“Escape from New York” (ニューヨーク1997), Original Japanese First Release “Long” Poster 1981, Very Rare, Size (90 × 30 cm) O630

This is an original Japanese first-release poster issued in Japan for John Carpenter’s cult dystopian action classic Escape from New York (1981)—starring Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken, alongside Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes and Adrienne Barbeau. The film opened theatrically in Japan on 23 May 1981 (Herald release). 

Offered here in a highly unusual “long” format (90 × 30 cm)—comparable in feel to an insert/strip poster—this is a genuinely scarce Japanese variant, produced for cinema display and far less commonly encountered than standard B2 sheets. A further draw: the reverse is fully printed with Japanese text and imagery (programme-style synopsis/cast/features), making it a particularly fascinating survivor of how the film was marketed in Japanese theatres.

Poster design
A striking, minimalist top field gives way to the iconic image of the Statue of Liberty—cracked, bound in barbed wire—perfectly encapsulating the film’s “quarantined Manhattan” nightmare. The lower montage frames key action beats and characters, while the bold Japanese title ニューヨーク1997 (“New York 1997”) anchors the base. In this narrow vertical format, the Statue of Liberty reads like a towering monolith—an exceptionally dramatic display piece.

Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 44 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.