Barbarella (1968) Poster, Czechoslovakian, First Czechoslovakian release 1971

Barbarella (1968) Poster, Czechoslovakian, First Czechoslovakian release 1971

Artist: Kája Saudek (1935-2015)

Unframed: 33 x 23 in. (84 x 58 cm)

Kája Saudek was known as the 'King of Czech comic books', as he was a one of the top Czech comic artists. He was also a graphic designer. His design for this piece brilliantly portrays Jane Fonda as Barbarella. The film was based on the French comic series of the same name by Jean-Claude Forest, so it is very fitting that Saudek was chosen to design the Czech poster.

This design was used on two different size Czech posters. This one and a smaller format piece. This larger poster is exceptionally rare and hardly ever surfaces.

This 60s science fiction film was directed by Roger Vadim, and was based on the comic series of the same name by Jean-Claude Forest. Vadim tried to cast various actors in the title role, including Virna Lisi, Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren, before casting his then-wife Jane Fonda as the space-traveller Barbarella.