“From Russia with Love” (007／危機一発), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1964, Trimmed from B2 Size (51 × 59 cm) Q12

This is an original Japanese movie poster printed in 1964 for the first Japanese release of From Russia with Love (007／危機一発). Originally issued in B2 format, this is a cinema-used example with substantial period display history: the top and bottom were affixed when the poster was displayed over six decades ago and were later cut down, leaving the sheet at approximately 51 × 59 cm rather than full B2 height. It is therefore a true theatrically displayed advertising poster that was actually used, and while the condition is undeniably heavy, the surviving central image remains bold, iconic, and highly displayable, with very strong colour.

Film background
Released in 1963 and first issued in Japan in 1964, From Russia with Love is the second James Bond film produced by Eon Productions and Sean Connery’s second appearance as 007. Directed by Terence Young and based on Ian Fleming’s 1957 novel, the film follows Bond as he is sent to Turkey to assist in the defection of Soviet clerk Tatiana Romanova, while SPECTRE prepares a trap to avenge the death of Dr. No. Following the success of Dr. No, the sequel expanded the scale, budget, and international reach of the series and became a major critical and commercial success, helping establish Bond as one of the defining screen franchises of the 1960s.

Poster design
This is one of the most iconic Japanese designs created for the title—an arresting composition dominated by the enormous black “007” device, with a huge portrait of Sean Connery filling the central numerals. Around it are vivid action vignettes—gunplay, seduction, pursuit, helicopter, explosion, and speedboat—while the torn white lower field and sweeping red Japanese title 「危機一発」 deliver exactly the kind of bold mid-century impact collectors want from early Bond paper. The poster also retains its 総天然色 (“full colour”) billing, and despite its hard life as an actual cinema display piece, the surviving artwork still has exceptional wall presence.

Condition
Poor / heavily cinema-used, but authentic, visually striking, and with a unique story that only a true theatrical survivor can tell. The poster was genuinely displayed in a cinema, and the top and bottom were affixed long ago and subsequently cut away, reducing the original B2 height to approximately 59 cm. The top edge shows heavy wear and damage, including old adhesive residue, paper loss, tears, and surface disturbance from display. The bottom has also been cut, shortening the lower credits area and leaving the poster in its current 51 × 59 cm format. There is general fold wear, creasing, handling, edge wear, and age-toning throughout.
Verso shows substantial evidence of real theatrical use, including heavy old adhesive/tape residue, paper disturbance, toning, and strong offset/ghosting from the printed front—exactly the kind of wear expected from a poster that was actually mounted and used for advertising more than six decades ago. Importantly, the main image remains strong, the colours are still very vivid, and once matted or framed, it should display very well while preserving the authenticity and character of a genuinely used cinema poster.

It is over 61 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.