“Tokyo Olympiad” (東京オリンピック), Original Japanese First-Release Movie Poster 1965, Abebe Bikila Marathon Design, B2 Size (c. 51 × 73 cm) ZA1265

An original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Kon Ichikawa’s Tokyo Olympiad, the official documentary of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games, released in Japan by Toho on 20 March 1965. The photograph shows Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila, wearing race number 17, running alone on the track at Tokyo’s National Stadium on his way to a second Olympic marathon gold. 

In Excellent condition, with the white Japanese title sharply defined against the packed grandstand and the red of the running track retaining its colour.

Film background

Four years after winning the Rome marathon barefoot, Bikila arrived in Tokyo as defending champion. On 21 October 1964, he became the first athlete to win the Olympic marathon twice, setting a world best of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 11.2 seconds. Ichikawa makes the race one of the film’s closing sequences, following Bikila closely enough for the audience to see his expression as he runs. 

Poster design

The spectators fill almost the entire photograph. Bikila appears low on the sheet, framed by the white curve of the inside lane, with open track around him. His white running shoes and the number on his vest stand out against the cinder surface. The Japanese title descends in large white characters along the left edge.

The cream panel at right carries Yusaku Kamekura’s red sun and gold Olympic rings, with TOKYO OLYMPIAD printed beneath. Below a black silhouette of a motion-picture camera, the poster credits the filmmaker. 

「総監督・市川崑」
“Director-in-chief: Kon Ichikawa.”

Condition

Excellent overall. Please review the front and reverse photographs for the full condition.

An original vintage Japanese theatrical poster from Toho’s 1965 first release.
Over 61 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.