
Directing
Sadatsugu Matsuda
Born — Died
1906-11-02 — 2003-01-20
Place of birth
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Known for
Directing
Credits
40 titles
Sadatsugu Matsuda (松田 定次, Matsuda Sadatsugu) (2 November 1906 – 20 January 2003, Tokyo, Japan) was a Japanese film director. He directed films from 1925 to 1969.
Known for
A film adaptation of the story “Gonzo and Sukejū” from a new perspective.
Yoimatsuri happyaku yachō
1947
NRThe second part of an action-packed action movie about the struggle between smugglers, the Japanese Coast Guard and G-men. Having caught a suspicious radio signal, the coast Guard discovers that a smuggling transaction is taking place and goes to the place. It was supposed to be a big catch, but they lose sight of the smugglers by finding and rescuing a woman drowning in the sea. The rescued woman says she jumped into the sea while escaping from a slaver's boat... A luxury version featuring the two main stars of the Toei company – Chiezo Kataoka and Utaemon Ichikawa.
G-men of Japan 2: Bloody Duel at Shipwreck Cape
1950
NRA young samurai who’s strong in love but weak in compassion, with a string of eccentric antics, diving into the water, wielding his spear, and fighting valiantly.
General Kappa
1944
6.5Oichi may have met her match as she vies against the evil beauty that has set her sights on destroying her. She must face numerous other challenges before confronting her greatest rival. While longing to live and love like other women, she realizes that she can never have a normal life, her sword which she holds on to like a security blanket will always come between her and such a life...
Trapped, the Crimson Bat
1969
NRNo synopsis available yet.
A Carriage Running in the Darkness
1947
7.4While the story of the Ako Clan's vendetta has been told countless times, never before has there been an array of major motion picture stars to bring new life to this timeless tale. Starting with the corrupt practices of Lord Kira and Yanagi-sawa, the Shogun's Secretary, which in essence led to the incident of Lord Asano's attacking Kira in the Pine Corridor of the Shogun's Palace, this is the definitive version. Asano Takumi no kami was a young lord with high scruples, who refused to join in the general corruption and bribery which ran rampant in the capital at that time. By not giving bribes, he angered Kira Kozuke no suke the elder lord in charge of protocol at the Palace. Refusing to teach the younger man, and giving him false instructions was only the beginning. Insults followed, and a man of honor had no choice but to draw his sword in anger. Forty seven masterless samurai are willing to give their lives to avenge their lord.
The 47 Masterless Samurai
1959
Behind the camera
A film adaptation of the story “Gonzo and Sukejū” from a new perspective.
Yoimatsuri happyaku yachō
1947
NRThe second part of an action-packed action movie about the struggle between smugglers, the Japanese Coast Guard and G-men. Having caught a suspicious radio signal, the coast Guard discovers that a smuggling transaction is taking place and goes to the place. It was supposed to be a big catch, but they lose sight of the smugglers by finding and rescuing a woman drowning in the sea. The rescued woman says she jumped into the sea while escaping from a slaver's boat... A luxury version featuring the two main stars of the Toei company – Chiezo Kataoka and Utaemon Ichikawa.
G-men of Japan 2: Bloody Duel at Shipwreck Cape
1950
NRA young samurai who’s strong in love but weak in compassion, with a string of eccentric antics, diving into the water, wielding his spear, and fighting valiantly.
General Kappa
1944
6.5Oichi may have met her match as she vies against the evil beauty that has set her sights on destroying her. She must face numerous other challenges before confronting her greatest rival. While longing to live and love like other women, she realizes that she can never have a normal life, her sword which she holds on to like a security blanket will always come between her and such a life...
Trapped, the Crimson Bat
1969
NRNo synopsis available yet.
A Carriage Running in the Darkness
1947
7.4While the story of the Ako Clan's vendetta has been told countless times, never before has there been an array of major motion picture stars to bring new life to this timeless tale. Starting with the corrupt practices of Lord Kira and Yanagi-sawa, the Shogun's Secretary, which in essence led to the incident of Lord Asano's attacking Kira in the Pine Corridor of the Shogun's Palace, this is the definitive version. Asano Takumi no kami was a young lord with high scruples, who refused to join in the general corruption and bribery which ran rampant in the capital at that time. By not giving bribes, he angered Kira Kozuke no suke the elder lord in charge of protocol at the Palace. Refusing to teach the younger man, and giving him false instructions was only the beginning. Insults followed, and a man of honor had no choice but to draw his sword in anger. Forty seven masterless samurai are willing to give their lives to avenge their lord.
The 47 Masterless Samurai
1959
6.5Young Lord Gentaro (Otomo Ryutaro) takes a journey to Edo in search of his future wife. Easier said than done, evil forces lurk in Edo and Gentaro must use his phenomenal sword skills to overcome the evil and find the love of his life. Another must have for fans of the great Otomo Ryutaro. And don't let the "silly" English title fool you, this is a great movie!
The Lord Takes a Bride
1957
NRA good set-in-per-WW2 ninkyô type film with outstanding performances.
Hoodlum Match
1965
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Tengu of Kiso
1948
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Black Cloud Road
1948
8.3In 1691 a terrible fire broke out in Denmacho, Yotsuya, burning down the towns around it, up to the shores of Shibaura. A month and a half later, another fire broke out, this time in Komagome, burning down the two gates of Asakusa and Sujikai, and continuing on into the night. As the government Elders consider evidence that these fires were arson, a fire breaks out in Hirakawa-cho, outside of Hanzo Gate. Nishonmaru catches on fire and burns down completely. When this rash of fires even strikes Kyoto, the task of finding who’s behind the arson, and stopping them falls to the Shogun’s uncle, the Elder Lord of Mito. Together with his trusted bodyguards, Kaku and Suke, the trio set of to save Japan from this scourge of evil. Featuring virtually all of their most famous stars, this is the best film in the Toei series about Mito Komon, one of Japan’s most popular historical figures who traveled through the country incognito to check on the people and fight injustice.
Lord Mito: All Star Version
1960
7.0Megastar Kataoka Chiezo is Vice-commander Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi in this realistic tale of Japan’s inner battles that led to the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate. Excellent performances and extremely good swordplay highlight this glimpse into the heart and soul of Japanese history. Although known as “Razor Blade” Hijikata, the vice-commander is a man of deep conviction with a little-known sense of humanity. Starting after the famed Ikedaya Incident, in which they saved Kyoto from Choshu’s plot to burn the city to ashes, they work hard to change the public’s view of them as merciless killers to their true mission of protecting the shogun. This is an extraordinary tale of blood and guts! From the pen of award winning author Shotaro Ikenami (Bandit Vs. Samurai, Hunter in the Dark, Misumi's The Last Samurai)
Restoration Fire
1961
10.0Gotō Matabei is the most able and fierce samurai of the Kuroda clan. However, he gradually dislikes the ruthless personality of Kuroda Nagamasa and leaves the clan. Seven years later, he joins Toyotomi Hideyori's army. Filmed in 1945 and released in 1952.
The Beggar General
1952
6.8A young girl named Oichi is abandoned by her mother and blinded by a lightning strike. When her guardian is killed, she learns to wield a sword from a traveling ronin. As she develops into a master swordsman, her profession becomes that of a bounty hunter. Many test her sword and many die by her skills. She travels throughout the countryside to seek her mother and her revenge.
Crimson Bat, the Blind Swordswoman
1969
6.4One of Japan’s most popular folklore characters, Tange Sazen, the one-eyed and one-armed swordsman, must rescue the Yagyu clan from the treachery of a master plotting to take control over a sword fighting school.
Secret of The Golden Spell
1958
NRDuring a time of war, Lord Ogata is betrayed by two of his closest vassals and killed by his enemy, Sarashina Danjo. Ten years later, Lord Ogata's only living heir, now a skilled ninja, uses sorcery to avenge the murders of his parents.
Ninja's Weapon
1956
NRThe investigative unit of the Metropolitan Police Department organized a special investigative team to uncover a series of frequent gang robberies and car gangs... This is the first film in the Nippon G-Men series, of which four more films were later released.
G-Men of Japan
1948
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Kunisada Chūji
1946
NR"Masayoshi Ryanko" jumps into the den of the underworld swirling with smuggling and murder, and defeats the culprit with a heart-pounding pistol.
His Pistol is Hell
1958
8.0A young samurai learns that he is the illegitimate son of the Shogun. Hoping to reunite with his birth father, he travels to Edo to find Shogun Yoshimune.
Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 1 and 2
1959
NRA whirlwind sweeps through Takadanobaba. The familiar fighter Yasubei stuns the city of Edo in this exhilarating tale of swordsmanship and human compassion.
Takadanobaba zengo
1944
No synopsis available yet.
Muriyari sanzengoku
1929
6.0The legendary one-eyed one-armed swordsman Tange Sazen is back to aid a Magistrate in his efforts to steal bribe money on its way to Edo for the benefit to poor farmers.
Return of the One-Armed Swordsman
1960
NRThird film of the Bannai Tarao series starring Chiezo Kataoka
Twenty-One Fingerprints
1948
5.5The story of Japan’s greatest warrior, Miyamoto Musashi, after his historic duel with Sasaki Kojiro on Ganryu Island.
Swordsman of the Two Sword Style
1956
NRYoung lord investigates the mysterious death that takes place in the underworld.
Case of a Young Lord 10: The Mystery of the Spider Lady
1962
9.0With plenty of action, and a strong story about the growth and development of an expert swordsman, who just happens to be from an extremely privileged background.
20 Duels of Young Shingo, Part 1
1961
7.8Frustrated with the bad behavior of his lord, Inaba Yajuro (Otomo) declares that he is leaving the clan and sets off on a journey that leads him into a small town besieged by a violent group of brigands. In a kind of homage to Kurosawa's 7 Samurai, the townspeople have been unable to defend themselves and Inaba sets out to teach them how to stand up for themselves. Meanwhile the vile Lord Yasumasa has sent the 4 finest swordsmen in the clan out to hunt Inaba down and kill him. Led by the magnificent Ichibei (Konoe), a master of weaponry in his own right, everything points to an ultimate showdown between the former friends in a battle to the death.
Duel of Blood and Sand
1963
NRThe second film in the 20 Duels of Young Shingo trilogy directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda.
20 Duels of Young Shingo, Part 2
1961
NRThe adventures of Aoi Shingo continue. Shingo is finally given permission to officially meet his father, the Shogun. However, his journey is disturbed by those who wish to claim his life. This is the third part of "THE 10 DUELS OF YOUNG SHINGO", following the first 2 parts (which were actually done as one movie). The tension mounts as young Shingo must face obstacles the like of which he had never before seen. And, can he avenge the death of his master? The man to whom he owes everything.
Shingo's Original Challenge, Part 3
1960
6.0Toei’s 10th anniversary film, featuring an all-star cast from the golden movie era of the 1960s. A famous story of the 47 loyal samurai. When Lord Asano is unjustly executed, his loyal retainers strike back for revenge.
The Ako Retainers
1961
NRNo synopsis available yet.
Yami ni hikarume
1950
7.0Being acquainted with the bride's uncle, a famed private detective is invited to a wedding ceremony. The groom's family is moneyed and owns large tracts of land. The bride is a former teacher and was rumoured to have had an affair, which explains why the groom's family opposed the union. On the night of the ceremony the bride and groom are killed in a sealed room. There is evidence left, however, as there is a hand print on the wall albeit with only the trace of three fingers.
Three-Fingered Detective
1947
6.0Private eye Bannai Tarao (Chiezo Kataoka) and his assistant Masako (Chizuru Kitagawa) investigate the mysterious murder of a baseball player who was killed in the middle of a game.
Foul Play
1955
NRBored Hatamoto film #21
Bored Hatamoto: Mysterious Crimson Tower
1957
6.0While on the road, famed Yakuza Boss Jirocho is falsely accused of starting a peasant's uprising and chased by the law. Meanwhile, one of his henchmen in an attempt to raise money for the Boss gambles away not only all their funds, but their clothing as well. Jirocho, famed for his honesty and integrity must take on the challenge of rival gangs while trying to elude the government's officials at the same time. Things really heat up when the most famous of all Yakuza Bosses, Chuji of Kunisada gets involved. Will he team up with his old friend or is gang warfare about to erupt?
Road of Chivalry
1960
5.5Master swordsman and loyal 'Hatamoto' (direct vassal to the Shogun), Saotome Mondonosuke, is sent to investigate an intrigue centering on the Date Clan. The 300th film in the long and illustrious career of Ichikawa Utaemon, one of the most popular Japanese film stars of the period; it brought out an all-star cast as well.
Bored Hatamoto: Idle Vassal Tribute
1958
6.0Saotome Mondonosuke pursues the culprit who placed a malicious curse upon Shogun Tsunekichi.
Ninja Assassins
1960
This 1956 adaptation of the novel with the same title puts more focus on the characters and their interactions than the previous version.
Ancient Coins
1956
5.8Tange Sazen interferes with an evil plot against the Iga Yagyu family.
Tange Sazen and the Princess
1961
