This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 1962 for the first Japanese release of The Longest Day (史上最大の作戦), Darryl F. Zanuck’s epic recreation of D-Day—still regarded as one of the most ambitious and influential war films ever produced.
Film background
Released at the height of the big-screen roadshow era, The Longest Day dramatises the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944, weaving together multiple fronts—air, sea, and ground—through an extraordinary ensemble cast spanning American, British, French, and German perspectives. Directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, and Bernhard Wicki (with additional direction credited to Gerd Oswald), the film’s scale and logistical realism set a benchmark for later WWII cinema. It remains a cornerstone title for collectors of classic war epics and 1960s international cinema.
Poster design
A striking, period-perfect Japanese design that balances bold typography with documentary urgency. The massive red title 「史上最大の作戦」 (“The Greatest Operation in History”) dominates the upper field, while the central combat image captures the chaos of the landings with a cinematic, almost photojournalistic feel. The border of monochrome character portraits is a superb graphic device—framing the action like a roll call of the film’s legendary cast and giving the poster a distinctive “gallery wall” presence. A standout piece of early-1960s Japanese poster design for a major Hollywood roadshow release.
Condition
Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 60 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
