"Chariots of Fire (炎のランナー)", Original Japanese Movie Poster 1981, First Release, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) N173

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1981 for the first theatrical release of Chariots of Fire (炎のランナー), directed by Hugh Hudson and distributed by 20th Century Fox. First release Japanese posters for Academy Award–winning films are highly collectible, especially for titles as culturally significant as this.

Film background
Chariots of Fire dramatizes the true story of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, a Jewish athlete who runs to overcome prejudice. The film became a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score for Vangelis’s now-iconic electronic theme. Its combination of historical drama, human determination, and unforgettable soundtrack made it one of the defining films of the 1980s.

Poster design
The Japanese first release poster features a collage of key moments: the athletes racing on the track, triumphant celebrations, and dramatic close-ups, anchored by the legendary opening sequence of runners training on the beach. The bold Japanese title “炎のランナー” (literally “Runner of Flames”) sits prominently above the shoreline imagery, with the Olympic theme underscored by medals and laurel motifs. The design captures the film’s blend of athletic intensity, human spirit, and cinematic prestige.

This poster is in excellent condition (please refer to imagery, both front and back, of the exact poster for sale).

It is over 40 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.