“You Only Live Twice” (007は二度死ぬ), Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1967, B3 Size (37 x 53cm) J7
This is an original Japanese B3 theatrical poster printed in 1967 for the first Japanese release of You Only Live Twice (007は二度死ぬ), the fifth official James Bond film. Directed by Lewis Gilbert, with a screenplay by Roald Dahl based on Ian Fleming’s novel, the film stars Sean Connery as James Bond, with Akiko Wakabayashi, Mie Hama, Tetsurō Tamba, Donald Pleasence, Karin Dor, Bernard Lee, and Lois Maxwell.
Film background
Released in 1967, You Only Live Twice is one of the most important Bond films for Japanese collectors, as the story is set largely in Japan and features extensive Japanese locations, cast members, and cultural references. The film follows Bond as he investigates the disappearance of American and Soviet spacecraft, leading him to Japan and ultimately to SPECTRE’s hidden volcanic base.
The film is remembered for its extraordinary Ken Adam production design, the volcano-lair set, the introduction of Donald Pleasence as Blofeld, the Little Nellie autogyro sequence, and its strong association with 1960s Japan within the Bond universe.
Poster design
A superb and highly energetic Japanese B3 design, dominated by a large image of Sean Connery as James Bond, aiming a silenced pistol above the massive red 007 title treatment. Around him, the poster layers key imagery from the film: the volcano base, rocket launch, aerial combat, Japanese action sequences, romantic vignettes, and scenes involving the Japanese setting and supporting cast.
The Japanese title 二度死ぬ is printed boldly across the lower section, while the English line “Sean Connery is James Bond in Ian Fleming’s You Only Live Twice” runs beneath the large 007 logo. The top Japanese copy promotes the film as the fifth entry in the Bond series, emphasising its expanded scale, heightened action, and increased impact.
Reverse side
This is a particularly interesting two-sided B3 format. The reverse contains a detailed black-and-white Japanese information layout, including story notes, cast and staff details, character portraits, production commentary, and a special section introducing the film’s gadgets and weapons. These include diagrams and images connected to Bond’s equipment, the volcanic base, and Little Nellie.
This makes the poster especially appealing as both a display piece and a period Japanese Bond publicity object, closer in spirit to a compact press-sheet than a simple one-sided theatrical poster.
Rarity and significance
Original Japanese first-release material for You Only Live Twice is especially desirable because of the film’s direct connection to Japan. B3 formats are less commonly encountered than standard B2 posters, and two-sided examples with extensive printed production information are particularly attractive to serious Bond collectors.
For collectors of James Bond, Sean Connery, Japanese cinema ephemera, and 1960s international film publicity, this is a highly interesting and displayable original release piece.
Condition
Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 59 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
