Thunderball Japanese movie poster R74, originally uploaded by japanese-movie-posters.

Thunderball Japanese B2 movie poster R74

Sean Connery in Thunderball — this one is from the 1974 re-release in Japan.

Japanese movie posters

Kill Bill Advance Japanese B2 movie poster, originally uploaded by japanese-movie-posters.

Rare Casino Royale Japanese B1 movie poster (Brioni variant)

Let’s start things back up with a bang, shall we?

Those of you that regularly read this blog understand that I am very hesitant to use the word “rare” when it comes to posters. However, in this case, I feel good about using the word — this is the only one I’ve seen and frankly that is not a surprise. Apparently, the story is that these variant posters were to be used in shops that carry Brioni in Japan. Now, I can’t imagine there are too many shops that carry these suits. And, I’m pretty sure that the people running those shops would not be particularly interested in movie memorabilia. For these reasons, I classify this is as rare and do not expect to see any more. How many shops could this possibly have been distributed to? 50? 100? I even think those numbers are too high.

Additionally, this double sided poster is on very heavy, ULTRA-glossy stock, almost with a vinyl feel on the front. Obviously very special.

Japanese movie posters

Never Say Never Again Japanese B1 movie poster, originally uploaded by japanese-movie-posters.

NEW: Never Say Never Again Japanese B1

Is this the best art for Never Say Never Again?

Yep.

Is this one of the rarest if not THE rarest poster for Never Say Never Again?

Check.

Does it feature unbelievably racy art that looks like it should be on, say, the one sheet for Porky’s??

Yes.

Would anyone have the guts to use art like this on a modern movie poster?

Absolutely not. Let me add that Sean Connery is so suave that even his passport can score. Thank you.

Original Japanese movie posters from Posterdemic

Octopussy Advance Japanese movie poster (B2 size), originally uploaded by japanese-movie-posters.

Recent acquisition: Octopussy Advance Japanese movie poster

There are at least a couple other styles for Octopussy out there besides this advance, including the Yamakatsu (for sale at theater / premiere) version, but this one is my favorite. Just a clean, cool, understated painting of Roger Moore and Maud Adams. Nobody did it better, at least when I was growing up. Yes, I thought Roger Moore was COOL!!! I think in this one he might have been.

Original Japanese movie posters from Posterdemic

Recent acquisition: Casino Royale B1 Japanese movie poster

This is one of three styles that I have seen for Casino Royale, with Daniel Craig looking very well put together. The poster measures ~29″ x 40″, slightly larger than a standard US one sheet. Mint condition and double sided.

Original Japanese movie posters from Posterdemic

This is the only one of these I’ve ever seen. Actually, I can’t say I’ve seen too many posters AT ALL from any country from this movie. I’d be happy if someone would write to me and tell me if it’s any good — it IS a Jean-Luc Godard film right? And it features Catherine Deneuve, among others…

Notably Mie Hama, provocatively and prominently featured on this 2 panel poster from 1964. Now, for those that do not know how big Japanese two panels are, they are two B2 size (~20″ x 29″) posters stacked one on top of the other. So in total this poster stands almost five feet tall.

Mie Hama is a famous actress in Japan and was the first Asian woman to appear in Playboy! But most who know her here know her as “Kissy Suzuki“, Sean Connery’s “bride” in You Only Live Twice. She starred in 70 movies before that role though! Here’s a link to a great interview with Mie Hama.

A very rare poster and an interesting crossroads of some important film people.

POSTER IS SOLD.

Japanese movie posters from Posterdemic.com