“SHADOW / TENEBRAE / シャドー”, ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 THEATRICAL POSTER — 1982 FILM / 1983 JAPANESE FIRST RELEASE, RARE ILLUSTRATED B1 DESIGN, B1 SIZE (c. 72.8 × 103 cm)

An original Japanese B1 theatrical poster for Dario Argento’s 1982 giallo Tenebrae, released in Japan under the title Shadow / シャドー.

Produced for the film’s original 1983 Japanese theatrical release, this large-format poster uses a striking illustrated composition rather than a conventional photographic still. A wide-eyed woman in a white lace nightdress fills the centre of the design, while the dark silhouette of a gloved killer and a gleaming straight razor emerge immediately behind her.

Across the upper section, the large toxic-green Japanese title シャドー is set against a red field of stylised dripping blood. A diagonal red band cuts across the central figure, carrying the film’s Japanese campaign line. The combination of saturated colour, exaggerated expression and concealed violence gives the poster an unmistakable early-1980s giallo aesthetic.

This is the large Japanese B1 format, measuring approximately 72.8 × 103 cm. The full-length illustrated B1 composition is considerably less frequently encountered than the standard Japanese B2 and smaller chirashi material. 

This is a cinema-used example in Very Good overall condition, retaining a strong display appearance. It has surface and edge wear consistent with theatrical handling, together with an area of paper loss at the lower-right corner. These condition points have been fully taken into account when pricing.

Key Facts

Film: Tenebrae / Tenebre
Japanese title: Shadow / シャドー
Director and screenwriter: Dario Argento
Country of poster origin: Japan
Original film year: 1982
Japanese theatrical release: 11 June 1983
Japanese distributor: Nippon Herald Film / 日本ヘラルド映画
Format: Original Japanese first-release theatrical poster
Size: B1 — c. 72.8 × 103 cm / 28.7 × 40.6 in
Printing: Single-sided, with an unprinted reverse
Presentation: Unfolded
Condition: Very Good overall — cinema-used, with edge wear, surface marks and lower-right corner paper loss
Rarity: Rare large-format Japanese B1 campaign poster

The film was released in Japan as Shadow, with Nippon Herald listed as distributor. The principal Japanese credits include Anthony Franciosa, Daria Nicolodi, John Saxon and Giuliano Gemma, with music credited to Simonetti, Pignatelli and Morante.

Illustration and Design

The poster is built around a dramatic illustrated image of a frightened woman facing the viewer. Her pale complexion, glassy eyes, red lips and nightdress contrast sharply with the almost completely black figure standing behind her.

Only the killer’s gloved hands, raised collar and straight razor are clearly illuminated. This creates an effective visual interpretation of the Japanese title Shadow: the threat is present, but remains largely concealed behind the central figure.

The upper portion is dominated by oversized green katakana lettering:

シャドー
“Shadow”

The title has a heavy black drop shadow and sits above a curtain-like band of red blood. Several drips extend down into the main illustration, directing the eye towards the woman and the hidden razor.

A red diagonal strip runs across the composition with the line:

クライマックスで、あなたも一緒に叫んでいる。
“At the climax, you too will be screaming.”

The upper-right campaign copy reads:

「恐怖の魔術師」D・アルジェントは、ついに「サスペリア」を超えた！
“The ‘Magician of Terror,’ Dario Argento, has finally surpassed Suspiria!”

The English title SHADOW and principal credits are printed vertically along the lower-right section, together with the original Nippon Herald and Eirin marks.

Rare B1 Format

At approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, this poster has twice the surface area of the standard Japanese B2 format.

The additional scale allows the full illustrated figure, dripping-blood typography and diagonal campaign text to occupy the composition without appearing crowded. The result has a substantially different impact from the smaller Japanese poster and handbill formats.

This is an original specialist cinema-display sheet rather than a later decorative or commercial print. 

Condition Report

Very Good overall cinema-used condition, with strong display appeal.

The poster remains complete apart from the localised lower-right corner loss and presents very well when viewed normally. The central illustration, woman’s face, killer, razor, principal title and campaign text remain clear and unaffected by any major damage.

The colours remain strong, particularly the green title, red blood and diagonal red strip. The darker printed areas retain good depth, and the overall image remains visually effective at full B1 scale.

The missing corner and cumulative edge wear prevent an Excellent + assessment. Nevertheless, the main illustrated image remains strong and the poster presents very well overall in Very Good condition.

All visible wear and paper loss have been taken into account when pricing.

This is the exact poster shown in the photographs.

Authenticity Statement

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster produced for the first Japanese release of Dario Argento’s Tenebrae, issued locally as Shadow / シャドー.

It is not a modern reproduction, later commercial print or contemporary decorative poster. 

An uncommon original Japanese horror poster in the substantial B1 format, distinguished by its full-length illustrated design, dripping-blood title treatment and strong Giallo imagery, offered in accurately described Very Good cinema-used condition.