“West Side Story” (ウエスト・サイド物語), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1961, Ultra Rare, B1 Size (72.8 × 103 cm) (Horizontal/Yoko Format) (G)

A spectacular first-release Japanese B1 for Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story—and an exceptionally scarce Japan-market illustrated design created for the film’s original Japanese theatrical campaign. Rather than echoing the familiar U.S./international poster styles, this sheet delivers pure Japanese graphic impact: the monumental 3D Japanese title typography (ウエスト・サイド物語) dominates the skyline like architectural sculpture, set against a hand-drawn canyon of New York fire escapes. Below, the composition explodes into motion—Jets vs. Sharks confrontation, dancers surging through the street, and a dramatic tableau of character portraits forming a tiled “pavement” that pulls you straight into the film’s world.

For collectors, this is a crown-jewel West Side Story display piece: the design is uniquely Japanese in concept and layout, with bold promotional copy across the top and the unforgettable “70ミリ / パナビジョン・70 総天然色” roadshow-style callout integrated into the artwork. Maria appears poised on the fire escape at upper right beside the pink WEST SIDE STORY logo—an iconic, romantic counterpoint to the kinetic street energy below. It’s a stunning, horizontally presented poster—and in our view, one of the very best artworks ever produced for this title.

Most importantly, this example is in the ultra-rare Japanese B1 format—a larger, wall-dominant size that is dramatically harder to encounter than standard sheets, and especially coveted when paired with a design as strong as this one. Sourced by Japan Poster Shop from a private collection in Japan, this is an extremely rare poster—particularly in this horizontal B1 format and in this level of presentation. 

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release
West Side Story was released in 1961 through United Artists.
This poster is an ultra-rare survivor from the film’s first Japanese theatrical release, which opened in Japan on December 23, 1961—a prime holiday-season engagement, and exactly the kind of major-release moment these prestige campaigns were made for.

The Film & Its Place in Cinema History
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story is the landmark screen adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical—ultimately inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—relocated to New York’s streets and reimagined as a modern tragedy of love, identity, and conflict.
Photographed in Super Panavision 70 and celebrated for its scale, choreography, and musical power, the film became one of the most honored musicals in cinema history—nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning 10, including Best Picture.

Design Notes
• Japanese title as architecture: the giant, dimensional ウエスト・サイド物語 lettering is treated like a constructed object—bold, sculptural, and instantly eye-catching across a room.
• Street-ballet storytelling: the central confrontation pose and surrounding dancers capture the film’s defining blend of choreography and danger—movement as conflict.
• Portrait “pavement” montage: the tiled faces beneath the action create a uniquely Japanese “narrative collage” effect—part cast showcase, part urban texture.
• Fire-escape romance vs. street tension: Maria on the upper-right fire escape anchors the romance visually, while the street-level clash drives the drama—perfectly balanced composition.
• 70mm prestige callout: the integrated “70ミリ / パナビジョン・70 総天然色” typography signals a premium, large-format presentation and adds a distinctive graphic signature to the sheet.

United Artists, the Japanese First-Run Campaign, and Key Credits
This poster carries strong first-release fingerprints collectors look for: the UNITED ARTISTS mark at the lower right with the Japanese distributor imprint, plus prominent Japanese credit text highlighting the creative pedigree—監督 ロバート・ワイズ (Director: Robert Wise), 振付 ジェローム・ロビンス (Choreography: Jerome Robbins), and 音楽 レナード・バーンスタイン (Music: Leonard Bernstein). The top-line Japanese copy leans into the film’s “ミュージカル・アクション!” identity—marketing it not just as a musical, but as bold, modern, street-level cinema.

Condition Report
Overall condition: Excellent (unrestored) and exceptionally impressive for age. No restoration, no folds, and no tears—a remarkably clean, beautiful example of a first-release Japanese poster, especially in this ultra-rare B1 horizontal format. Color and graphic impact remain strong, and the sheet presents as a superb, wall-dominant display piece. We have provided multiple detailed photos—please review them closely, as they show the exact poster for sale. This poster is over 65 years old.