A striking original French Grande cinema poster for ‘Les 39 Marches’ — the 1959 British spy thriller directed by Ralph Thomas, itself a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic adaptation of John Buchan’s novel. Starring Kenneth More and Taina Elg, with supporting roles from Brenda de Banzie and Barry Jones, the film was produced by Betty E. Box and distributed in France by Rank Film Distributors of France.
The poster artwork is a bold, expressionistic composition dominated by a vivid red and black palette. Two dramatically oversized, shackled hands strain against a metal chain, while a silhouetted figure flees up a staircase bathed in red light — perfectly encapsulating the film’s themes of captivity and pursuit. The tagline ‘Humour et Espionnage…’ (Humour and Espionage) adds further intrigue. Printed in Eastmancolor by Ets. St Martin Kel, Paris, the poster measures in the large Grande format, typical of French theatrical display.
This is a highly collectable original theatrical poster from the late 1950s, appealing to fans of Cold War spy cinema, classic British thrillers, and vintage European film poster graphic design. The powerful illustrated artwork gives it strong visual presence as a display piece.
Multiple fold lines visible throughout, consistent with original theatrical folding for storage/distribution. Some creasing and surface undulation at fold intersections. Small areas of paper stress/minor splits at fold crossings visible in detail shots. Minor foxing spots visible in lower left area. No significant tears, tape residue, or pinholes observed. Overall colours appear strong with good vibrancy.
