This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese cinema release of Luc Besson’s visually groundbreaking science-fiction film The Fifth Element (フィフス・エレメント), starring Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich.
Released in 1997, The Fifth Element is one of the defining large-scale science-fiction films of the late twentieth century. Set in the 23rd century, the story follows former special-forces driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), whose life is abruptly upended when he becomes entangled with Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a mysterious young woman who may hold the key to preventing the destruction of Earth. Combining futuristic action, comic-book invention, high fashion and operatic spectacle, the film has become a true cult and design classic.
Poster design
A superb and highly recognizable Japanese first-release design dominated by dramatic close-up portraits of the film’s two leads. Bruce Willis appears at left as Korben Dallas, turning upward with an alarmed, battle-ready expression, while Milla Jovovich as Leeloo fills the right side, instantly identifiable by her vivid orange hair and striking, wide-eyed intensity.
Across the centre sits the massive metallic-gold Japanese title フィフス・エレメント, rendered in a bold, futuristic three-dimensional style that gives the poster exceptional visual punch. Beneath the title is an inset image of Leeloo standing against the film’s famous futuristic cityscape, reinforcing the picture’s grand science-fiction setting and distinctive visual world.
Running across the top is the Japanese campaign line:
「それがなければ 地球が滅びる。」
— approximately “Without it, the Earth will perish.”
The overall palette of warm pinks, oranges and golds gives the design a softer, more dreamlike science-fiction mood than many Western campaign posters, and is particularly effective at emphasizing the film’s romantic, fantastical and apocalyptic dimensions all at once.
Film significance
The Fifth Element is widely regarded as one of the great science-fiction spectacles of the 1990s. Directed by Luc Besson, the film fused Hollywood scale with a distinctly European visual imagination, drawing heavily on French comic-book aesthetics and featuring celebrated costume design by Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Its imaginative production design, futuristic city imagery, and unforgettable central characters have ensured its lasting popularity. Over time, the film has evolved from a major international release into a genuine cult favourite, with original theatrical posters—particularly in larger formats—becoming increasingly sought after by collectors of science-fiction cinema, 1990s design, and Japanese poster art.
Rare B1 format
This is the considerably larger Japanese B1 format, approximately 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 inches)—substantially larger than the standard Japanese B2 poster.
B1 posters were printed in much smaller quantities than their B2 counterparts and were intended for larger-scale theatrical and lobby display. For a visually iconic title such as The Fifth Element, the B1 format gives the artwork impressive wall presence and is far more difficult to source today than the standard release poster.
It is over 25 years old!
Condition
Very Good+. Excellent overall display presence. The front retains rich colour, strong contrast, and clean presentation, with the large portraits, central title, and inset cityscape all displaying very well.
As visible from the reverse, there is general handling and storage wear consistent with age, including noticeable vertical fold / ripple lines and creasing.
These condition points are typical for a poster of this size and age and do not detract materially from the strong visual impact of the piece once framed.
We have taken the condition into account when pricing. Once framed, this large B1 poster will display exceptionally well.
Please review the front and reverse photographs carefully—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
