“Megaforce” / 「メガフォース」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1982, B2 Size (51.5 × 72.8 cm) F292

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the original Japanese release of Megaforce / 「メガフォース」, Hal Needham’s spectacular 1982 science-fiction action film.

Produced during the height of early-1980s military and science-fiction cinema, the film combines futuristic vehicles, large-scale stunt sequences, explosions, motorcycles, aircraft, and high-tech weaponry. This striking Japanese poster uses an expansive illustrated desert battle scene to present the film as a monumental action spectacle.

Film background

Megaforce centres on an elite international military organisation secretly assembled to defend freedom and democracy throughout the world.

The unit is led by Commander Ace Hunter, played by Barry Bostwick, a charismatic and unconventional soldier commanding an extraordinary fleet of experimental combat vehicles.

When the peaceful fictional nation of Sardun is invaded by forces from neighbouring Gamibia, Megaforce is ordered to intervene. Hunter and his team deploy into the desert using armoured command vehicles, weaponised motorcycles, dune buggies, aircraft, missiles, and advanced communications technology.

Their mission becomes increasingly personal when Hunter discovers that the invading army is commanded by Duke Guerera, played by Henry Silva, a former friend and military rival.

Directed by Hal Needham, the film was produced by Albert S. Ruddy and Raymond Chow, with cinematography by Michael C. Butler.

The principal cast includes Barry Bostwick, Persis Khambatta, Michael Beck, Edward Mulhare, George Furth, Evan C. Kim, and Henry Silva.

Needham was one of Hollywood’s most celebrated stunt performers and coordinators before becoming the director of such films as Smokey and the Bandit and The Cannonball Run. His experience with vehicular action and practical stunt work is central to the extraordinary mechanical spectacle of Megaforce.

The film was mounted as a major international production involving Hollywood and Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest. Although its original commercial reception was mixed, it subsequently developed a devoted cult following for its extravagant vehicles, flying motorcycles, colourful costumes, practical effects, and unmistakable early-1980s aesthetic.

Poster design

The poster is dominated by a vast illustrated desert battlefield filled with futuristic vehicles, aircraft, missiles, motorcycles, explosions, and clouds of dust.

At the centre, the enormous multi-wheeled Megaforce command vehicle charges down a steep sand dune. Its sharply angular armour, mounted weapons, communications equipment, and red lightning insignia give it the appearance of a mobile futuristic fortress.

The vehicle is surrounded by smaller weaponised dune buggies and motorcycles racing across the desert. The steep angle of the landscape and the clouds of dust rising behind the machines create an exceptional sense of speed and forward momentum.

Numerous missiles streak diagonally across the dark blue sky, leaving long white smoke trails that lead the viewer’s eye towards the battlefield.

Military aircraft fly above the advancing vehicles, while a line of descending parachutes appears in the distance. The composition presents the operation as an immense combined assault taking place across both land and air.

The orange headline across the upper section reads:

「世界はいま、この興奮と衝撃に制圧された！」

“The world has now been overwhelmed by this excitement and impact!”

The smaller white text beneath it announces:

「全世界109ヶ国から結集した史上最強の軍団“メガフォース”…巨大なメカ群を駆使して怒涛の進撃開始！」

“The strongest military force in history, assembled from 109 countries around the world—Megaforce—begins its overwhelming advance using a vast fleet of machines!”

Near the lower centre is the distinctive Megaforce winged-fist and lightning-bolt emblem.

This is surrounded by four trapezoidal film images showing an exploding tank, a speeding military vehicle, Commander Ace Hunter in the desert, and missiles being launched from an aircraft.

The principal cast and production credits appear immediately below the images, including:

「バリー・ボストウィック
パーシス・カンバータ
マイケル・ベック
ヘンリー・シルバ」

“Barry Bostwick
Persis Khambatta
Michael Beck
Henry Silva.”

The lower third is dominated by the enormous Japanese title:

「メガフォース」

The title is rendered in brilliant red lettering with dark blue shadowing and a sharp yellow energy streak cutting across its final characters.

At the bottom, the poster identifies the film as:

「ハル・ニーダム監督作品」

“A film directed by Hal Needham.”

It also promotes the film’s sound presentation:

「4ch立体音響／ドルビー・ステレオ方式」

“Four-channel stereophonic sound / Dolby Stereo presentation.”

The upper centre contains the original English MEGAFORCE logo and condensed English production credits, while the lower-right area carries the marks of Japanese distributor Tōhō-Towa / 東宝東和.

Design note

The poster’s artist is uncredited, as was common with Japanese theatrical advertising for imported films during this period.

The design uses a highly detailed illustrated action composition supported by photographic film stills and specially arranged Japanese typography.

Rather than focusing primarily on the actors, the poster gives monumental prominence to the film’s distinctive vehicles and military hardware. The enormous command vehicle, sweeping missile trails, airborne assault, desert convoy, and steeply angled terrain combine to create a sense of almost continuous movement.

Its dark blue sky, fiery orange desert, vivid red title, and extensive mechanical detail make it a particularly striking example of Japanese science-fiction and action poster design from the early 1980s.

Release note

Megaforce was produced and released theatrically in 1982.

It was released in Japan under the direct katakana title:

「メガフォース」

This poster was printed for the film’s original 1982 Japanese theatrical release.

It is a standard Japanese B2-size theatrical poster, measuring approximately:

51.5 × 72.8 cm / 20.3 × 28.7 inches

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive example with rich colour, sharp illustrated detail, clear typography, and exceptional overall display impact.

There are only light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster from 1982, including minor edge and corner wear, a few small surface marks, and faint age-related toning and image transfer visible from the reverse.

These minor signs do not significantly detract from the poster, and the front presents extremely well.

Reference: F292.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1982 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 40 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.