“One Spy Too Many” / 「0011ナポレオン・ソロ 地獄へ道づれ」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1966, B2 Size (51.5 × 72.8 cm) F293

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the original Japanese release of One Spy Too Many / 「0011ナポレオン・ソロ 地獄へ道づれ」 in 1966.

Adapted from the two-part The Man from U.N.C.L.E. television story “The Alexander the Greater Affair,” the film stars Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin. This striking Japanese poster features a dynamic illustrated montage designed specifically for the film’s theatrical campaign.

Film background

The film follows U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin as they attempt to stop Alexander, a wealthy and megalomaniacal industrialist determined to model himself on Alexander the Great.

Alexander has obtained a powerful experimental chemical capable of removing human willpower. He intends to use it to create an obedient population and establish his own global empire.

Solo and Kuryakin are drawn into an increasingly dangerous mission involving kidnapping, elaborate traps, secret compounds, armed guards, and the race to recover the stolen weapon before Alexander can put his plan into operation.

Directed by Joseph Sargent, the screenplay was written by Dean Hargrove.

The principal cast includes Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, and Rip Torn.

Originally produced as the two-part television episode “The Alexander the Greater Affair,” the story was re-edited and expanded into a feature-length theatrical film for international distribution.

During the global spy boom of the 1960s, MGM successfully released several expanded The Man from U.N.C.L.E. television stories theatrically outside the United States. These films proved particularly popular in Japan, where the series was promoted under the distinctive title:

「0011ナポレオン・ソロ」

The “0011” designation was added for the Japanese market to evoke the secret-agent numbering associated with the James Bond films.

Poster design

The poster uses a bold illustrated montage combining painted portraits, photographic source imagery, action scenes, and dramatic Japanese typography.

At the centre is a large image of Napoleon Solo, played by Robert Vaughn, aiming his distinctive U.N.C.L.E. firearm. The weapon is shown fitted with an extended barrel, shoulder stock, and sight, transforming the compact pistol into a futuristic spy rifle.

Solo’s forward-leaning stance and direct aim dominate the composition, creating an immediate sense of movement and danger.

Behind him stands Illya Kuryakin, played by David McCallum, dressed in a dark suit and holding a pistol. His presence reinforces the partnership between the two agents and the enormous popularity of Vaughn and McCallum as an on-screen duo.

A series of smaller action vignettes surrounds the central figures.

At upper left, two captured men hang suspended from a rope, suggesting one of the elaborate traps faced by the agents.

At lower left, a woman emerges from the water with her arms raised behind her head.

The lower centre shows a man bound to a table or platform, while the right side contains a violent confrontation in which one man attacks another.

These images present the film as a fast-moving mixture of espionage, danger, glamour, gadgets, and physical action.

The upper section is anchored by a jagged black field containing the large pale-blue title:

「0011ナポレオン・ソロ」

Beneath it, the Japanese subtitle appears in vivid red:

「地獄へ道づれ」

The phrase may be translated approximately as:

“Take You Along to Hell.”

The white text beneath the title reads:

「総天然色メトロスコープ」

“Full Natural Colour MetroScope.”

The diagonal red tagline across the centre announces:

「秘密兵器B30を狙え！ソロとイリヤのコンビが第3の危機に挑戦！」

“Target the secret weapon B30! The team of Solo and Illya confronts its third major crisis!”

The actors’ names appear prominently at right:

「ロバート・ボーン
デビッド・マッカラム
リップ・トーン」

“Robert Vaughn
David McCallum
Rip Torn.”

The lower-right corner features the original English title:

ONE SPY TOO MANY

incorporated into a stylised blue-and-white arrow-shaped logo.

Along the bottom are the MGM insignia, the Japanese description identifying it as an MGM film, and the director credit:

「監督 ジョセフ・サージェント」

“Directed by Joseph Sargent.”

Design note

The poster’s artist is uncredited, as was common with Japanese theatrical advertising produced for imported films during the 1960s.

The central figures appear to have been created from painted adaptations of studio publicity photographs, combined with smaller photographic and illustrated scenes arranged by MGM’s Japanese promotional department.

The oversized weapon, angular black title panel, vivid red typography, and pulp-action imagery capture the visual language of the international spy boom at its height.

The design differs significantly from the film’s Western advertising and was created specifically to appeal to Japanese audiences familiar with both James Bond and the enormously popular The Man from U.N.C.L.E. television series.

Release note

One Spy Too Many was produced and released theatrically in 1966.

It was released in Japan under the title:

「0011ナポレオン・ソロ 地獄へ道づれ」

This poster was printed for the film’s original 1966 Japanese theatrical release.

It is a standard Japanese B2-size theatrical poster, measuring approximately:

51.5 × 72.8 cm / 20.3 × 28.7 inches

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

Condition

Very Good / Excellent condition. A highly attractive example with strong colour, striking illustrated imagery, clear typography, and excellent overall display impact.

The poster has period horizontal and vertical fold lines, together with light surface creasing, minor edge and corner wear, and age-related toning visible from the reverse. These signs are consistent with the age and original handling of a Japanese theatrical poster from 1966.

Despite these minor signs of age, the colours remain rich and the front presents extremely well.

Reference: F293.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1966 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 55 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.