“Trading Places” / 「大逆転」, Original First Release Japanese Movie Poster 1983, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA951
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1983 for the first Japanese release of Trading Places / 「大逆転」, the classic American comedy directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, and Don Ameche.
One of the defining studio comedies of the 1980s, Trading Places remains celebrated for its sharp social satire, brilliant comic performances, and perfectly constructed reversal-of-fortune premise.
Film background
Released in 1983, Trading Places follows an arrogant commodities broker and a streetwise hustler whose lives are deliberately swapped as part of a cruel wager between two wealthy brothers. As the two men discover the manipulation behind their changed circumstances, the film builds into a clever revenge comedy targeting class, wealth, and institutional privilege.
Directed by John Landis, with a screenplay by Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod, the film was a major critical and commercial success. It also helped cement Eddie Murphy as one of the defining comic stars of the decade, while Jamie Lee Curtis received major acclaim for her supporting performance.
Poster design
The Japanese poster is bright, comic, and highly engaging. The main illustration centres on a bathroom-mirror gag: the two male leads confront their own altered identities and social positions, visually capturing the film’s entire premise of role reversal.
Above the main illustration are three oval photographic stills showing key moments from the film, while the top section includes a small image of the Duke brothers opening a cash-filled briefcase — a witty reference to the wager that drives the story.
The large red headline across the top reads:
「全世界を感動の笑いにつつんでビッグ・ヒット！」
“A big hit, wrapping the whole world in laughter and emotion!”
The green copy beneath it promotes the reversal-of-fortune premise:
「リッチがプアーに、プアーがリッチに… 立場逆転 大逆転！」
“The rich become poor, the poor become rich… a reversal of positions, a great reversal!”
The lower section is dominated by the huge red kanji title 「大逆転」, meaning “The Great Reversal.” The original English title TRADING PLACES appears discreetly at lower left, while the Japanese release credits and CIC distribution details are printed at lower right.
The overall design is a superb example of 1980s Japanese comedy-poster marketing: bold, busy, colourful, and instantly readable.
Release note
This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release campaign.
It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.
Condition
Excellent condition. A highly attractive example, with strong colour, clean artwork, bold title typography, and excellent overall display impact.
Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.
This is an original 1983 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is now over 40 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
