“The Last Emperor” / 「ラストエンペラー」, Original Japanese Academy Award Celebration Poster 1988, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) G285

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster issued in 1988 to celebrate the extraordinary Academy Award success of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor / 「ラストエンペラー」.

Rather than using conventional character photography, this special post-awards design presents the film’s historic nine-category sweep at the 60th Academy Awards, together with a formal message of gratitude from Bernardo Bertolucci, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and producer Jeremy Thomas.

Film background

The Last Emperor chronicles the remarkable life of Puyi, the final emperor of China.

The film begins with Puyi’s accession to the Qing dynasty throne as a young child within the Forbidden City. It follows his isolated imperial upbringing, loss of political authority, later position as ruler of Japanese-controlled Manchukuo, imprisonment after the Second World War, and eventual political re-education in the People’s Republic of China.

His transformation from divine sovereign to ordinary citizen is set against the immense political upheavals that reshaped twentieth-century China.

The film was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, from a screenplay written with Mark Peploe, and produced by Jeremy Thomas.

The principal cast includes:

John Lone
Joan Chen
Peter O’Toole
Ryuichi Sakamoto

The cinematography was by Vittorio Storaro, while the Academy Award-winning score was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su.

The production was historically significant as the first Western feature film granted extensive access to the Forbidden City.

Academy Award achievement

At the 60th Academy Awards, The Last Emperor won in all nine categories for which it was nominated:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Original Score
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Sound

The success included the Academy Award for Best Original Score awarded to Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su, marking a landmark international achievement for Sakamoto.

Poster design

The poster uses an exceptionally restrained black-and-white composition, allowing the awards announcement and message of thanks to become its principal visual elements.

The enormous headline across the top reads:

「本年度アカデミー賞
9部門パーフェクト受賞。」

Translated:

“A perfect sweep: winner of nine Academy Award categories this year.”

Directly beneath, the poster lists the nine winning categories and their respective recipients.

The central message, enclosed within a fine white decorative border, reads:

「この映画に関わった
全てのスタッフとファンの皆様に
心から感謝します。」

Translated:

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff and fans involved with this film.”

The message is attributed to:

Bernardo Bertolucci
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Jeremy Thomas

Below appears the bold white brush-style Japanese title:

「ラストエンペラー」

The calligraphic logo incorporates a small silhouette of a court official bowing before the child emperor, reducing the film’s themes of absolute power, ritual, and submission to a simple graphic image.

At the base appears the English title:

“THE LAST EMPEROR”

together with the Japanese distribution credit for Shochiku-Fuji Co., Ltd. / 松竹富士株式会社.

The near-total absence of colour or conventional promotional imagery gives the poster the character of a formal public announcement. It is a distinctive piece of Japanese awards-season ephemera documenting one of the most successful evenings in Academy Award history.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive and well-preserved example, retaining deep black tones, clean white typography, crisp border detail, and excellent overall display impact.

There are only light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese promotional poster from this period.

Reference: G285.

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

This is an original Japanese promotional poster issued following the film’s 1988 Academy Award sweep, not a reproduction or reprint.

It is approximately 38 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.