“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (スター・ウォーズ ジェダイの復讐), Original Japanese Special Edition Movie Poster 1997, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) S117

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical release poster, printed for the 1997 Japanese cinema release of the Special Edition of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Directed by Richard Marquand, produced by Howard Kazanjian, and starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, the Special Edition opened theatrically in Japan on 26 July 1997 as part of the worldwide 20th-anniversary revival of the original Star Wars trilogy.

Significantly, the poster retains the original Japanese theatrical subtitle ジェダイの復讐 — literally “Revenge of the Jedi” — rather than the later Japanese title ジェダイの帰還 (“Return of the Jedi”). Contemporary Japanese records for the 1997 Special Edition confirm that ジェダイの復讐 特別篇 was still the official title used for this release.

Poster design

A spectacular Japanese adaptation of Drew Struzan’s celebrated 1997 Special Edition artwork, created as the concluding panel of his three-poster Star Wars Special Edition triptych. Struzan’s richly painted composition combines the major characters, creatures and spacecraft of Return of the Jedi against an expansive deep-space background.

At the centre is the film’s climactic confrontation between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, reduced to powerful black silhouettes as their red and green lightsabers cross in a burst of light. The simplicity of this central duel contrasts beautifully with the densely painted character imagery surrounding it.

Above loom enormous portraits of Chewbacca and Jabba the Hutt, while Yoda appears at right beside C-3PO and R2-D2. Below are Wicket the Ewok and Boba Fett, surrounded by an extraordinary array of spacecraft including the Millennium Falcon, Imperial Shuttle, X-wings and TIE fighters.

Across the very top, widely spaced lettering reads:

SPECIAL EDITION

while the Japanese title beneath the central artwork reads:

スター・ウォーズ
ジェダイの復讐
〈特別篇〉

— “Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi – Special Edition.”

The combination of Struzan’s painterly portraits, the silhouetted father-and-son duel, jewel-like spacecraft, and the deep black star field makes this one of the most visually complete designs associated with the original trilogy.

Film and Special Edition significance

The 1997 Special Editions were created to mark the 20th anniversary of the original Star Wars and returned all three films to cinemas with restored prints, remastered sound and a number of revised or newly created visual-effects sequences.

For Return of the Jedi, these included alterations to the Sarlacc, expanded activity inside Jabba’s Palace, and new celebratory sequences at the film’s conclusion. The Japanese theatrical release ran at 137 minutes and was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

The 1997 campaign was also hugely important visually because it introduced Drew Struzan’s unified Special Edition triptych, allowing the posters for A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi to form a continuous panoramic composition when displayed together.

It is nearly 30 years old!

Condition

Excellent. A beautifully preserved example with deep, rich blacks, vivid blues, strong gold typography and excellent colour throughout Drew Struzan’s painted artwork.

The sheet presents extremely cleanly overall, with only light age / storage handling and very minor surface character visible on close inspection. The reverse is particularly clean and there are no major condition issues affecting the artwork, title, margins or overall presentation.

Once framed, it will display exceptionally well.

Please review the front and reverse photographs carefully—they show the exact poster for sale.

This is not a reproduction or reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.