“The Troops of St. Tropez” / 「大混戦」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1967, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) T117

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster from the 1967 Japanese release of Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez / The Troops of St. Tropez / 「大混戦」, directed by Jean Girault and starring Louis de Funès.

Released in Japan by Towa, the film introduced Japanese audiences to the first instalment of the celebrated Gendarme comedy series, following an overzealous policeman whose determination to enforce the law creates chaos in the fashionable seaside resort of Saint-Tropez.

The Japanese poster captures the film’s exuberant humour through an enormous portrait of de Funès surrounded by beach scenes, speeding vehicles, road signs and playful photographic vignettes.

Film background

The story follows Ludovic Cruchot, a fiercely conscientious gendarme whose promotion takes him from a quiet rural posting to Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera.

Arriving with his daughter Nicole, Cruchot immediately begins applying the rules with an enthusiasm that unsettles both the townspeople and his more easygoing colleagues. His superior, Gerber, soon discovers that keeping this energetic newcomer under control may be harder than policing the resort itself.

Cruchot’s efforts to pursue local nudists provide a succession of elaborate comic confrontations. Meanwhile, Nicole embraces the town’s youthful social scene, inventing a more glamorous background to impress her new friends and drawing her father into further complications.

When the theft of a valuable painting introduces a genuine criminal investigation, the seaside misunderstandings develop into a lively combination of pursuit, mistaken identities and physical comedy.

The film was directed by Jean Girault, with a story by Richard Balducci and screenplay adaptation by Girault and Jacques Vilfrid.

The principal cast includes:

Louis de Funès
Geneviève Grad
Michel Galabru
Jean Lefebvre
Christian Marin
France Rumilly

Cinematography was by Marc Fossard, with music composed by Raymond Lefebvre. The film’s success led to five further adventures featuring Cruchot and his fellow gendarmes.

Poster design

This lively Japanese design places Louis de Funès at the centre of an expansive photographic montage.

Dressed in his pale uniform and dark képi, Cruchot leans forward with his mouth open and arms spread wide. Binoculars hang across his chest, while his exaggerated expression immediately establishes the film’s comic character.

A bright yellow sun and sweeping blue lines animate the pale background. Across the upper right, an oversized pistol barrel introduces a humorous suggestion of danger.

At the left, a large portrait of Geneviève Grad is accompanied by smaller character photographs. Beachgoers and a bikini-clad woman occupy the opposite side, connecting the composition to the film’s sunny Riviera setting.

The lower montage introduces a red convertible, a tilted vehicle, a compact car and a tractor. Their contrasting scales create a deliberately bustling impression of motoring confusion.

A directional sign reading:

“SAINT-TROPEZ”

appears beside a circular traffic sign, while a red triangular “STOP” sign reinforces the policing theme. A heart-shaped beach photograph adds another playful detail.

The original French title:

“LE GENDARME DE SAINT TROPEZ”

appears within a small rectangular inset over Cruchot’s uniform.

The enormous Japanese title:

「大混戦」

dominates the bottom in vivid red lettering. Its bold, angular forms give the poster strong visual impact and balance the crowded montage above.

The headline across the top reads:

「名画を狙う大泥棒もヌーディストクラブもいっせい検挙！その名も高き“モーレツ警部”の大活躍！」

Translated:

“Art thieves and nudist clubs rounded up in one swoop! The famous ‘whirlwind inspector’ springs into action!”

The lower billing also promotes de Funès through his association with the Fantômas series. Towa branding, the director’s credit, and the colour and widescreen presentation details complete the design.

Condition

Very Good+ condition.

Small pinholes are present, including those shown in the detailed photograph, with slight creasing around some of the punctures. 

The front retains strong colour, clear photographic detail and vivid red title lettering. Once framed, this poster will display excellently.

Reference: T117.

Please review all photographs, including the detailed image and reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese theatrical poster from the film’s 1967 Japanese release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 59 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.