“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” / 「大災難」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1988, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) E278

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the 1988 Japanese release of Planes, Trains and Automobiles / 「大災難」, John Hughes’s celebrated road comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy.

The Japanese title, Dai Sainan / 「大災難」, translates as “Great Disaster.” Created specifically for the Japanese market, this distinctive poster uses lively caricature artwork to depict the film’s escalating series of travel catastrophes.

Film background

The film follows Neal Page, an impatient advertising executive attempting to travel from New York to Chicago in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family.

After severe weather diverts his flight, Neal becomes reluctantly attached to Del Griffith, a warm-hearted but relentlessly talkative shower-curtain-ring salesman.

The mismatched pair attempt to complete the journey by aeroplane, train, rental car, bus, and any other transport available. Each new arrangement ends in further disaster, including cancelled flights, damaged vehicles, stolen money, hotel confusion, and prolonged detours across the American Midwest.

Beneath its succession of physical-comedy set pieces, the film gradually develops into an affecting study of loneliness, generosity, and friendship. The contrasting performances of Steve Martin and John Candy give the story both its comic tension and emotional depth.

The film was written, directed, and produced by John Hughes, with music composed by Ira Newborn.

The principal cast includes:

Steve Martin
John Candy
Laila Robins
Michael McKean
Kevin Bacon

Planes, Trains and Automobiles has become one of the most enduring American holiday comedies and is widely admired for balancing broad slapstick with an unusually sincere emotional conclusion.

Poster design

This wonderfully playful Japanese design presents the film as a chaotic illustrated travel disaster.

Against a warm yellow background, exaggerated caricatures of Steve Martin as Neal Page and John Candy as Del Griffith stride through a collapsing landscape of transport wreckage.

Neal appears tense and alarmed in his business suit, carrying a briefcase while his fedora flies away behind him. Del, dressed in blue and clutching his luggage, remains cheerfully oblivious to the destruction surrounding them.

Beneath the two figures, the film’s three principal modes of transportation are shown in comic ruin:

• an aircraft burns in mid-air
• a train derails across broken tracks
• a blue rental car buckles beneath their feet

The enormous maroon title:

「大災難」

dominates the upper section.

Directly below appears:

“PTA”

representing Planes, Trains and Automobiles, with small illustrated vehicles incorporated into the lettering.

The red vertical text at right reads:

「NYからシカゴまで
ジェットに乗れば2時間半
汽車で行くなら7時間
車を飛ばして15時間」

Translated:

“From New York to Chicago: two and a half hours by jet, seven hours by train, or fifteen hours by speeding car.”

The humorous copy at lower left describes a journey in which two incompatible travelling companions endure snow, theft, accidents, and a succession of disasters over three nights and four days.

The colourful cartoon style differs considerably from the photographic imagery used for many international campaigns. It emphasises the film’s slapstick character while capturing the contrasting personalities of its two stars.

Production credits along the lower edge identify Steve Martin, John Candy, John Hughes, Paramount Pictures, and UIP.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive example retaining strong yellow, maroon, blue, and red tones, clean illustrated detail, sharp typography, and excellent overall display impact.

There are only light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster from this period.

Reference: E278.

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

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1988 Japanese release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 35 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.