Akira Kurosawa’s gripping crime drama that masterfully blends moral complexity with social critique. 

Kingo Gondo, a wealthy executive whose life is upended when kidnappers mistakenly abduct his chauffeur’s son instead of his own child. Gondo faces a harrowing decision: sacrifice his ambitions to pay the ransom or preserve his wealth. 

Kurosawa’s meticulous direction, complemented by striking cinematography, explores class divides and ethical dilemmas in postwar Japan. Praised for its narrative depth and visual style, the film is considered one of Kurosawa’s masterpieces and a landmark in global cinema.