“Thunderbird 6” / 「サンダーバード6号」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 1968, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) D299

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Thunderbird 6 / 「サンダーバード6号」, the second feature-length film based on Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s celebrated Thunderbirds television series.

Produced using the Andersons’ pioneering Supermarionation technique, the film expands the world of International Rescue through spectacular miniature effects, futuristic vehicles, elaborate rescue sequences, and Barry Gray’s distinctive orchestral score.

Film background

International Rescue engineer Brains is commissioned to design a revolutionary luxury airship for the New World Aircraft Corporation. The resulting vessel, Skyship One, begins an ambitious maiden voyage around the world with Lady Penelope, Parker, Tin-Tin, and Alan Tracy among its passengers.

Unknown to them, the crew has been replaced by members of the criminal Black Phantom organisation. Their plan places the passengers in grave danger and forces International Rescue to launch a complex airborne rescue mission.

The film ultimately reveals the unlikely identity of Thunderbird 6: a vintage de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane, proving that older technology can still play a vital role alongside the organisation’s futuristic machines.

Directed by David Lane, the film was produced and written by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, with music by Barry Gray and cinematography by Harry Oakes.

Although released after the height of the original television phenomenon, Thunderbird 6 remains highly regarded by fans for its ambitious miniature work, real aerial photography, elaborate action sequences, and expanded presentation of the International Rescue fleet.

Poster design

The poster uses a spectacular technical montage of the principal Thunderbirds vehicles, shown amid smoke, fire, and explosive action.

At the centre, Skyship One dominates the composition, banking dramatically through a cloud of smoke and flame. Its enormous scale and unusual futuristic design give the poster an immediate sense of danger and spectacle.

Surrounding it are the major International Rescue craft, each individually identified:

Thunderbird 1 – the rapid-response rocket aircraft
Thunderbird 2 – the heavy transport craft
Thunderbird 3 – the red space rocket
Thunderbird 4 – the yellow underwater rescue vehicle
Thunderbird 5 – the orbital communications station

The central placement of the established rescue fleet creates anticipation around the mysterious new machine promised by the film’s title.

The lower portion depicts the launch installations of Tracy Island, surrounded by explosions, missile-like structures, smoke, and mechanical activity.

The large red headline across the top reads:

「天よ轟け！大地よ揺るげ！」

“Roar, heavens! Shake, earth!”

The principal promotional text reads:

「凄いぞサンダーバード！遂にでた第6号！
やって来た大宇宙船！危機一発の大爆発！」

“Amazing Thunderbirds! Number 6 has finally appeared! The great airship has arrived! A gigantic explosion at the moment of crisis!”

The title dominates the upper section:

「サンダーバード6号」

It is rendered in bold orange and red lettering, with the numeral 6 given exceptional scale and visual emphasis.

Beneath it appears the English title:

“THUNDERBIRD 6”

alongside the notation:

「日本語版」

identifying this as the promotional poster for the Japanese-language theatrical version.

Production credits for Technicolor, Techniscope, Sylvia Anderson, David Lane, Barry Gray, and Harry Oakes appear at upper left, followed by the Japanese voice cast and the United Artists distribution mark.

Release note

This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release in 1968 and distributed in Japan by United Artists.

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition

Excellent condition. A highly attractive example, with vivid colour, sharp vehicle imagery, clear typography, and excellent overall display impact.

There are light signs of age and handling consistent with an original Japanese theatrical poster from this period, but overall it presents extremely well.

Reference: D299.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1968 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 55 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.