{"product_id":"the-legend-of-frenchie-king-華麗なる対決-original-japanese-movie-poster-1972-b2-size-51-5-72-8-cm-f294","title":"“The Legend of Frenchie King” \/ 「華麗なる対決」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1972, B2 Size (51.5 × 72.8 cm) F294","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"114\" data-end=\"331\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"125\" data-end=\"167\"\u003eoriginal Japanese B2 theatrical poster\u003c\/strong\u003e printed for the Japanese release of \u003cem data-start=\"204\" data-end=\"233\"\u003eThe Legend of Frenchie King\u003c\/em\u003e \/ 「華麗なる対決」, Christian-Jaque’s 1971 French Western comedy, released theatrically in Japan in 1972.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"333\" data-end=\"564\"\u003eOriginally titled \u003cem data-start=\"351\" data-end=\"368\"\u003eLes Pétroleuses\u003c\/em\u003e, the film is particularly celebrated for bringing together \u003cstrong data-start=\"428\" data-end=\"563\"\u003eBrigitte Bardot and Claudia Cardinale—two of European cinema’s greatest international stars—for their first and only screen pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"585\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"585\"\u003eFilm background\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"728\"\u003eSet in the American West, the film follows Louise, played by Brigitte Bardot, the leader of a notorious outlaw gang composed of five sisters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"1061\"\u003eAfter 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1063\" data-end=\"1244\"\u003eA fierce rivalry develops between the two women, leading to gunfights, deception, romantic entanglements, physical confrontations, and an escalating battle for control of the ranch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1361\"\u003eDirected by Christian-Jaque, the screenplay was written by Marie-Ange Aniès, Jean-Claude Carrière, and Guy Casaril.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1363\" data-end=\"1477\"\u003eThe cast includes \u003cstrong data-start=\"1381\" data-end=\"1476\"\u003eBrigitte Bardot, Claudia Cardinale, Michael J. Pollard, Micheline Presle, and Patty Shepard\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1711\"\u003eThe 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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1713\" data-end=\"1730\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1713\" data-end=\"1730\"\u003ePoster design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1732\" data-end=\"1841\"\u003eThe poster uses a spectacular photographic montage created specifically for the Japanese theatrical campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"2110\"\u003eThe upper half is dominated by an enormous portrait of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1957\"\u003eBrigitte Bardot wearing a wide-brimmed black cowboy hat\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2112\" data-end=\"2227\"\u003eA smoking revolver rises dramatically in front of Bardot’s portrait, adding movement and danger to the composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2229\" data-end=\"2513\"\u003eOverlapping the central portrait is a full-length image of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2360\"\u003eClaudia Cardinale standing confidently with a long-barrelled firearm\u003c\/strong\u003e. Her direct, defiant pose places her at the centre of the action and visually establishes the confrontation between the film’s two principal characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2854\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2856\" data-end=\"2954\"\u003eThe dense arrangement captures the film’s mixture of Western action, comedy, romance, and rivalry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"3013\"\u003eAt upper right, the blue and red Japanese text announces:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3084\"\u003e「二度と見られぬ初顔合せ!!\u003cbr data-start=\"3029\" data-end=\"3032\"\u003e世界の恋人B・B\u003cbr data-start=\"3040\" data-end=\"3043\"\u003eブリジット・バルドー\u003cbr data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3056\"\u003e世紀のグラマーC・C\u003cbr data-start=\"3066\" data-end=\"3069\"\u003eクラウディア・カルディナーレ」\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3086\" data-end=\"3233\"\u003e“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.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3235\" data-end=\"3267\"\u003eThe vertical text at left reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3319\"\u003e「西部で女が生きるには——\u003cbr data-start=\"3282\" data-end=\"3285\"\u003e人も殺した、盗みもした、\u003cbr data-start=\"3297\" data-end=\"3300\"\u003e手ごわい相手は女の武器ですり寄った！」\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3321\" data-end=\"3468\"\u003e“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!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3470\" data-end=\"3532\"\u003eThe lower portion is dominated by the enormous Japanese title:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3534\" data-end=\"3542\"\u003e「華麗なる対決」\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3544\" data-end=\"3664\"\u003eThe title is rendered in vivid red lettering with sharply extended strokes, giving the design exceptional visual impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3666\" data-end=\"3692\"\u003eThe original French title:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3694\" data-end=\"3713\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3694\" data-end=\"3713\"\u003eLES PÉTROLEUSES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3715\" data-end=\"3792\"\u003eappears in smaller green lettering immediately above the Japanese typography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3952\"\u003eThe lower-left corner identifies the production as a French colour film, while the distribution credit for \u003cstrong data-start=\"3901\" data-end=\"3926\"\u003eShochiku Eihai \/ 松竹映配\u003c\/strong\u003e appears along the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3954\" data-end=\"3969\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3954\" data-end=\"3969\"\u003eDesign note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3971\" data-end=\"4114\"\u003eThe poster’s designer is uncredited, as was common with Japanese advertising materials produced for imported European films during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4116\" data-end=\"4393\"\u003eRather 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4562\"\u003eThe design differs substantially from the film’s European and international advertising and places particular emphasis on the historic meeting of Bardot and Cardinale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4564\" data-end=\"4732\"\u003eIts dramatic scale, bold Japanese lettering, and star-focused imagery make it an outstanding example of early-1970s Japanese poster design for imported European cinema.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4750\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4750\"\u003eRelease note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4752\" data-end=\"4899\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"4752\" data-end=\"4781\"\u003eThe Legend of Frenchie King\u003c\/em\u003e was produced in 1971 under its original French title \u003cem data-start=\"4835\" data-end=\"4852\"\u003eLes Pétroleuses\u003c\/em\u003e and released theatrically in Japan in 1972 as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4901\" data-end=\"4909\"\u003e「華麗なる対決」\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4911\" data-end=\"4991\"\u003eThis poster was printed for the film’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"4950\" data-end=\"4990\"\u003eoriginal Japanese theatrical release\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4993\" data-end=\"5070\"\u003eIt is a standard Japanese B2-size theatrical poster, measuring approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5111\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5111\"\u003e51.5 × 72.8 cm \/ 20.3 × 28.7 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5113\" data-end=\"5209\"\u003eIt is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5224\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5224\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5226\" data-end=\"5394\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5226\" data-end=\"5262\"\u003eVery Good \/ Excellent condition.\u003c\/strong\u003e A highly attractive example with strong colour, sharp photographic imagery, clear typography, and excellent overall display impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5396\" data-end=\"5702\"\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5704\" data-end=\"5724\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5704\" data-end=\"5724\"\u003eReference: F294.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5726\" data-end=\"5806\"\u003ePlease review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5905\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5905\"\u003eThis is an original 1972 Japanese theatrical poster.\u003cbr data-start=\"5862\" data-end=\"5865\"\u003eIt is not a reproduction or a reprint.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5907\" data-end=\"5939\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5907\" data-end=\"5939\"\u003eIt is now over 50 years old.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5941\" data-end=\"5982\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5941\" data-end=\"5982\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57083637072250,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-07-18T090048.663.jpg?v=1784333092","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/the-legend-of-frenchie-king-%e8%8f%af%e9%ba%97%e3%81%aa%e3%82%8b%e5%af%be%e6%b1%ba-original-japanese-movie-poster-1972-b2-size-51-5-72-8-cm-f294","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}