"Jesus Christ Superstar", Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1973, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) K250

A striking Japanese B2 poster for Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring a bold combination of photographic scenes and graphic portraiture. The dominant image of Jesus, rendered in red, magenta and deep blue, gives this design considerable visual impact and captures the film’s distinctive meeting of biblical drama and 1970s rock spectacle.

Film background

Directed by Norman Jewison, Jesus Christ Superstar brought Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera to the cinema. Ted Neeley stars as Jesus, alongside Carl Anderson as Judas and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. The film opened in Japan on 22 December 1973, distributed by CIC.

Its interpretation of the final days of Jesus places particular emphasis on the conflicting emotions of those around him. Contemporary costumes, energetic choreography and modern military imagery sit alongside ancient settings, creating an approach that remains immediately recognisable.

Poster design

The composition centres on an imposing portrait of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns. Its colours shift from vivid red through purple to dark blue, contrasting with the pale background and large Japanese title across the lower edge.

Above, dancers perform beneath theatrical lighting, while a quieter image shows Mary Magdalene tending to Jesus. A procession carrying crosses appears along the left side. Below the central portrait, Judas runs between images of tanks and aircraft, echoing the film’s deliberate collision of ancient narrative and modern warfare.

These contrasting elements give the poster both dramatic scale and intimate detail. The Japanese typography and carefully arranged montage make it an appealing example of the film’s international promotional artwork.

Condition

Presented in Very Good+ / Excellent condition

Please examine the accompanying front, reverse and detail photographs carefully, as these form an important part of the condition description.

This is an original vintage Japanese cinema poster, not a reproduction or modern reprint.

Approximately 53 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.