“Cape Fear” (ケープ・フィアー), Original First-Release Japanese Movie Poster 1991, Martin Scorsese / Robert De Niro, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) S175

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese cinema release of Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller Cape Fear (ケープ・フィアー), starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis. The film opened theatrically in Japan on 21 December 1991, distributed by UIP.

A remake of J. Lee Thompson’s 1962 film Cape Fear, itself adapted from John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners, Scorsese’s version follows convicted rapist Max Cady, played with terrifying intensity by De Niro, after his release from fourteen years in prison. Cady holds defence attorney Sam Bowden responsible for his conviction and methodically begins terrorising Bowden, his wife Leigh and their teenage daughter Danielle. The film also features appearances by original 1962 stars Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, deliberately connecting the remake to its predecessor.

Poster design
A superb and extremely powerful Japanese first-release design dominated by a nearly monochromatic field of blood red.

Across the upper half, the enormous disembodied eyes of Max Cady emerge from the red background, creating an oppressive sense that the Bowden family is permanently under surveillance. At lower left, De Niro appears shirtless, displaying the elaborate tattoos that became one of the film’s defining visual motifs.

To the right, a photographic portrait of the Bowden family — Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis — is literally torn down the centre, a brilliantly simple graphic device representing Cady’s deliberate invasion and destruction of the family unit.

The huge black Japanese headline across the top reads:

「全米震撼！」

— “All America shaken!”

Directly beneath it appears:

「ロバート・デ・ニーロ最新作!!」

— “Robert De Niro’s latest film!!”

The vertical white campaign line beside Cady reads:

「裁くは天にあらず　罰するは我なり！」

— approximately, “Judgment is not Heaven’s — punishment is mine!” The line is the documented Japanese catchphrase for the film’s original release.

The stark white ケープ・フィアー title across the bottom contrasts dramatically with the saturated red field, while the names Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange are prominently billed above it.

The result is an exceptionally strong piece of early-1990s Japanese thriller design: minimal, menacing and psychologically direct, with almost none of the visual clutter typical of contemporary studio posters.

Film significance
Cape Fear became one of the defining thrillers of Scorsese’s early-1990s period. De Niro received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, while Juliette Lewis was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The film’s visual identity was further distinguished by Saul Bass’s title design and Elmer Bernstein’s adaptation of Bernard Herrmann’s original 1962 score.

It is over 34 years old!

Condition
Near Mint. An exceptional surviving example. The extraordinary red colour field remains deep, even and beautifully saturated, while the blacks, whites and photographic elements retain excellent contrast and clarity.

The poster presents exceptionally cleanly, with only extremely minor signs of age or storage and no significant condition issue detracting from the artwork, typography or margins. For a Japanese theatrical poster from 1991, its preservation is outstanding.

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

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.