“Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion” / 「殺人捜査」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1971, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) — T206

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for the 1971 first Japanese release of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, Elio Petri’s provocative Italian crime drama starring Gian Maria Volonté and Florinda Bolkan.

Originally released in Italy in 1970, the film opened in Japan on 18 September 1971 under the title 「殺人捜査」, meaning “Murder Investigation.”

The Japanese design presents Volonté standing defiantly among enlarged forensic handprints, using an intense red background to frame the film’s central question: what happens when the person responsible for enforcing the law believes himself beyond its reach?

Film background

The story follows a powerful police official, played by Gian Maria Volonté, who murders his lover and deliberately leaves evidence pointing towards himself.

As his colleagues investigate, he alternately encourages and obstructs their progress, testing whether his institutional authority will protect him even when the clues appear unmistakable.

Directed by Elio Petri, with a screenplay by Petri and Ugo Pirro, the film combines a murder investigation with political satire and psychological drama. Its concern extends beyond an individual criminal to the structures that allow power to defend itself.

Florinda Bolkan plays the murdered woman, whose relationship with the official is explored through flashbacks. Ennio Morricone’s distinctive score reinforces the film’s mixture of menace, absurdity and theatrical exaggeration.

The Japanese campaign prominently celebrated the film’s international recognition, placing its awards alongside imagery of police evidence and official authority.

Poster design

The composition is dominated by a full-length image of Gian Maria Volonté, standing with his arms folded in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie.

His rigid posture and unsmiling expression convey assurance and authority. Positioned centrally, he confronts the viewer while oversized black handprints on pale hanging sheets surround him.

These forensic images give the design its defining visual tension: the man at the centre appears confident despite being enclosed by the language of criminal identification.

Behind him, a brick wall and tiled floor are rendered in saturated red. Pale yellow, cream and blue-green panels interrupt the background, while the dark suit creates a strong vertical silhouette.

Across the red header, the Japanese title:

「殺人捜査」

appears in enormous black characters.

At upper right, the English title is printed in yellow:

“INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN above suspicion”

Beneath it, the white Japanese line reads:

「もっとも疑わしくないある市民についての捜査」

“An investigation into a citizen considered least likely to be suspected.”

This longer wording preserves the irony of the original title alongside the more direct Japanese theatrical title.

The yellow promotional copy at lower left reads:

「犯人の意外性と 意表をつく動機の設定！そして 警察の内部を 鋭いメスで切り裂く！」

“An unexpected culprit and a startling motive! Then, a sharp scalpel cuts into the inner workings of the police!”

At lower right, an Oscar statuette surrounded by laurels accompanies the prominent announcement:

「本年度アカデミー賞最優秀外国映画賞」

“This year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.”

Further yellow text lists recognition from Cannes and Italian film awards. Cast and creative credits occupy the lower-left area, while Columbia Pictures is identified in the upper billing.

The combination of forensic imagery, confrontational portraiture and emphatic typography makes this a particularly effective example of Japanese advertising for European political cinema.

Release and format note

An original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1971 first-release campaign, following its original Italian release in 1970.

Japanese B2 format: approximately 51 × 73 cm.

An appealing piece for collectors of Elio Petri, Gian Maria Volonté, Ennio Morricone, Italian cinema and Japanese graphic design.

Condition

Very Good+ / Excellent condition.

Once framed, this poster will display excellently.

Reference: T206.

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

It is now over 55 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.