“The Sand Pebbles”, Original First‑Release Japanese Movie Poster 1967, Ultra Rare, B1 Size (c.72.8 × 103 cm), Rolled on Thick Stock

This is an original, rolled Japanese B1 theatrical poster printed in 1967 for the first Japanese release of Robert Wise’s The Sand Pebbles (20th Century‑Fox). Issued on heavy/thick stock for outdoor front‑of‑house display—essentially a mini billboard used at cinemas and major transit hubs—this large B1 format is dramatically rarer than the standard B2. It is not a reproduction or later printing—this is a true 1967 first‑issue sheet for the roadshow engagement of Wise’s Yangtze‑Patrol epic starring Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna, and Candice Bergen (with Mako).

Translations of the Japanese text and marks on the poster:

• Top red headline: 「『サウンド・オブ・ミュージック』『ウエスト・サイド物語』の巨匠ロバート・ワイズが全世界に呼びかける永遠の名作！」
  → “From Robert Wise—the maestro of The Sound of Music and West Side Story*—a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the whole world!”*

• Left block: 「70mm PANAVISION／総天然色」
  → “70mm Panavision / in full natural color.” (roadshow presentation)

• Massive red title: 「砲艦サンパブロ」 (Hōkan San Paburo — “Gunboat San Pablo,” the long‑standing Japanese release title).

• Right vertical credits (selection): スティーブ・マックィーン (Steve McQueen); ロバート・ワイズ 製作・監督 (Produced & Directed by Robert Wise); キャンディス・バーゲン (Candice Bergen); リチャード・アッテンボロー (Richard Attenborough); リチャード・クレンナ (Richard Crenna); マコ (Mako); 脚本 ロバート・アンダーソン (Screenplay: Robert Anderson); 音楽 ジェリー・ゴールドスミス (Music: Jerry Goldsmith); 原作 リチャード・マッケンナ (From the novel by Richard McKenna).

• Studio/imprint marks: 20th Century‑Fox logo at lower left; Eirin (映倫) classification seal and number present.

About the film:
Wise’s large‑scale 1920s China river‑gunboat drama blends romance and moral conflict with meticulously staged action. It earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Steve McQueen and Best Supporting Actor for Mako, with an acclaimed score by Jerry Goldsmith—all reflected in the prestige 70mm roadshow campaign promoted on this poster.

Design notes:
A commanding, Japan‑only layout in wide, landscape B1: an immense close‑up of McQueen’s machinist Jake Holman at left, rifle angled across the composition; the San Pablo sits moored on a steel‑blue river at dusk; a photo‑montage of principals (Bergen, Attenborough, Crenna) anchors the right; the battleship‑shaped silhouette cuts through the giant red kanji title 砲艦サンパブロ. English THE SAND PEBBLES appears at lower left above the Fox imprint. The 70mm banner and Eirin seal authenticate this as a first‑release roadshow sheet.

It is 58 years old!
Condition: Excellent, rolled and on thick stock (as issued for outdoor/transport‑hub display). Paper is strong with vivid inks and good surface gloss. Minor age‑toning at extreme edges, a few small handling waves and tiny edge nicks from storage—nothing that distracts; no folds; not linen‑backed. Please see the photos—the images show the exact poster you will receive.

A scarce, large‑format Japanese B1 from the 1967 first release—highly desirable for Steve McQueen collectors, naval/war cinema aficionados, and fans of Japanese poster design.

Certificate of Authenticity included.