This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the first Japanese release of Shark! (シャーク！), the Italian-Japanese shock documentary also known internationally as Sharks and Men and Uomini e Squali. The film was directed by Bruno Vailati and released in Japan by Toho-Towa in 1976.
Film background
Released in Japan during the mid-1970s boom for shark and nature-shock cinema, Shark! was marketed as a dramatic “human versus shark” documentary, combining underwater photography, danger spectacle, and sensational theatrical presentation. The Japanese campaign positioned the film as an intense marine shock documentary, following the global fascination with sharks in the wake of Jaws and related ocean-thriller publicity of the period. The soundtrack was by Daniele Patucchi, whose music for Sharks and Men / Uomini e Squali was issued in Japan.
Poster design
A spectacular and highly dramatic Japanese poster dominated by two enormous great white sharks, painted with sweeping movement and tremendous theatrical force. The upper shark surges upward from the water, jaws open, while a diver drifts helplessly nearby. Below, a second shark tears through a broken cage structure, creating a violent diagonal composition filled with spray, blood, and underwater chaos.
The poster’s title treatment is especially strong: SHARK! appears in jagged blue lettering at upper right, paired with the bold yellow Japanese title シャーク！. The top copy promises a deadly struggle between man and shark, while the lower credits identify the work as a colour shock documentary. The artwork is by the noted Japanese illustrator Susumu Masukawa (増川進), whose dynamic, painterly poster work is prized by collectors and survives on only a limited number of known titles.
Rarity and significance
Original Japanese shark and nature-shock posters from the 1970s are increasingly difficult to find, particularly examples with such powerful custom artwork. This B2 is especially desirable because of its large-scale painted great white imagery, its connection to the Japanese exploitation-documentary market of the period, and its signed/attributed artwork by Susumu Masukawa.
For collectors of Japanese horror, exploitation, creature-feature, documentary-shock cinema, and shark-related film posters, this is an exceptional display piece.
Condition
Very Good / Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 50 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
