{"product_id":"willard-original-release-japanese-movie-poster-1972-b2-size-51-73-cm-q29","title":"“Willard”, Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1972, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) Q29","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"82\" data-end=\"570\"\u003eThis is an original Japanese B2 poster printed in 1972 for the first Japanese theatrical release of \u003cem data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"191\"\u003eWillard\u003c\/em\u003e (ウイラード), the cult American horror film directed by Daniel Mann and based on Stephen Gilbert’s novel \u003cem data-start=\"292\" data-end=\"312\"\u003eRatman’s Notebooks\u003c\/em\u003e. Original Japanese posters for \u003cem data-start=\"344\" data-end=\"353\"\u003eWillard\u003c\/em\u003e are notably scarcer than posters for more mainstream studio horror titles of the period, and this example has particularly strong visual appeal thanks to its bold Japanese typography and unsettling rat-swarm imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"572\" data-end=\"1197\"\u003eFilm background\u003cbr data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"590\"\u003eReleased in Japan in 1972, \u003cem data-start=\"617\" data-end=\"626\"\u003eWillard\u003c\/em\u003e stars \u003cstrong data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"650\"\u003eBruce Davison\u003c\/strong\u003e in the title role, alongside \u003cstrong data-start=\"680\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eSondra Locke\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"698\" data-end=\"717\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eErnest Borgnine\u003c\/strong\u003e, and Elsa Lanchester. The film tells the story of a lonely, socially isolated young man who forms a bond with rats and gradually turns that relationship into a weapon against those who torment him. With its mixture of psychological unease, revenge narrative, and animal horror, \u003cem data-start=\"996\" data-end=\"1005\"\u003eWillard\u003c\/em\u003e became one of the most memorable genre films of the early 1970s and later developed a substantial cult following. It also helped establish the rat-horror cycle that would continue with \u003cem data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1196\"\u003eBen\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1873\"\u003ePoster design\u003cbr data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1215\"\u003eThis is a superb original Japanese release design and far more visually dramatic than many Western campaign materials for the film. The upper half is dominated by a close-up image of Willard holding one of his rats, while the lower section descends into a dense, almost overwhelming mass of rodents, creating an immediate sense of menace. The brightly coloured katakana title cuts across the centre with tremendous impact, contrasting sharply against the dark background. Smaller inset figures and Japanese copy reinforce the film’s suspense and psychological tension. Overall, it is a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1836\"\u003estriking and highly collectible\u003c\/strong\u003e piece of 1970s horror poster design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"2332\"\u003eCondition\u003cbr data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1887\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1975\"\u003eVery Good \/ Excellent. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.\u003c\/strong\u003e The poster presents very strongly overall, with rich colour and excellent display appeal. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2334\" data-end=\"2439\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIt is over 50 years old!\u003cbr data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"2361\"\u003eIt is not a reproduction or a reprint.\u003cbr data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2402\"\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56776210350458,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-04-08T081848.504.jpg?v=1775603947","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/willard-original-release-japanese-movie-poster-1972-b2-size-51-73-cm-q29","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}