“Les Années Folles” (狂った年輪), Original Japanese Movie Poster 1961, Mirea Alexandresco / Henri Torrent, B2 Format (c. 51 × 73 cm) — U23

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for the 1961 Japanese release of Les Années Folles, released locally as 狂った年輪 (Kurutta Nenrin). Distributed by Nippon Herald Films, this French documentary dates from 1960 and opened in Japan on 20 October 1961. Its striking design combines historical photographs, vivid colour accents, and bold red typography.

Directed by Mirea Alexandresco and Henri Torrent, the film draws on archival footage to explore the entertainment, inventions, and political upheavals of the interwar years. The Japanese release was re-edited by Nichiei Shinsha, incorporating additional Japanese footage. The poster prominently credits Eitarō Ozawa for the Japanese narration, highlighting the adaptation prepared for local audiences.

Printed on one B2 sheet, the composition juxtaposes leisure and spectacle with the forces of dictatorship and war. Large monochrome portraits of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tōjō dominate the upper and central sections. A dancer in a vivid red skirt cuts across the foreground, accompanied by images of bathing beauties, early aviation, crowds, and military conflict.

The oversized red lettering 「狂った年輪」 stretches across the bottom, while the French title “LES ANNÉES FOLLES” appears above it on the right. A yellow list advertises subjects ranging from the Russian Revolution and Great Kantō Earthquake to Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing, Chicago gangsters, and the outbreak of the Second World War. An additional yellow credit promotes the film’s Venice Film Festival San Marco Lion award, bringing a note of festival prestige to the dramatic presentation.

The prominent red tagline reads:

「未公開フィルムが暴く快楽と流血渦巻く動乱の20世紀！」
“Previously unseen footage exposes a turbulent twentieth century swept up in pleasure and bloodshed!”

The combination of historical imagery, theatrical colour, and forceful lettering gives this poster a distinctive presence. It is an appealing example for collectors of archival documentary cinema, Nippon Herald releases, and Japanese film poster design of the early 1960s.

Condition: Excellent. Light fold and handling creases are present, with age toning and minor marks on the reverse. The front retains strong colour and clear detail.

Please review all photographs, including the reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

B2 format: approximately 51 × 73 cm.
Stock code: U23.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

About Japanese B2 posters
Japanese B2 posters, typically measuring around 51 × 73 cm, were a standard format for theatrical advertising. Designed for temporary cinema display, surviving examples preserve the distinctive artwork, typography, and promotional approaches of their original Japanese releases.