“Bicycle Thieves” (自転車泥棒), Original Re-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1979, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) Q39

This is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1979 for a revival release of Bicycle Thieves (自転車泥棒), Vittorio De Sica’s landmark 1948 Italian neorealist masterpiece, originally released in Italy as Ladri di biciclette. Long regarded as one of the most important films ever made, Bicycle Thieves remains a cornerstone of post-war world cinema, and Japanese re-release posters for it are highly sought after by collectors of classic international film.

Film background
Directed by Vittorio De Sica and written with Cesare Zavattini, Bicycle Thieves stars Lamberto Maggiorani, Lianella Carell, and Enzo Staiola. Set in post-war Rome, the film follows a working-class father and his young son as they search the city for a stolen bicycle on which the family’s livelihood depends. With its profoundly human story, non-professional cast, and documentary-like realism, it became one of the defining achievements of Italian neorealism and one of the most celebrated films in cinema history.

Poster design
This is a striking and deeply atmospheric Japanese re-release design. The composition is dominated by a haunting black-and-white image of the father and son walking away beneath a vast, dramatic sky, their small figures surrounded by empty urban space and long shadows. The oversized red Japanese title crashes across the lower half with tremendous force, while the small bicycle illustration at bottom left subtly reinforces the film’s central motif. The contrast between the quiet photographic image and the bold red typography gives the poster exceptional emotional power. It is a superb Japanese design for a film whose impact lies in simplicity, hardship, and human dignity.

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

It is over 45 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.