Sadatsugu Matsuda [Film Director]

Matsuda was born in 1906 as a son of Makino Shozo often credited as the Father of Japanese cinema. He started his film career in image development departments of Makino Educational Films studio and Makino Kinema Toujiin studio, working his way up to cameraman, assistant director, and finally director. After working for companies such as Shinko Kinema and Nikkatsu, he became the post-war pillar for Toei jidaigeki, continuously releasing large-scale films. He directed his first CinemaScope film, Ōtorijō no Hanayome, in 1957. He also worked on all-star cast films during the golden age of cinema such as the Chūshingura films of 1956, 1959, and 1961. Estimated to have directed more than 200 films in his lifetime, Matsuda is a giant in the history of jidaigeki.