ROLLERBALL
TITLE: Rollerball
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YEAR: 1975
FILM STUDIO: Algonquin Films / United Artists
DIRECTOR: Norman Jewison
CAST: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley, Ralph Richardson
TAGLINE: “In the not too distant future, wars will no longer exist. But there will be Rollerball.”
GENRE: Science Fiction / Drama — AFI classifies the film as Science Fiction, Drama. AFI Catalog
POSTER PRINTER: M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd.
POSTER DESIGN FEATURES:
Original Australian Daybill with a dark, futuristic photographic composition. The upper section features the distinctive ROLLERBALL title in stark white geometric lettering above a dramatic close-up of Jonathan E in spiked helmet and glove. The central image emphasises the brutal equipment of the fictional sport, while the lower section contrasts this with figures in formal attire and the film’s famous dystopian tagline. The supplied poster clearly carries the M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd. printer credit at lower right.
COLLECTOR’S NOTES:
Rollerball is based on William Harrison’s short story “Roller Ball Murder”, with Harrison also writing the screenplay. Norman Jewison and his team developed the fictional sport by combining elements of roller derby, hockey, football, motorcycle racing and judo. AFI Catalog
James Caan stars as Jonathan E, the dominant player in a future society where corporations have replaced nations and violent mass entertainment helps maintain social control. The film has become a key example of 1970s dystopian science fiction, with its commentary on corporate power, individual identity and televised violence remaining central to its cult reputation. AFI Catalog
For collectors, the Australian Daybill has strong appeal across James Caan, Norman Jewison, dystopian cinema, science-fiction and cult-film collecting, particularly because of its menacing close-up imagery and very 1970s graphic treatment.
PROVENANCE:
This original Australian cinema poster is being sold directly by the family of its original collector, a projectionist who screened films during their Australian theatrical release. It is supplied with documented provenance and a Certificate of Authenticity confirming its originality and collection history, providing a direct connection between the poster and its working Australian cinema past.