“Raid on Rommel” (ロンメル軍団を叩け), Original Japanese Movie Poster 1971, Richard Burton / John Colicos, B2 Format (c. 51 × 73 cm) — U24

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for the 1971 Japanese release of Raid on Rommel, released locally as ロンメル軍団を叩け (Ronmeru Gundan o Tatake). Opening in Japan on 12 June 1971, the film received a forceful advertising campaign combining Richard Burton’s star presence with explosive battlefield imagery and monumental red lettering.

Directed by Henry Hathaway, the film stars Richard Burton and John Colicos, supported by Clinton Greyn, Wolfgang Preiss, and Danielle De Metz. Set during the North African campaign, it follows a British intelligence officer attempting to destroy German gun emplacements at Tobruk. His mission becomes considerably more difficult when the prisoners he frees prove to be largely medical personnel rather than the trained commandos he expected.

Printed on one B2 sheet, the artwork centres on a large painted portrait of Richard Burton firing a machine gun, its barrel projecting diagonally towards the upper-right corner. Below him, jeeps, tanks, and infantry converge in a crowded desert battle. Explosions and streaks of gunfire cut across the composition, while billowing black smoke contrasts with the warm orange and sandy yellow palette.

The enormous red title 「ロンメル軍団を叩け」 dominates the upper section. Deep black shadows give the lettering a striking three-dimensional effect, making it appear to rise above the battlefield. Japanese cast and production credits sit to the left of Burton’s portrait, with the Universal / CIC distribution credit beneath the title on the right. The English title, “Raid on Rommel,” appears in red italic lettering at the lower-right corner.

The prominent promotional copy reads:

「熱砂を灼きつくす十字砲火！1942年アフリカ戦線！大ロンメル軍団撃滅作戦を敢行する英軍特攻隊―死の突撃！」
“Crossfire scorches the desert sands! The African front, 1942! British commandos undertake a mission to wipe out Rommel’s forces—a charge into the jaws of death!”

The combination of dramatic portraiture, expansive battle scenes, and sculptural lettering gives this poster considerable visual impact. It is an appealing example for collectors of Richard Burton, Henry Hathaway, war cinema, and Japanese film poster design of the 1970s.

Condition: Excellent. Light creasing and age toning are present, with a handwritten Japanese title on the reverse. The artwork retains strong colour and clear detail.

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

B2 format: approximately 51 × 73 cm.
Stock code: U24.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

About Japanese B2 posters
Japanese B2 posters, typically measuring around 51 × 73 cm, were a standard format for theatrical advertising. Designed for temporary cinema display, surviving examples preserve the distinctive artwork, typography, and promotional approaches of their original Japanese releases.