(aka Sadaji Matsuda, 1906-2003)
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Ninja's Weapon (1956)
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Port of Honor (1957)
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The Lord Takes a Bride (1957)
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Rebellion (1957)
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A Chivalrous Spirit (1958)
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Seven from Edo (1958)
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Tange Sazen: Secret of the Golden Spell (1958)
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The 47 Masterless Samurai (1959)
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Tange Sazen and the Mystery of the Twin Dragons (1959)
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Mighty Shosuke (1960)
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Road of Chivalry (1960)
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Tange Sazen: The Mysterious Sword (1960)
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Ako Roshi (1961)
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Shingo's Challenge: Part 1 (1961)
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Knightly Advice (1962)
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Duel of Blood and Sand (1963)
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Vanquished Foes (1964)
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Sadatsugu Matsuda was the illegitimate son of Shozo Makino, the legendary director credited as the founding father of Japanese cinema, and also the half-brother of his fellow jidai-geki director Masahiro Makino. Matsuda enjoyed long and productive partnerships with such classic samurai film actors as Cheizo Kataoka, Utaemon Ichikawa and Hashizo Okawa.
Most of Matsuda's work was well-crafted but unremarkable matinee fare, though he did have his moments of prestige. His 1961 Ako Roshi was a big-budget, star-studded adaptation of the 47 Ronin story produced as the Toei's 10th anniversary feature. Matsuda also has the distinction of directing Japan's first color Cinemascope production, 1957's The Lord Takes a Bride.
Sadatsugu Matsuda is sometimes billed as Sadaji Matsuda, which I'm guessing is like being known as both William Matsuda and Bill Matsuda.
The Filmmakers
