“The Legend of Frenchie King” / 「華麗なる対決」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1972, B2 Size (51.5 × 72.8 cm) F294

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of The Legend of Frenchie King / 「華麗なる対決」, Christian-Jaque’s 1971 French Western comedy, released theatrically in Japan in 1972.

Originally titled Les Pétroleuses, the film is particularly celebrated for bringing together Brigitte Bardot and Claudia Cardinale—two of European cinema’s greatest international stars—for their first and only screen pairing.

Film background

Set in the American West, the film follows Louise, played by Brigitte Bardot, the leader of a notorious outlaw gang composed of five sisters.

After acquiring the deed to a ranch through decidedly unlawful means, Louise and her sisters attempt to abandon their criminal lives and settle on the property. Their plans are complicated by the arrival of Marie, played by Claudia Cardinale, a formidable local woman who discovers that the land may contain a valuable oil deposit.

A fierce rivalry develops between the two women, leading to gunfights, deception, romantic entanglements, physical confrontations, and an escalating battle for control of the ranch.

Directed by Christian-Jaque, the screenplay was written by Marie-Ange Aniès, Jean-Claude Carrière, and Guy Casaril.

The cast includes Brigitte Bardot, Claudia Cardinale, Michael J. Pollard, Micheline Presle, and Patty Shepard.

The film combines the visual conventions of the European Western with broad comedy and star-driven spectacle. Its international publicity centred heavily on the pairing of Bardot—widely known as “BB”—and Cardinale, promoted as “CC.”

Poster design

The poster uses a spectacular photographic montage created specifically for the Japanese theatrical campaign.

The upper half is dominated by an enormous portrait of Brigitte Bardot wearing a wide-brimmed black cowboy hat. Her blonde hair, heavily defined eyes, and upward gaze create an instantly recognisable image of one of the defining European film stars of the period.

A smoking revolver rises dramatically in front of Bardot’s portrait, adding movement and danger to the composition.

Overlapping the central portrait is a full-length image of Claudia Cardinale standing confidently with a long-barrelled firearm. Her direct, defiant pose places her at the centre of the action and visually establishes the confrontation between the film’s two principal characters.

The surrounding montage incorporates numerous scenes from the film, including a mounted posse riding across the Western landscape, a cowboy or lawman holding a revolver, a passionate romantic embrace, a pioneer wagon and distant settlement, armed women on horseback, and a physical fight between the female characters along the lower edge.

The dense arrangement captures the film’s mixture of Western action, comedy, romance, and rivalry.

At upper right, the blue and red Japanese text announces:

「二度と見られぬ初顔合せ!!
世界の恋人B・B
ブリジット・バルドー
世紀のグラマーC・C
クラウディア・カルディナーレ」

“A first-time pairing never to be seen again!! The world’s sweetheart BB: Brigitte Bardot / The glamour icon of the century CC: Claudia Cardinale.”

The vertical text at left reads:

「西部で女が生きるには——
人も殺した、盗みもした、
手ごわい相手は女の武器ですり寄った！」

“For a woman to survive in the West—she killed, she stole, and when confronted by a formidable opponent, she used a woman’s weapons to draw close!”

The lower portion is dominated by the enormous Japanese title:

「華麗なる対決」

The title is rendered in vivid red lettering with sharply extended strokes, giving the design exceptional visual impact.

The original French title:

LES PÉTROLEUSES

appears in smaller green lettering immediately above the Japanese typography.

The lower-left corner identifies the production as a French colour film, while the distribution credit for Shochiku Eihai / 松竹映配 appears along the bottom.

Design note

The poster’s designer is uncredited, as was common with Japanese advertising materials produced for imported European films during this period.

Rather than using a single painted illustration, the composition combines numerous photographic elements into an elaborate studio-designed montage. The carefully layered portraits, action scenes, typography, and Western imagery were tailored specifically to Japanese audiences.

The design differs substantially from the film’s European and international advertising and places particular emphasis on the historic meeting of Bardot and Cardinale.

Its dramatic scale, bold Japanese lettering, and star-focused imagery make it an outstanding example of early-1970s Japanese poster design for imported European cinema.

Release note

The Legend of Frenchie King was produced in 1971 under its original French title Les Pétroleuses and released theatrically in Japan in 1972 as:

「華麗なる対決」

This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release.

It is a standard Japanese B2-size theatrical poster, measuring approximately:

51.5 × 72.8 cm / 20.3 × 28.7 inches

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition

Very Good / Excellent condition. A highly attractive example with strong colour, sharp photographic imagery, clear typography, and excellent overall display impact.

There are light signs of age and handling consistent with an original theatrical poster from 1972, including gentle creasing, minor edge and corner wear, and age-related toning visible from the reverse. These do not significantly detract from the poster’s appearance, and the front presents extremely well.

Reference: F294.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1972 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 50 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.