“A Quiet Place in the Country” / 「怪奇な恋の物語」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1971, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) T119

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster from the 1971 Japanese release campaign for A Quiet Place in the Country / 「怪奇な恋の物語」, Elio Petri’s unsettling psychological thriller starring Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero.

Originally produced in 1968 under the Italian title Un tranquillo posto di campagna, the film opened in Japan on 20 November 1971, distributed by United Artists.

Combining supernatural mystery, erotic obsession and artistic anxiety, the film receives a particularly striking Japanese presentation through an enormous portrait of Redgrave and a swirling red-and-white geometric background.

Film background

The story follows Leonardo Ferri, played by Franco Nero, a successful painter troubled by disturbing dreams, creative frustration and the pressures surrounding his work.

Seeking peace away from Milan, Leonardo retreats to an old country villa. His lover and agent, Flavia, played by Vanessa Redgrave, hopes the change of surroundings will help him recover his concentration and resume painting.

The apparently tranquil setting soon becomes another source of unease. Strange disturbances, damaged canvases and unsettling visions draw Leonardo towards the villa’s past, particularly the story of Wanda, a young woman who died during the Second World War.

As his fascination deepens, the boundaries between desire, memory, hallucination and supernatural experience become increasingly uncertain. His relationship with Flavia grows more troubled, while the retreat intended to restore his creativity becomes the centre of an escalating obsession.

The film was directed by Elio Petri, with a screenplay by Petri and Luciano Vincenzoni, from a story by Petri and Tonino Guerra.

The principal cast includes:

Vanessa Redgrave
Franco Nero
Georges Géret
Gabriella Grimaldi
Rita Calderoni
Renato Menegotto

The production was overseen by Alberto Grimaldi, with cinematography by Luigi Kuveiller and music by Ennio Morricone.

The paintings featured in the film were created by American artist Jim Dine, whose contribution is prominently advertised in the Japanese poster’s credits.

Poster design

This remarkable Japanese design translates the film’s atmosphere of psychological instability into a bold, visually disorienting composition.

An enormous profile of Vanessa Redgrave fills the left side. Her dark, swept-up hair, sharply defined eye and thoughtful expression create an intimate focal point against the surrounding geometric pattern.

Behind her, a red-and-white checkerboard twists into a spiral, drawing the viewer towards a small circular photograph of an embracing couple. The changing scale of the checks produces an effect associated with Op Art, suggesting movement and disturbed perception.

A smaller portrait of Franco Nero, bearded and looking outward with a guarded expression, occupies the lower centre. His direct gaze contrasts with Redgrave’s sideways profile.

At the upper right, a blurred female figure appears through a pale translucent background, introducing a ghostly element. Below, a barefoot woman in a light robe with a dark belt holds yellow flowers, adding another carefully isolated photographic detail.

A small cream-coloured convertible at the lower left casts a long dark shadow across the patterned ground, reinforcing the composition’s unusual perspective.

The English title:

“a quiet place in the country”

appears in blue lettering beside the spiral.

The Japanese title:

「怪奇な恋の物語」

dominates the bottom in expressive brush lettering. Most characters are blue, while 「恋」, meaning romantic love, is picked out in red.

The yellow promotional text includes:

「美しき《愛》の世界へ訪れた《死》の招待状！」

Translated:

“An invitation from Death has arrived in the beautiful world of Love!”

Additional copy promotes the film’s mysterious imagery and unexpected conclusion. The Technicolor credit, cast billing and United Artists distribution branding complete the design.

The combination of portrait photography, optical distortion and contrasting typography makes this a distinctive poster for collectors of Elio Petri, Ennio Morricone and European psychological cinema.

Condition

Very Good+ to Excellent condition.

The front retains strong colour, clear portrait detail and excellent visual impact. Once framed, this poster will display excellently.

Reference: T119.

Please review all photographs, including the front and reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1971 Japanese release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 54 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.