“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (サブウェイ・パニック), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1975, 1974 Film, Double-Sided B3 Size (36 × 51 cm) N80A

This is an original Japanese double-sided B3 poster printed for the first Japanese theatrical release of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (サブウェイ・パニック), Joseph Sargent’s tense 1974 New York subway hijacking thriller. Released in Japan in 1975 by United Artists, the film stars Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, and Earl Hindman.

This is a particularly desirable Japanese release format: a double-sided B3 poster / press-style theatrical sheet, with dramatic colour artwork on the front and dense Japanese promotional material printed on the reverse.

Film background
Based on John Godey’s novel, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three follows four armed men who hijack a New York subway train and demand a one-million-dollar ransom. If the city fails to deliver the money within the deadline, they will begin killing passengers one by one.

Walter Matthau plays transit police lieutenant Zachary Garber, whose dry intelligence and calm negotiating style contrast sharply with Robert Shaw’s cold, disciplined hijacker Mr. Blue. The film is now regarded as one of the great urban thrillers of the 1970s, combining procedural detail, New York grit, mordant humour, and David Shire’s unforgettable jazz-funk score.

Poster design
This Japanese B3 design is a superb example of 1970s imported thriller advertising. The front is split between two powerful visual ideas: on the left, a stark black subway tunnel recedes into darkness, creating an immediate sense of danger and claustrophobia; on the right, a dynamic colour illustration shows the hijacked subway carriage in chaos, with passengers thrown into panic as an armed gunman dominates the frame.

The orange vertical Japanese tagline reads:

「地下鉄のハイジャックに始まり 白昼のニューヨークを襲った 凄まじい連続パニック！」

roughly:

“Beginning with a subway hijacking, a terrifying chain of panic strikes New York in broad daylight!”

At the lower left, the Japanese title サブウェイ・パニック is printed in sharp red lettering, giving the poster strong visual force. The front also notes the film’s 1974 San Sebastián Film Festival Director’s Award, while the English countdown-style copy at right preserves the film’s famous structure:

One: armed men hijack the subway.
Two: the city is given one hour to deliver the ransom.
Three: passengers will be killed one by one until the ransom is paid.

The reverse is especially important: it contains Japanese synopsis text, cast and crew information, publicity copy, stills, and production notes, making this much more than a standard one-sided poster. It functioned as both a display item and a promotional reference piece for cinemas and press use.

Condition
Very Good vintage condition. Please review the photos; they show the exact poster for sale.

This poster is an original Japanese theatrical B3 from the first Japanese release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 51 years old!

Certificate of Authenticity included.