{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "@id": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/998534/tomu-uchida",
  "name": "Tomu Uchida",
  "url": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/998534/tomu-uchida",
  "knownForDepartment": "Directing",
  "description": "Uchida started out at the Taikatsu studio in the early 1920s, but came to prominence at Nikkatsu, adapting literary works with the screenwriter Yasutarō Yagi in a realist style. His 1929 film A Living Puppet (Ikeru ningyo) was selected as the fourth best film of the year by the film journal, Kinema Junpo. Many of his 1930s films featured the actor Isamu Kosugi. One such work, Policeman (Keisatsukan), has been called \"a tremendously stylish gangster movie about the love-hate relationship between a cop and a criminal, once childhood friends\" It is Uchida’s only surviving complete silent film. Uchida borrows from Hollywood gangster films and expressionist techniques in a story of a young policeman tracking down an old friend who is now a criminal. His work from the 1920 and 1930s possess a leftist social commentary and were often some of the most critically acclaimed films of the time. Kinema Junpo selected Jinsei Gekijo as the number two film of 1936, Karininaki Zenshin as the best film of 1937, and Tsuchi as the best film of 1939. The latter was praised for its realistic depiction of the lives of poor Meiji-period tenant farmers. Unfortunately, few of Uchida's prewar works survive in their entirety.\n\nIn 1941, Uchida quit the Nikkatsu studio, and after failing to start his own production company, in 1943 began to work with the Manchukuo Film Association, although he never completed a film there. In 1945 he was taken prisoner and held in Manchuria until 1954, when he returned to Japan.\n\nUpon he return, he joined the Toei studio. His post-war movies reveal a strong genre stylist with no immediately discernible themes, much like many golden-age Hollywood directors. Uchida effortlessly directed chamber dramas, comedies, and samurai epics, often in color, and with a forward-looking dose of irony.",
  "birthDate": "1898-04-26",
  "deathDate": "1970-08-07",
  "birthPlace": "Okayama, Okayama, Japan",
  "alternateName": [
    "Тому Утида"
  ],
  "image": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/mGdgdOVcLySZSOLmAaCPVEI8uO.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879755"
  ],
  "lastVerified": "5 May 2026",
  "filmography": [
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 117212,
      "title": "A Fugitive from the Past",
      "year": "1965",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.327,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/myDkLxltqpusXoAyorK1XZ0TRPa.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/117212/a-fugitive-from-the-past-1965"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 144525,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi: Showdown at Hannyazaka Heights",
      "year": "1962",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.5,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/dSo1GTiZnmlLxq0iNfPffRES8ku.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/144525/miyamoto-musashi-showdown-at-hannyazaka-heights-1962"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 421634,
      "title": "The Eleventh Hour",
      "year": "1957",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.429,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/997zCqOPMwoPjpw9E1zV7aMNleP.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/421634/the-eleventh-hour-1957"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 154764,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi",
      "year": "1961",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.333,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/jwBtKTX2nuQe5Crx7d4JNGXkqME.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/154764/miyamoto-musashi-1961"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 116309,
      "title": "Twilight Saloon",
      "year": "1955",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gc4K2riCrnagwrBSmW9JprN1s5a.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/116309/twilight-saloon-1955"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 184244,
      "title": "Hero of the Red Light District",
      "year": "1960",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.727,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/uBhHuFSE4j0jvcbo3yHFGJvJure.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/184244/hero-of-the-red-light-district-1960"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 144534,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi IV: The Duel at Ichijo-ji Temple",
      "year": "1964",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.042,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/hH2yJKzGdEMhAatlBS9BRNE09qa.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/144534/miyamoto-musashi-iv-the-duel-at-ichijo-ji-temple-1964"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 144531,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi III: Birth of Two Sword Style",
      "year": "1963",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/369fX1W4nGXCAPDtIUHayKZYBSH.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/144531/miyamoto-musashi-iii-birth-of-two-sword-style-1963"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 144535,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi V: Musashi vs Kojiro",
      "year": "1965",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.333,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/2G8w8n5dWU7D5N5L4ihGETd9iVK.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/144535/miyamoto-musashi-v-musashi-vs-kojiro-1965"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 108650,
      "title": "Souls in the Moonlight",
      "year": "1957",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/8bo3GHjKy5ae007IA08cd9XlsaZ.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/108650/souls-in-the-moonlight-1957"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 93424,
      "title": "Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji",
      "year": "1955",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.355,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/wFoSR8ySoPnxpYiEDnp6JscVGQq.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/93424/bloody-spear-at-mount-fuji-1955"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 158249,
      "title": "Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka",
      "year": "1959",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 5.25,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/sirgtXeBdxS7MRjuJG6LyPTvMUq.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/158249/chikamatsu-s-love-in-osaka-1959"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 261680,
      "title": "The Mad Fox",
      "year": "1962",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.438,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/mTIksgtzxtjaguZXraGZz2rIxIG.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/261680/the-mad-fox-1962"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 116313,
      "title": "A Hole of My Own Making",
      "year": "1955",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gIpMksWrmXgGzHxwaIAqnVjO0Pr.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/116313/a-hole-of-my-own-making-1955"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 369568,
      "title": "The Outsiders",
      "year": "1958",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/A8bfc76uNGw5QKJuGYX8HvHp7Rr.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/369568/the-outsiders-1958"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 228352,
      "title": "Souls in the Moonlight II",
      "year": "1958",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.6,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/vIotPYjs5LsljWhcbeFcRx7CftU.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/228352/souls-in-the-moonlight-ii-1958"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 144536,
      "title": "Miyamoto Musashi VI: Swords of Death",
      "year": "1971",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.75,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/lFFbfzBG56EqpVluuO9ojkrP6CC.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/144536/miyamoto-musashi-vi-swords-of-death-1971"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 422432,
      "title": "The Horse Boy",
      "year": "1957",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": null,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/AbUVsAXOPmGDUKhJWXeSGfuur37.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/422432/the-horse-boy-1957"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 1075835,
      "title": "Sun over the River",
      "year": "1934",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": null,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/9QpQ8CDlw70VYyDdxUZHKm7CuXo.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/1075835/sun-over-the-river-1934"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 228353,
      "title": "Souls in the Moonlight III",
      "year": "1959",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.6,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/5FDVeENXGtfJ610tdcwFM5gZB4O.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/228353/souls-in-the-moonlight-iii-1959"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 423291,
      "title": "The Master Spearman",
      "year": "1960",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/pRSBi8jBBHr7YhQcUIVFiPlgHku.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/423291/the-master-spearman-1960"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 423350,
      "title": "Hishakaku and Kiratsune: A Tale of Two Yakuza",
      "year": "1968",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/nKb3lgjcMDJrrLHbwCWJFIpl27X.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/423350/hishakaku-and-kiratsune-a-tale-of-two-yakuza-1968"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 277226,
      "title": "The Revenge Champion",
      "year": "1931",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/tnK273ZNFl0CVMr01rYi6MtENEm.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/277226/the-revenge-champion-1931"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 574444,
      "title": "A Living Puppet",
      "year": "1929",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 10,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gbWJdEjLtqqa3GjMiYuZnsHBWuU.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/574444/a-living-puppet-1929"
    }
  ]
}