“Papillon” (パピヨン), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1973, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) G162A

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Franklin J. Schaffner’s epic prison-escape classic Papillon (パピヨン), starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The film was produced in 1973, and Japanese references record its first Japanese theatrical release as 16 March 1974, distributed by Towa (東和)—the same distributor credited across Japanese film databases.

Based on Henri Charrière’s memoir, Papillon follows “Papillon” (McQueen)—wrongly convicted and sent to the brutal French Guiana penal colony—whose relentless will to escape becomes inseparable from an unlikely bond with the frail but brilliant counterfeiter Dega (Hoffman). It’s one of the definitive 1970s survival dramas: harsh, human, and genuinely expansive in scope.

Design
A powerful Japanese campaign design that turns the film’s themes into pure graphic language: the broken chain slashes diagonally through the composition, while the three image panels suggest the story’s escalating ordeal—ocean, imprisonment, and violence—culminating in the stark red title パピヨン across the lower half. Notably, the sheet carries the “シネラマ” branding at top (with large-format presentation callouts), a terrific period detail that places it firmly in the era’s premium roadshow-style marketing.

Condition
Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.

This poster is an original Japanese theatrical B2 from the initial release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 53 years old!

Certificate of Authenticity included.