“Manhattan” (マンハッタン), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1979, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) J73A

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster produced for the Japanese release of Manhattan (マンハッタン), Woody Allen’s celebrated 1979 romantic comedy-drama. Directed by Woody Allen, the film stars Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy, and Meryl Streep.

Film background
Released in 1979, Manhattan is one of Woody Allen’s most visually iconic films and one of the defining New York films of the late twentieth century. Shot in black and white by cinematographer Gordon Willis, the film presents New York City as both setting and emotional landscape, combining romantic entanglement, literary wit, and melancholy urban atmosphere. Its use of George Gershwin’s music, especially “Rhapsody in Blue,” became inseparable from the film’s image of the city.

Poster design
A beautifully restrained Japanese theatrical design, centred on a black-and-white riverside scene beneath a bridge, with two figures seated on a bench in silhouette. The image captures the quiet, romantic, and reflective tone of the film, offering a more atmospheric approach than conventional star-led poster designs.

The title treatment is especially strong: MANHATTAN appears in bold black architectural lettering, with the skyline incorporated directly into the typography. Beneath it, the Japanese title マンハッタン is printed in red and blue, adding a subtle colour accent to the otherwise monochrome design. The small red Japanese copy within the image evokes the sound of “Rhapsody in Blue” drifting through the mist, directly linking the poster to the film’s famous Gershwin score.

Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 47 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.