“Nighthawks” / 「ナイトホークス」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1981, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA1066

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Nighthawks / 「ナイトホークス」, the gritty urban action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, and Rutger Hauer.

A tense early-1980s crime thriller, Nighthawks combines New York street realism, international terrorism, undercover police work, and hard-edged action suspense. This Japanese poster is especially striking, with a bold black ground, graphic stippled imagery, and vivid red and electric-blue typography.

Film background
Released in 1981, Nighthawks follows two New York City undercover detectives who are reassigned to a specialist anti-terrorism unit. They are soon drawn into a dangerous pursuit of an international terrorist whose campaign of bombings, assassinations, and hostage-taking brings violent tension to the heart of Manhattan.

The film was directed by Bruce Malmuth, from a screenplay by David Shaber. The principal cast includes Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta, Nigel Davenport, and Rutger Hauer.

The film remains highly regarded among 1980s action-thriller collectors for its taut urban atmosphere, strong cat-and-mouse structure, and Rutger Hauer’s memorable Hollywood debut as the villainous Wulfgar. It also features a distinctive score by Keith Emerson.

Poster design
The Japanese poster uses a powerful high-contrast graphic composition. The upper section is dominated by a stark black-and-white stippled image of the armed lead figure, shown in a dramatic stance against a dark field of vertical light beams and glowing spotlights.

The design is exceptionally bold, using a near-monochrome action image above the title treatment, while the lower edge includes a horizontal row of colour cast portraits. This gives the poster a sharp, modern, early-1980s crime-thriller aesthetic.

The principal Japanese tagline at upper left reads:

「連続殺人！ビル爆破！追いつめられたはぐれテロ、ターゲットは遂に国連要人へ！！」
“Serial murders! Building bombings! A cornered rogue terrorist — the target finally shifts to UN dignitaries!”

The title layout is especially strong. 「シルベスター・スタローン」 appears in yellow above the large red katakana title 「ナイトホークス」, while the original English title NIGHTHAWKS dominates the lower third in massive bright blue lettering. Cast and production credits are printed cleanly in white around the lower photographic panels.

The overall design is graphic, atmospheric, and highly evocative of early-1980s Japanese poster art for imported American action thrillers.

Release note
This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release campaign.

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition
Excellent condition. A very attractive example, with strong colour, clean imagery, sharp typography, and excellent overall display impact.

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

This is an original 1981 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 40 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.