“Battletruck” / 「バートルトラック」, Original First Release Japanese Movie Poster 1983, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA679

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1983 for the first Japanese release of Battletruck, the post-apocalyptic action film directed by Harley Cokeliss and starring Michael Beck, Annie McEnroe, James Wainwright, and John Ratzenberger.

Released internationally in some territories under the title Warlords of the 21st Century, Battletruck belongs to the great early-1980s cycle of dystopian action cinema that followed in the wake of Mad Max 2, yet it has long maintained a distinct identity of its own. Built around a hulking, heavily armoured war machine and a desolate end-of-the-world setting, the film has developed a durable cult following among collectors of post-apocalyptic, vehicle-based, and B-movie action cinema. The Japanese poster is particularly striking, translating the film’s brute-force premise into a bold, highly graphic piece of theatrical advertising.

Film background
Produced in 1982 and released in Japan in 1983, Battletruck is set in a ravaged near-future world following global collapse caused by the depletion of oil reserves and the breakdown of social order. In this lawless landscape, peaceful survivors are terrorised by a ruthless warlord who commands an enormous armoured combat vehicle—the titular Battletruck.

Opposing him is a lone drifter and survivalist, played by Michael Beck, who becomes the reluctant defender of an embattled community. The result is a rough, high-energy action picture built around dusty wasteland imagery, motorcycle chases, practical stunt work, and the unforgettable spectacle of the monstrous vehicle itself. Over time the film has come to be appreciated as a cult favourite of early-1980s international genre cinema.

Poster design
The Japanese poster is every bit as aggressive and high-impact as the film’s concept demands. The upper section is dominated by a dramatic split-style montage: at left, a close-up of the helmeted and masked protagonist stares directly outward, while to the right a second large figure—rendered in fiery orange tones—appears in a cry of alarm, amplifying the sense of danger and urgency.

Below this, the central composition is anchored by the Battletruck itself, shown roaring forward through a rugged mountain landscape, trailing dust and smoke. A motorcycle rider leaps across the scene, while additional vehicles and explosions reinforce the film’s emphasis on speed, conflict, and mechanical violence. Snow-capped peaks in the distance add an unusual visual dimension, distinguishing the film from more conventional desert-set dystopian action posters.

Running vertically down the right side is a vivid Japanese tagline, heightening the apocalyptic drama and presenting the film as a showdown at the edge of a lawless future. At the bottom, the design is anchored by the enormous, three-dimensional red katakana title 「バートルトラック」, rendered in a heavy block style typical of imported action campaigns in Japan during the period. The result is a powerful, unmistakably early-1980s foreign-action design with strong shelf and wall presence.

Condition
Excellent condition. A highly attractive example, with strong colour, bold title graphics, and excellent overall display presence.

Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 40 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.