Vintage original 31.5 x 47.25 in. "country of origin" French half grande poster from the French teens WWI-themed war drama, J'ACCUSE, released in 1919 by Pathé and directed by Abel Gance. The cast includes Romuald Joubé, Maxime Desjardins, Séverin-Mars, Angèle Guys, Maryse Dauvray, and Mancini.

The dramatic design features artwork by Misti and depcits the lead character, Jean Diaz (Romuald Joubé), standing next to the body of his deceased mother (Mancini) lying inside of their home as he points at his decorated military jacket that is covering her body. He is accusing the subject of war for his mother's death as well as for all of the other problems caused by world conflicts.

This French poster is a  stone lithograph, which produces very fine details and rich, bold colors. Professionally linen-backed, it is in very fine condition with very slight color touch-up applied to the folds. The poster also had a minor horizontal crease towards the center, a minor chip in the right border, and a mild tear in Romuald Joubés sleeve. There are unaddressed tax and ink stamps in the upper background, one of which is dated May 12, 1919 (the film was originally released in France on April 25, 1919).

Abel Gance was one of the greatest directors of the silent era and the leader in French cinema when he made this film, shot on the actual battle fields and in the trenches of World War I. Utilizing a standard storyline of two men who love a single woman, and setting it against a backdrop of brutal violence, Gance was able to make his statement and condemnation of war. The final sequence, where the dead rise up and "accuse" all those who have betrayed them, or let them down by the follies of battle, made Gance an international sensation. In fact, there were 2,000 soldiers used to film this sequence, all of whom were on leave from the front at Verdun. When they returned to front, just after shooting this scene for Gance, over 80% were killed in action. 

This is a very rare poster from a landmark film of the French cinema and one of the greatest anti-war films ever made. 

FF3