“Superman: The Movie” (スーパーマン), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1979, B1 Size (c. 72.8 × 103 cm) BAK-A

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese release of Superman: The Movie in 1979. Although the film was originally released in 1978, its first Japanese theatrical opening was 30 June 1979, distributed by Warner Bros. The 1978 copyright notice retained in the lower credits relates to the film and does not indicate a 1978 Japanese theatrical release.

Directed by Richard Donner, the film stars Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman, with music by John Williams. Its combination of adventure, romance, humour and large-scale spectacle gave the comic-book material an expansive cinematic treatment.

The film’s technical achievement was recognised with a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects, while Williams’s score also received an Oscar nomination. This Japanese campaign places the central promise of that spectacle—convincing, exhilarating flight—at the heart of its design.

Design

A commanding photographic flying design, framed within a broad black surround and a fine cream-coloured border.

The principal image fills most of the upper sheet: a blue-suited figure flies towards the viewer above a densely built city skyline, one fist extended forward and a brilliant red cape sweeping diagonally across the composition. The contrast between the sharply coloured costume and the softer, blue-grey architecture creates an effective impression of height, speed and movement.

The design is remarkably direct. Rather than assembling a crowded montage of action sequences, it gives the sensation of flight almost the entire pictorial space. Two small inset portraits occupy the lower corners of the photographic panel, providing secondary points of interest without competing with the main image.

Beneath the cityscape appears the Japanese campaign line:

「あなたも空を翔べる！」
“You too can fly!”

The wording invites the audience to share the experience rather than simply observe it—an especially effective accompaniment to an image that appears to advance out of the frame.

The lower third is dominated by the extraordinary Japanese title:

スーパーマン
“Superman”

Rendered as deeply extruded, three-dimensional lettering, the title combines cream-coloured faces with translucent-looking blue sides, fine perspective lines and bright starburst highlights. The effect is architectural and crystalline, giving the lettering a sense of depth and motion against the uninterrupted black ground.

A smaller SUPERMAN THE MOVIE logo repeats the treatment beneath it. The original Japanese theatrical credit block, Warner Bros. release credit, DC Comics copyright line and Dolby Stereo mark complete the lower section.

The result is a particularly accomplished balance of photography, cinematic spectacle and Japanese title design. The flying image provides the emotional immediacy, while the oversized dimensional typography gives the sheet its distinctive graphic character.

The B1 format

Measuring approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, the Japanese B1 format provides roughly twice the surface area of a standard B2 poster.

This composition benefits especially well from the larger dimensions. At more than a metre tall, the aerial photograph has substantial presence, while the expansive black surround allows the red cape, blue costume and sculptural title lettering to stand out clearly.

The smaller inset photographs and detailed billing reward closer inspection, but the principal image remains immediately legible from across a room. It is an impressive display piece for collectors of original Superman advertising, Richard Donner’s cinema and late-1970s Japanese film graphics.

Condition

Very Good+ to Excellent condition overall, with strong colour, clear photographic detail and an attractive overall presentation.

The red cape, blue costume and dimensional Japanese title retain particularly good visual impact, while the black surround provides a strong contrast to the main photograph.

There is visible horizontal fold/crease wear across the photographic area, with some associated ink rubbing and small pale scuffs, most clearly shown in the close-up photograph. Additional light surface impressions, minor edge and corner wear, and gentle paper undulation are also present.

The poster remains unbacked. The unprinted reverse shows the corresponding horizontal crease, light age-related toning and handling marks consistent with the paper’s age and substantial size.

These signs of handling should be considered alongside the poster’s strong principal image and typography. Once professionally framed, it should display very well.

Please review all photographs carefully; they show the exact poster for sale, including the front, reverse and close-up detail.

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster from the film’s first Japanese release campaign in 1979.
It is not a reproduction or modern reprint.

It is approximately 47 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.