Empire of the Sun (Imperio del Sol) – 1987 Original Argentine One-Sheet Movie Poster | Steven Spielberg | Christian Bale, John Malkovich

Description:

Offered here is an original 1987 Argentine one-sheet movie poster for Empire of the Sun (Imperio del Sol), Steven Spielberg’s sweeping World War II epic based on the novel by J.G. Ballard. Starring a young Christian Bale in his breakout role alongside John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson, the film explores innocence, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit through a visually stunning narrative set amid war-torn Shanghai.

This Argentine edition features a beautifully printed design faithful to the international key art—an elegant minimalist composition depicting a boy’s silhouette beneath a blazing sunburst, symbolizing both destruction and hope. The muted color palette and fine lithographic printing make this an especially striking example of 1980s poster craftsmanship from South America.

The reverse shows expected signs of age, with minor toning and a handwritten annotation in pencil/pen:

• “Teatro / Imperio del Sol / 6 1/2 / Subtitulada”

  This note suggests it was used for local theatrical distribution, likely in a repertory or small provincial cinema.

Condition Notes

• Folds: Original tri-fold lines are visible and well-preserved.

• Edges: Slight wear with minor corner pinholes and a small tear at one fold junction.

• Paper Quality: Matte paper with visible print-through due to aging, especially where red/orange ink is heaviest.

• Back: Handwriting adds provenance character, often found on Argentine theatrical-use posters.

  • Printed on thinner paper stock

  • Folded vertically and horizontally

  • Often have no NSS (National Screen Service) markings, but instead include local printer credits, as seen here (“Imp. Edit. L. Gasparini S.R.L.”)

Collector’s Notes

• This is a rare first-release Argentine theatrical poster for Empire of the Sun (1987), printed locally for distribution in Spanish-speaking cinemas.

• Argentine posters are printed in limited runs and are prized for their distinctive minimalist layouts and bold design elements.

• Ideal for collectors of Spielberg memorabilia, foreign-language posters, or war drama classics.

• Highly suitable for archival framing.