Film
Universal Soldier
1992
US / International One Sheet / Double Sided / (27" x 40")
Printed in USA for International use
Near Mint minus / Originally Rolled (as issued)
Roland Emmerich
Ally Walker, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tico Wells, Dolph Lundgren, Ed O'Ross, Jerry Orbach
“The ultimate weapons of the future have just declared war… on each other.”
One of the great action movies of the 90s, Roland Emmerich’s “Universal Soldier” saw genetically modified super soldiers (did I mention they’d been brought back from the dead?) Jean-Claude Van Damme Damme and Dolph Lungren battle it out in a series of spectacularly choreographed action set-pieces. Originally rolled (as issued) this eye-catching one-sheet film poster presents and displays to excellent effect and represents a truly desirable piece of sci-fi, action cinematic movie memorabilia.
Trivia: The idea of the eyepieces that the Universal Soldiers wear in the movie was borrowed from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). In that series, The Borg, humans and other alien species that have been assimilated into cyborg creatures wear eyepieces. In the film, the Universal Soldiers are deceased soldiers who have been reanimated and brought back as cyborg commandos.
…more detailVintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +
“An elite team of soldiers has been used against terrorists where they use astounding physical capabilities to overcome them. Victoria, a reporter, follows them and discovers a part of their secret. When one of the team kills her cameraman she tries to escape. Luc, one of the soldiers begins to have flashbacks and turns sides and helps her as the remainder of the team follows to protect their secrets.”
I just want to say that I have a real soft spot for the 80s action heroes that I watched relentlessly when I was growing up. Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Seagal and yes, to some extent, Van Damme. The Muscles from Brussels was always my least favourite but I usually checked out his films. I don’t think any of them are really good but I’ve always liked “Universal Soldier“. Sure, it’s pretty dumb for the most part but it has a distinct advantage over most of his films; it’s also got Dolph Lundgren. Now, I just remember him so vividly in “Rocky IV”, and being as young as I was when I first saw it; I remember cheering him on, and being immensely sad when he lost.
“Universal Soldier“ has a good opener, introducing Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as Vietnam soldiers (Dolph Lundgren a total nut and Van Damme a good soldier) who wind up killing each other. Decades later, they end up becoming part of a zombie ultra military squad who are controlled by the government. But they snap out of it, come to life and go head to head once more, since they have some unfinished business.
Now, the story is no Oscar winner, but it’s fairly original and sets the motion for some great action sequences and a very entertaining good vs. evil battle between Dolph Lundgren and Van Damme. If only the Ally Walker character could have been made a bit more tolerable (and less a cliché) we’d nearly have a total winner.
All in all, the action scenes are great, Dolph Lundgren is terrific, obviously having a field day playing his role and Van Damme is alright, but then again, he’s never been great.
“Universal Soldier“ is Van Damme‘s best film and quite easily recommended for action fans.
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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.
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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.
