“Ben-Hur” (ベン・ハー), Original Re-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1968, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) T97

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the 1968 re-release of Ben-Hur, directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. Its striking golden-yellow design celebrates the scale and enduring appeal of MGM’s 1959 historical epic.

Set during the Roman occupation of Judaea, the film follows Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy Jewish prince betrayed by his former friend Messala. Condemned to slavery, he survives a succession of ordeals before returning to confront the man responsible for his suffering. The story combines personal revenge with a wider journey towards forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

The supporting cast includes Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Hugh Griffith and Martha Scott, with music by Miklós Rózsa. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Heston—an achievement prominently celebrated throughout this Japanese campaign.

The composition is built around the monumental English title BEN-HUR, imagined as an immense architectural structure. Cracked stone lettering rises above crowds of tiny figures, while a seated warrior statue and richly detailed classical buildings reinforce the impression of overwhelming scale.

At the foot of this imagined monument, a chariot drawn by four pale horses charges across the foreground. Rendered in vivid red and cream, the racing scene supplies a burst of movement against the grey stone lettering and warm yellow background.

The Japanese title, ベン・ハー, occupies much of the lower half in enormous, angular dark red characters. Blue cast credits beneath it provide a cooler contrast, while an Oscar statuette surrounded by a laurel wreath appears at the lower left. The MGM lion logo anchors the opposite corner.

Across the top, the red promotional line reads:

「堂々４時間！生涯忘れ得ぬ最高の感動！」
“Four magnificent hours! An unforgettable experience to treasure for a lifetime!”

A second line highlights the film’s eleven Academy Awards, presenting the revival as another opportunity to experience a celebrated theatrical event. The spacious yellow background and sculptural imagery give this design a particularly commanding presence, making it an attractive example of Japanese publicity for classic Hollywood spectacle.

Condition: Very Good+.

There is a tiny tear at the left edge, clearly shown in the additional close-up photograph. Light age toning and surface marks are also present. The colours remain strong, and once framed, this poster will display excellently.

Please review all photographs, including the front, reverse and close-up detail, as they show the exact poster for sale.

Japanese B2 format: approximately 51 × 73 cm.
Stock code: T97.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

About Japanese B2 posters
Japanese B2 posters typically measure approximately 51 × 73 cm and were produced for theatrical display. Their distinctive combinations of photography, illustration, typography and locally written promotional copy offer a fascinating record of how films were presented to Japanese audiences.