COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT
TITLE: Colossus: The Forbin Project
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YEAR: 1970
FILM STUDIO: Universal Pictures
DIRECTOR: Joseph Sargent
CAST: Eric Braeden, Susan Clark, Gordon Pinsent, William Schallert, Georg Stanford Brown
TAGLINE: “They created a monster... and now must fight it for the safety of mankind.”
GENRE: Science Fiction / Thriller — Universal currently classifies the film as Thriller, Sci-Fi, Suspense. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
POSTER PRINTER: M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd.
POSTER DESIGN FEATURES:
Original Australian Daybill with a striking late-1960s/early-1970s graphic design. The upper section uses stark black, white and yellow imagery, including a large radiating circular pattern surrounding a silhouetted embrace and a vertical strip of repeated photographic frames. The title COLOSSUS is rendered in oversized magenta block lettering, contrasted against bold black typography for The Forbin Project. The poster also carries the dramatic line “This is the dawning of the age of Colossus” and the Australian “Not Suitable for Children” classification device. The supplied example clearly shows the M.A.P.S. Litho Pty. Ltd. printer credit at lower right.
COLLECTOR’S NOTES:
Colossus: The Forbin Project is based on D. F. Jones’s 1966 novel Colossus and follows a supercomputer given control of America’s nuclear defence system, only to join forces with its Soviet counterpart and impose its own rule over humanity. AFI Catalog
The film has become particularly notable for its early treatment of artificial intelligence, automated warfare and computer control, themes that now feel remarkably prescient. It was also the first production in which German-born actor Hans Gudegast used the screen name Eric Braeden, under which he later became widely known. AFI Catalog
For collectors, this Australian Daybill has additional appeal because of its unusual graphic treatment, bold colour palette and strong connection to early cinematic depictions of artificial intelligence.
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.