Godzilla/ Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), poster, first Italian release (1957)

Godzilla/ Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), poster, first Italian release (1957)

Artist: Alberto Spagnoli (dates unknown)

Unframed: 55 x 39 in. (140 x 99 cm)

Alberto Spagnoli created a magnificent poster for the film's Italian release, with a foreboding Godzilla dominating the poster. His use of colour also adds to the dramatic impact of this piece.

Exceptionally rare. This is only the second example of this poster to have surfaced in over twenty years.

When it comes to film, one of Japan's most famous exports is undoubtedly this sci-fi blockbuster featuring ravenous monsters. The original Godzilla film was released in Japan in 1954. Two years later this film was released in the US and worldwide, titled Gorilla King of the Monsters. It was the same as the original film, but to make it more attractive to an American audience, extra scenes were added, starring Raymond Burr. This 1956 re-worked release of the film had a lukewarm reception in Japan, owing to the popularity of the 1954 version.