“Taxi” / 「TAXi」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1998, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) E268

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the 1998 Japanese release of Taxi / 「TAXi」, Gérard Pirès’s enormously successful French action-comedy, written and produced by Luc Besson.

Set in Marseille, the film combines spectacular practical driving sequences with fast-paced comedy and the mismatched partnership between a fearless taxi driver and a police inspector who cannot drive.

The Japanese poster concentrates on the film’s principal attraction: Daniel’s modified Peugeot soaring above a steep city street at extraordinary speed.

Film background

The story follows Daniel Morales, a speed-obsessed former pizza delivery rider who fulfils his ambition of becoming a professional taxi driver.

His ordinary white Peugeot 406 conceals extensive performance modifications, allowing Daniel to transform it into a high-speed machine capable of outrunning almost anything on the road.

Daniel’s driving attracts the attention of Émilien Coutant-Kerbalec, an accident-prone police inspector who repeatedly fails his driving examination. After catching Daniel travelling far beyond the legal speed limit, Émilien offers him a choice: lose his licence or assist the police.

Daniel is recruited to help capture a highly organised group of German bank robbers known as the Mercedes Gang, whose powerful vehicles have repeatedly allowed them to escape the Marseille police.

The unlikely partnership brings together Daniel’s exceptional driving ability and Émilien’s determination to prove himself as an investigator. Their pursuit develops into a succession of elaborate chases through Marseille’s narrow streets, tunnels, and surrounding roads.

The film was directed by Gérard Pirès, from a screenplay by Luc Besson, who also served as producer.

The principal cast includes:

Samy Naceri
Frédéric Diefenthal
Marion Cotillard
Emma Sjöberg
Bernard Farcy
Manuela Gourary

The soundtrack prominently features the Marseille hip-hop group IAM, connecting the film’s kinetic style with the city’s contemporary musical culture.

Taxi became a major commercial success and developed into one of France’s best-known modern action franchises, followed by several sequels and an American remake.

Poster design

This exceptional Japanese poster uses an extreme low-angle perspective to create an immediate sensation of speed, height, and urban vertigo.

Daniel’s white Peugeot dominates the upper half of the composition. Viewed from behind and heavily blurred by motion, the vehicle appears to be flying directly above the viewer after launching from the crest of a steep Marseille street.

The rooftop sign reads:

“TAXI MARSEILLE”

Its red lettering remains visible despite the intense movement of the car.

The street drops dramatically towards the centre of Marseille, with tightly packed buildings converging around the distant cityscape. The unusually tilted viewpoint exaggerates the gradient and makes the vehicle’s jump appear even more hazardous.

The colour palette contrasts the brilliant blue sky with the warm orange, yellow, and red tones reflected across the car and surrounding architecture. The result evokes the heat and brightness of southern France while intensifying the poster’s sense of velocity.

The vertical white headline at upper right reads:

「時速250kmのカー・チェイス！」

Translated:

“A 250 km/h car chase!”

The enormous title:

“TAXi”

is printed diagonally across the road in bold yellow stencil lettering. By integrating the typography directly into the asphalt, the design makes the title appear like a piece of road signage beneath the airborne car.

The prominent production credit at lower left reads:

「製作・脚本 リュック・ベッソン」

Translated:

“Produced and written by Luc Besson.”

The lower credit block identifies the principal cast and filmmakers, including Samy Naceri, Frédéric Diefenthal, Marion Cotillard, Gérard Pirès, Luc Besson, and IAM.

Japanese distribution credits for Pony Canyon and Comstock appear along the bottom edge.

The result is a highly effective piece of late-1990s action-film design, reducing the film to a single gravity-defying image that communicates its humour, Marseille setting, and obsession with speed.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive example with vivid colour, sharp photographic detail, clean 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. Overall, it presents extremely well.

Reference: E268.

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

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1998 Japanese release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 25 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.