“Dead and Buried” / 「ゾンゲリア」 (1981) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B2 THEATRICAL POSTER – CULT HORROR CLASSIC – B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) A267
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Dead and Buried (released in Japan under the sensational title ゾンゲリア / Zongeria), the 1981 American horror film directed by Gary A. Sherman and produced by Ronald Shusett. Written by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett—the celebrated team associated with Alien—the film has become a highly regarded cult horror title, admired for its eerie atmosphere, small-town menace, and striking practical effects.
Film background
Set in the fog-shrouded coastal town of Potters Bluff, Dead and Buried begins with a gruesome act of mob violence before gradually unfolding into a strange and deeply unsettling mystery. As the town’s sheriff investigates a series of bizarre deaths and disappearances, the film develops into a memorable blend of zombie horror, conspiracy, and macabre small-town paranoia.
Although not a major commercial success on initial release, the film has since earned a strong reputation among horror enthusiasts for its creeping dread, unusual narrative structure, and special-effects work by Stan Winston. Today it is widely appreciated as one of the more distinctive early-1980s horror films, particularly by collectors of cult, zombie, and body-horror cinema.
Poster design
This Japanese B2 features a wildly inventive and visually aggressive design, quite different from more conventional American campaign material. The composition has the sensational impact so characteristic of Japanese horror marketing from the period.
At the centre is a giant circular black-and-white image of a bandaged face, into whose eye a large hypodermic syringe is being driven—one of the poster’s most unforgettable and confrontational graphic elements. Bursting across this is a bloodied outstretched arm and hand, adding movement and shock to the composition.
Around the edges, the designer has assembled a collage of ominous supporting imagery:
- a terrified female close-up on the left,
- a ghastly burnt corpse on the right,
- the eerie citizens of Potters Bluff gathered in the roadway at the top,
- and a blazing fire near the town’s welcome sign, reinforcing the film’s atmosphere of dread and suspicion.
The Japanese marketing leans fully into the film’s horror credentials. The title 「ゾンゲリア」 is rendered across the bottom in massive blood-red brush-style katakana, while the original English title “DEAD & BURIED” appears above in smaller white text. A bright blue diagonal slogan cuts across the image, and yellow promotional text on the lower right heightens the sense of lurid menace. Altogether, it is a superb example of Japanese horror poster design from the early 1980s—bold, unsettling, and visually unforgettable.
Collector significance
Original Japanese posters for cult horror titles of this period are increasingly difficult to find, particularly in appealing collector condition. Dead and Buried has developed a loyal following over the decades, and this Japanese B2 is especially desirable for its striking country-of-release artwork, which is considerably more dramatic and distinctive than many international designs.
It will particularly appeal to collectors of:
- 1980s horror cinema
- zombie and supernatural horror
- Dan O’Bannon / Ronald Shusett-related material
- Japanese theatrical posters with alternative artwork
The Japanese title ゾンゲリア itself has become iconic among genre collectors and adds further appeal to the piece.
Condition
Very good condition. Please study the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.
The poster displays very well overall, with strong colour and excellent visual impact from the front. There are, however, signs of age and handling consistent with use and storage, including general wear, a small area of surface/puncture-type damage visible on the front, and some staining/marking to the reverse, all of which have been taken into account in the pricing. Despite this, the poster remains a very attractive example and presents strongly, particularly for display.
This poster is an original Japanese theatrical B2 from the film’s period release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is over 40 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
