“Oliver!” (オリバー！), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1968, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) G253

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for the first Japanese release of Oliver!, distributed by Columbia Pictures in October 1968. Directed by Carol Reed, the film brought Lionel Bart’s stage musical, adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, to the screen. It went on to win Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards, with a separate honorary award for Onna White’s choreography.

Mark Lester plays Oliver, the workhouse orphan who makes his way to London and falls in with the Artful Dodger, played by Jack Wild. The Japanese poster gives Oliver the centre of the sheet: in a dark cap and cropped brown trousers, he steps forward with one arm raised. Shani Wallis as Nancy smiles from the left, while the Dodger appears at the right with his hands clasped. Smaller portraits pick out Ron Moody’s Fagin in a long green coat and Oliver Reed’s Bill Sikes beneath a black top hat.

Against a golden-yellow background, the ornate English title stretches across the top in shades of blue, with 「オリバー！」 overlapping it in red. Around Oliver’s feet, milkmaids swing their pails, red-coated drummers march in formation and a line of boys dances across the lower edge. These small scenes give the poster the sweep of one of the film’s ensemble numbers. The blue “Panavision 70” emblem at upper right advertises the large-screen presentation.

The pink Japanese headline translates approximately as “Little Oliver, who took the world by storm! A spectacular musical for everyone to enjoy.”

Excellent condition overall. The yellow ground and blue-and-red title retain strong colour, and the smaller figures remain clear. Once framed, this poster will display excellently.

Please review the photographs, which show the exact poster offered.

Over 58 years old.
Not a reproduction or reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.