“King Kong” (キングコング), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1976, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) — T236

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1976 for the first Japanese theatrical release of King Kong, directed by John Guillermin and produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Featuring spectacular artwork by John Berkey, this design captures the enormous scale and ambition of one of the decade’s biggest adventure films.

Film background
Starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange and Charles Grodin, the film updates the classic 1933 story for the 1970s. An expedition searching for oil discovers an isolated island inhabited by a gigantic ape, whose capture and transportation to New York lead to catastrophe. Lange makes her film debut as Dwan, the woman at the centre of Kong’s tragic fascination.

The remake relocates the famous skyscraper confrontation to the World Trade Center, giving its publicity campaign an instantly recognisable image of contemporary New York.

Poster design
Berkey’s dramatic illustration dominates almost the entire sheet. Kong straddles the Twin Towers, roaring as he crushes a military aircraft in one hand while holding Dwan in the other. More jets circle overhead, with Manhattan stretching into the distance beneath a pale blue sky.

The extraordinary perspective makes the viewer feel suspended above the city, while the intricate buildings and damaged aircraft emphasise Kong’s immense size. It is a spectacular piece of imaginative film advertising, combining monster-movie action with the expansive detail associated with Berkey’s illustration.

Across the bottom, enormous red “King Kong” lettering stands against a solid black band, accompanied by the Japanese title in yellow-orange, compact production credits and the Towa distributor emblem. An impressive display piece for collectors of classic monster cinema and illustrated movie posters.

Condition
Excellent. There are light handling creases and gentle paper undulations, most apparent on the reverse. The artwork retains strong colour and excellent visual impact. Please review the photographs—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 49 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.