“Castaway” (漂流者), Original Japanese Video Release Promotional Poster 1987, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) D230
This is an original Japanese B2 video release promotional poster printed for Nicolas Roeg’s survival drama Castaway (1986), released in Japan under the title 漂流者 (Hyōryūsha). Starring Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe, this is not a standard theatrical release poster, but a scarce Japanese poster produced to promote the film’s home video release. The circular burst at the upper left announces “Arrives August 12” and “Video cassette sale / rental begins”, issued by Cannon Releasing Corporation, while the fine print at the bottom confirms that the film was unreleased theatrically in Japan (劇場未公開).
Poster design
The design is both sensual and atmospheric, divided into two highly contrasting image zones. The upper half is dominated by an intimate close-up of the two leads in a tight embrace, capturing the film’s central relationship and its psychological tension. Amanda Donohoe and Oliver Reed are shown almost entirely isolated against a pale background, giving the composition a stark, emotionally charged focus.
The lower section shifts dramatically in tone and colour, featuring a silhouetted female figure on a beach against a fiery orange-red tropical sunset. Between the two sections sits the blue handwritten-style English title Castaway, while the bold red Japanese title 漂流者 stretches across the lower portion with real visual force. Beneath it appears the subtitle 2人だけの島 — CASTAWAY (“An island for just two people”). The vertical copy on the right adds a suggestive line about two people alone on a southern island, with a dangerous shadow gradually falling over their dazzling love. On the left, the promotional text highlights the film as a provocative new work by Nicolas Roeg, director of The Man Who Fell to Earth.
This contrast between erotic close-up and tropical silhouette gives the poster a strong late-1980s video-era aesthetic, and makes it especially appealing as a piece of Japanese VHS promotional design, rather than merely as film advertising.
Historical context & significance
Based on Lucy Irvine’s autobiographical book, Castaway tells the story of a man and woman who agree to live together in isolation on a remote island, only for the experiment to descend into emotional and psychological conflict. Roeg’s adaptation is notable for its mixture of sensuality, survival drama, and uneasy power dynamics.
What makes this poster particularly interesting is its status as a Japanese video release poster for a film that did not receive a Japanese theatrical release. During the 1980s, distributors frequently produced striking B2 posters specifically for the booming video market, intended for display in rental shops and retail outlets. As such, these posters can be significantly scarcer than ordinary theatrical sheets, especially when they survive in such strong condition.
It is over 39 years old!
Condition
Excellent. The poster displays extremely well, with strong colour, a clean surface, and very attractive overall presentation. There are no major condition issues apparent that detract from the image or display impact. Please study the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
