There is undoubtedly a prevalence of the colour yellow in UK quads we consider to be grail posters. We look at 3 of these grail posters and 3 more attainable alternatives that can be purchased on the Cinema Poster Gallery site.
There is little explanation needed for why Dr. No (1967) UK quad
poster is so covetable. A copy in any kind of reasonable condition cannot be obtained for under £10,000 and a copy sold in Sotheby’s last year for £87,500 ex fees pushing the cost price into 6 figures. A Dr. No poster from the film’s first 1967 release in any country generally trade for over a £1000. However in a boon to collectors, in the 1980s Eon Production decided to re-print the US posters for all the Sean Connery and some Roger Moore movies. This was thought to be in reaction to the initial success of ‘Never Say Never Again’ (a non-Eon produced Bond movie starring Connery) released in the same year as Octopussy. A Dr. No 1980s re-strike can be purchased on the site here.
Enter the Dragon (1973) may the most famous martial arts movie of all time and the UK quad instantly draws the viewer in. Bruce Lee, in his last movie prior to his untimely death, in pose with nunchaku takes centre stage. Supporting characters Williams and Han also feature in this brilliant poster.
A number of posters were printed to promote the 2003 and 2004 releases of Kill Bill and Kill Bill Volume 2 but in my mind this Kill Bill Volume 1 (2001) UK Quad Poster the best. The Bride (Uma Thurman) borrows Bruce Lee’s yellow jumpsuit and poses with a Samurai sword.
A Lawrence of Arabia (1962) UK quad poster for the film’s first release is highly sought after and like a Dr. No first release quad poster will fetch £10,000. The design is simple but brilliant – a yellow background portrays the blistering heat of the desert sky while Lawrence wearing trademark keffiyeh is portrayed in the foreground using a black and white design.
This brilliant multi-Oscar film was understandably hugely successful was subsequently re-release in 1971. Â The Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) UK Quad 1971 Re-release uses largely the same design as the poster from the film’s first release.
