“Wattstax” / 「ワッツタックス」, Original Japanese Re-Release Movie Poster 1988, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA871

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the late-1980s Japanese re-release of Wattstax / 「ワッツタックス」, the landmark 1973 concert documentary directed by Mel Stuart.

Originally filmed around the historic 1972 Wattstax benefit concert organised by Stax Records at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the film stands as one of the most important screen documents of Black American music, culture, and community life in the early 1970s. This Japanese poster reflects a later theatrical revival campaign, rather than the original 1973 first-run release.

Film background
Wattstax documents the major Stax Records concert staged seven years after the Watts uprising, bringing together an extraordinary line-up of soul, gospel, funk, and R&B performers before a vast audience in Los Angeles.

The film features artists including Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays, Albert King, The Dramatics, The Soul Children, Kim Weston, Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton, and others, with powerful spoken and comic interludes from Richard Pryor.

More than a concert film, Wattstax is also a portrait of place, politics, style, and identity. It captures both the musical force of the Stax roster and the wider cultural atmosphere of Black Los Angeles in the early 1970s.

Poster design
The poster is built around a dramatic black field, dominated by a large, glowing image of Isaac Hayes wearing his trademark sunglasses. His face occupies the central composition, giving the sheet immediate presence and authority.

Down the left side, a vertical strip of colour stills shows performers, audience members, and concert moments from the film. The right side lists the major artists featured, printed in red Japanese text, reinforcing the scale of the Stax line-up.

The bold red vertical copy reads:

「ブラック・パワー全開！」
“Black Power at full force!”

At the bottom, the large Japanese title 「ワッツタックス」 appears in powerful red and silver typography, with the English WATTSTAX logo placed above it. The lower tagline describes the film as the legendary record of “a Black concert by Black artists, for a Black audience”, reflecting the political and cultural force of the original event.

The bottom credits include late-1980s Japanese release details, including Eurospace / Cinema Rise Shibuya distribution context and JT sponsorship branding, placing this example firmly within the Japanese theatrical revival period.

Release note
This poster was printed for the film’s Japanese theatrical re-release campaign, circa 1988.

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition
Excellent condition. A strong and highly attractive example, with deep black tones, vivid red typography, clean photographic imagery, and excellent overall display impact.

Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 35 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.