This is an original Japanese printed in 1958 for the first release of The Hidden Fortress.
The artwork is phenomenal with both Toshihiro Mifune and Misa Uehara prominently featured.
We purchased a large collection of extremely rare 1940`s-1950`s posters from an individual who owned a cinema that closed in the 1970`s. Small cinemas were very prevalent until the 1970`s when consolidation and the mega cinema led to many closures. The 1980`s and video cassettes were the final nail in the coffin - thousands of small cinemas closed up. This particular owner diligently stored his posters for 70 years in a futon cupboard in his house.
Star Wars: George Lucas has acknowledged the heavy influence of The Hidden Fortress on Star Wars, particularly in the technique of telling the story from the perspective of the film's lowliest characters, C-3PO and R2-D2. Lucas's original plot outline for Star Wars also had a strong resemblance to the plot of The Hidden Fortress, which would be reused for The Phantom Menace. (Source: Wiki)
The Hidden Fortress (隠し砦の三悪人, Kakushi toride no san akunin, literally, "The Three Villains of the Hidden Fortress") is a 1958 jidaigeki adventure film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It narrates the story of two peasants who agree to escort a man and a woman across enemy lines in return for gold without knowing that he is a general and the woman is a princess. The film stars Toshiro Mifune as General Makabe Rokurōta (真壁 六郎太) and Misa Uehara as Princess Yuki while the role of the peasants, Tahei and Matashichi, are portrayed by Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara respectively.
(Source Wikipedia)
This poster is in a extremely good original folded condition, Please refer to the imagery as this is the exact poster that is for sale.
Although this poster is in a fantastic condition, we provide professional conservation linen-backing service, this will restore the poster to its original condition, with fold lines barely visible. Please send us an email to japanposteruk@gmail.com for further information.
It is 63 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.