKI

Starring

TOSHIRO MIFUNE

TATSUYA NAKADAI

KYOKO KAGAWA TATSUYA MIHASHI

ISAO KIMURA, KENJIRO ISHIYAMA TAKESHI KATO, TAKASHI SHIMURA

JUN TAZAKI NOBUO NAKAMURA, YUNOSUKE ITO

TSUTOMU YAMAZAKI, MINORU CHIAKI EIJIRO TONO, YUTAKA SADA

Directed by AKIRA KUROSAWA

So what exactly is it you want?

Look, National Shoes is in business to make money.

That's right. You should think twice about this model.

Do you really think it will boost sales?

Hold on a second.

We're not losing money.

They're great shoes, but they cost too much.

And they're old-fashioned.

And another thing.

They're too durable.

If shoes don't wear out, we don't sell any.

Look, Gondo, women see shoes as accessories,

like hats and handbags.

They flock to stylish designs at affordable prices.

Exactly.

Our shoes are practical.

Women's hats don't wear long.

Why should their shoes?

You're wrong. Shoes and hats aren't the same.

A woman wears a hat on her head,

but shoes carry all her weight.

1-0 for you.

Listen, you may be happy with our product line,

but as director I have to ask why sales have been flat.

That's why we're here.

What are you asking me to do?

Let me be frank.

We are the directors of National Shoes.

I'm in charge of sales and operations. You run the factory.

Ishimaru takes care of design. Kamiya handles marketing.

Kawanishi is your right hand,

and a future executive.

We're all agreed on what our problem is.

And what might that be?

Our president.

The Old Man's backward. His dream shoe is an army boot.

But he holds enough stock to dominate the shareholder meetings.

We can't do a thing.

Show him the sample.

Look at this style, this taste. It's a sure winner.

Ishimaru, this is a masterpiece.

And we can make them at half the cost.

Well?

What would the Old Man say?

We won't let him say anything.

He may own a lot of stock, but what if we join forces?

He holds 25%.

You three together hold 21%.

Not enough to vote him out.

Gondo...

we included your holdings in our calculations.

What do you say? Will you join us?

With your 13%, we'd have 34%.

More than enough to boot the Old Man out.

And who'd be the new president?

Well, you're certainly a candidate, but –

But since this plan was Baba's idea,

he'll be the next president.

You'll be executive director.

Fair enough?

The Old Man may be old-fashioned,

but at least he makes real shoes.

Yours are trash.

Listen to me.

I started as an apprentice at National Shoes when I was 16.

Aside from time in the army, I've spent 30 years of my life there.

I know every sound and smell in that factory.

We've made many shoes. I remember them all.

They were all good, durable shoes.

I can't put our name on garbage like this.

Listen! This shoe wouldn't last a month.

There's no steel shank.

The insole is cardboard,

glued rather than properly stitched.

The inner lining is flimsy.

You want money for this?

But the costs –

Costs are eating our profits.

- Business is business! - I know that!

I love this business more than I can say.

Shoes are my life. I won't do slipshod work.

So you'll keep making the Old Man's army boots?

No. He's wrong too.

He's wrong. We're wrong. What's left?

I'll make my ideal shoes: comfortable, durable, yet stylish.

Expensive to make maybe,

but profitable in the long run.

How romantic. Only we won't let you.

If we vote with the Old Man, we can force you out.

Be my guest. The shareholders' meeting is next month.

Kawanishi, show the gentlemen the door.

Leaving already?

Pardon us, Mrs. Gondo.

Why isn't my husband seeing you out?

If you'll excuse us.

What just happened?

Nothing.

It certainly didn't look that way.

Don't worry. You wouldn't understand.

It's business.

You always say that to keep me quiet.

What's he got up his sleeve?

You're his right-hand man. You must know his plan.

The son of a bitch, kicking us out! Must be pretty sure of himself.

What's he up to?

Why didn't you ask him yourself?

Don't be a wiseass.

You may not know his scheme,

but help us stop him and we'll make you a director.

Please don't tempt me.

You want to be his flunky forever? Think it over.

Jun, that's enough!

They're furious.

Will we be all right?

Wait and see.

A new round of feuding?

Sure looks like it.

They want to kick me out, but I've taken measures.

They'd have to be pretty serious. What measures?

I don't want to say until everything's in place.

Then I'll do them all in.

Jun really takes after you.

You both love blood sport.

Jun!

Oh, Shinichi, it's you. - I'm the sheriff this time.

Jun, is it your turn to be the outlaw?

Well, don't run. Hide and then ambush the sheriff.

A man must kill or be killed.

Now go. And don't lose.

- You get worse by the day. - What do you mean?

Your attitude.

Success isn't worth losing your humanity.

A woman can't understand.

This isn't about wanting to become president.

I just want to make shoes my way.

Yes, it is.

Osaka Hotel? Did you call Osaka?

One moment.

Hello?

Room 310, please. Gondo calling.

Hello. It's me. How'd it go? All settled?

How much? Within my limit?

Great work!

Good. Settle the deal. And quickly.

Call me again when it's done.

I'll send the deposit tonight.

I'm counting on you.

I want you to go to Osaka. Book a flight.

Use the phone upstairs. I'm waiting for a call.

Is everything all right?

Something about this scares me.

Hello. Yes, it's me.

It's all set? Great, thanks.

Just a moment.

Well?

10:00 p.m. flight.

Kawanishi's off at 10:00 with a check for 50 million.

Time for a toast.

I kept you two in the dark, but now I can talk about it.

My share isn't 13%.

I've bought 15% more over the last three years,

and just now on the phone, I bought another 19%.

That's 47%.

Even with the Old Man, they only have 46%.

It was a risky move, but National Shoes is mine.

But where did you get that kind of money?

I borrowed against everything, including this house.

It was hard work raising 50 million.

One yen less and Osaka would have refused.

Now I don't even own the clothes on my back.

I've bet my entire fortune.

But wait a minute.

This is just the deposit, isn't it?

That's usually one third. Where's the other 100 million?

If I gain control of the company, I'll get the rest.

In shock? Have a drink.

Excuse me.

Have you seen my boy, Shinichi?

He and Jun are outside. What is it?

I brought this for him.

I'll call Jun.

Aoki, drive Kawanishi to the airport.

My flight's at 10:00.

Yes, this is Gondo.