This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster issued for the 1975 re-release of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai—one of the defining works of post-war Japanese cinema, and a film whose influence runs through everything from modern action choreography to the very grammar of the “team movie”.
Film background
Released in 1954, Seven Samurai (七人の侍) follows a farming village that hires seven masterless samurai to defend them against bandits—an elemental story of strategy, sacrifice, and dignity under pressure. Kurosawa’s approach is famously physical and modern: rain-soaked combat, precise cutting, and characterisation that makes every face feel lived-in.
This re-release poster also foregrounds the film’s legendary running time, advertising the complete original version (3 hours 30 minutes)—a key selling point for theatrical revival screenings.
Poster design
A superb example of Japanese re-release design that leans into impact rather than illustration. The composition is dominated by intense close-ups (the iconic, battle-worn expressions that define the film’s emotional temperature), set against a chaotic battlefield panorama. The huge, blood-red brush-style title 「七人の侍」 lands like a stamp across the lower half—bold, immediate, and unmistakably Toho-era in presence.
It’s a poster that reads instantly from across a room: faces, dust, steel, and that decisive red typography.
Rarity and condition
Japanese B2 re-release posters were working cinema materials—made to be displayed, changed, and discarded—so strong survivors are always desirable, especially for a cornerstone title of this calibre.
Condition
Very Good. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 50 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
