Film
Sink the Bismarck
1960
UK Quad / Single Sided / (30" x 40"), Printed in England by The Haydock Press Ltd. London
British / UK
Very Fine minus ; originally folded (as issued)
Lewis Gilbert
Carl Möhner, Dana Wynter, Edward R. Murrow, Karel Stepanek, Kenneth more, Laurence Naismith, Maurice Denham, Michael Goodliffe, Michael Hordern
Truly magnificent all-action naval warfare artwork of the legendary sea battle as the Royal Navy confronted the German warship ‘The Bismarck’…Truly epic, beautiful Eric Pulford artwork of this dramatic World War 2 heroic encounter. This is a very rare original country of origin 1960 first release UK quad film poster for Lewis Gilbert’s “Sink the Bismarck” and Pulford’s imagery is some of the very best war genre artwork you will find on any poster, not just of the epic sea-engagement but a marvellous noble rendering of Kenneth More who plays Captain Shepherd. Folded (as issued) this original unrestored UK quad film poster is from first year of release, 1960 in Britain… A highly popular British ‘war’ title with superb vibrant unfaded colours. An impressive piece and a very rare find, that represents a highly collectable and desirable example of original film memorabilia.
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
When making a film like, “Sink The Bismarck“ it benefits the audience when actual facts of the ship or the events are used in the final cut. This film does just that. It begins with the Christening and launching of the impressive German vessel, Bismarck. The massive battleship which could easily cruise at 30 knots became the pride of Germany and quickly proved her military prowess when encountering the H.M.S. Hood. The Hood was the pride of the British Royal Navy with her Captain and select crew of 1,500 men were well seasoned and experienced. Yet on that fateful day of May 24th, 1941 the two ships came within 15 miles of each other. After several exchanged salvos, the Bismarck with her compliment of 8 fifteen inch guns completely destroyed the British ship leaving only three survivors. This disastrous event is but one of the exceptional battle scenes, superbly recreated by Howard Lydecker and his special effects crew. To add to the creative storyline are the actors which give this movie a superior realism. Kenneth More as Captain Shepard, who along with his naval staff wage war against the Bismarck from their underground command post in war-torn London, where Edward R. Murrow gives the world a blow by blow account of the desperate time. Dana Wynter plays Anne Davis, his able assistant. Carl Möhner is Captain Lindemann, the proud Captain of the Bismarck with Karel Stepanek playing his immediate superior, Admiral Lutjens. Laurence Naismith plays the First Sea Lord. This a great film and a fitting tribute that honours the brave servicemen and women who gave so much when the world needed them.
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Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.
Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.
Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.
Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.
Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.
Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.
Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.
All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.
LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.
HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
