“Ludwig” (ルードウィヒ 神々の黄昏), Original Japanese Re-Release Movie Poster 1980, Luchino Visconti, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) N199
This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1980 for the Japanese re-release of Ludwig (ルードウィヒ 神々の黄昏), Luchino Visconti’s monumental biographical drama about King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Although the film was originally released internationally in 1973, this Japanese poster dates to the prestigious 1980 revival campaign, identified by the printed line 「昭和55年度芸術祭参加作品」 — “Participating Work in the 1980 Arts Festival.” It is a beautifully designed Japanese poster for one of Visconti’s most opulent and tragic late works.
Film background
Directed by Luchino Visconti, Ludwig stars Helmut Berger as King Ludwig II, with Romy Schneider reprising the role of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, alongside Trevor Howard, Silvana Mangano, Gert Fröbe, and John Moulder-Brown.
The film forms part of Visconti’s celebrated cycle of late-period European historical dramas, often associated with his “German Trilogy,” alongside The Damned and Death in Venice. It explores Ludwig’s withdrawal into art, architecture, Wagnerian fantasy, isolation, and psychological decline, presenting the king as both visionary patron and doomed outsider.
Poster design
This Japanese B2 is an exceptionally elegant Visconti design. The composition is centred on a lavish oval frame bordered with blue filigree and red floral ornament, evoking European aristocratic portraiture and courtly decoration.
Inside the oval, Helmut Berger as Ludwig II appears in top hat and dark formal dress, his expression withdrawn and haunted. Beside him, Romy Schneider as Empress Elisabeth is shown in profile, giving the image a refined, melancholic tension.
The background includes symbols associated with Ludwig’s world: Neuschwanstein Castle, swans, theatrical fantasy, and dreamlike architectural imagery. These details beautifully reflect the film’s central themes of beauty, obsession, artifice, and retreat from reality.
The large red title ルードウィヒ dominates the upper section, with the subtitle 神々の黄昏 — “Twilight of the Gods” — printed beneath in orange. The English title Ludwig appears in gothic lettering at the bottom, alongside the Towa distribution mark.
The left-side copy describes the film as a magnificent homage to a noble spirit devoted to art and beauty, while the printed quote echoes Ludwig’s own mythic self-image:
“I am an enigma, and I want to remain an enigma forever, to others and to myself.”
Condition
Excellent condition. Please review the photo carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.
This poster is an original Japanese theatrical B2 from the 1980 re-release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
It is over 40 years old!
Certificate of Authenticity included.
