Return of the Jedi
Powrót Jedi
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| Poster Origin : | Poland |
| Poster Size : | Polish B1 / 707 x 1000mm |
| Poster Artist : | Witold Dybowski |
| Poster Year : | 1984 |
| Poster Version : | First Release |
| Film Origin : | United States |
| Film Director : | Richard Marquand |
| Film Year : | 1983 |
One of the most graphically violent and dramatic images used for any of the Star Wars films, and surely one which would have never seen the light of day outside of the Eastern Bloc. Cinema in Poland was traditionally treated as an intellectual affair (note how the director gets top billing above the actors), and posters typically favoured more challenging and thought-provoking imagery. Not even child-friendly entertainment films were promoted with cheerful and attractive adverts until the digital age.
Vader’s mask resembles the exploding Death Star, a powerful symbol of the Empire’s destruction. The red embellishments create a demonic appearance, as the stripes down the breast plate suggest dripping blood. The fragments of helmet seem to have blurred, undefined edges to accentuate the sense of movement, making the explosion look more explosive. Compared with the mundane and clichéd images chosen by most countries, this piece is jaw-dropping.