On Any Sunday

Artist: Thomas William Chantrell
Format: UK Quad (30"x 40")
Condition: Excellent
Year: 1971

Description

Directed by Bruce Brown, "On Any Sunday" is now widely considered one of the greatest motorcycle documentaries of all time. Made in 1971, Brown's film centres on the lives of motorcycle racers and racing enthusiasts, including noted racing fanatic Steve McQueen. Performing many of his own motor-related stunts and regularly competing in races himself, McQueen helped to finance the film through his "Solar Productions Company". He was also able to use his star power to the film's advantage, helping Brown to get access to otherwise 'off-limit' areas. The final, famous shot of riders driving off into the sunset on a beach was filmed on a Marine base that McQueen had got the crew permission to film on.

The Quad poster, designed by Chantrell, captures the gritty excitement of the sport whilst also taking advantage of McQueen's pulling power. Given its low budget and the specialised nature of the film, it was distributed in the UK by exploitation specialists Tigon Films, The print run for the film poster was small & as this particular example is an unfolded Chantrell "proof" copy, it is a genuine rarity. Chantrell's designs for other racing films, such as "Vanishing Point" (image courtesy of www.moviepostermem.com) may be more detailed, colourful andexuberant however his work on "On Any Sunday" retains an element of the realism associated with the documentary form. This is similarly reflected in an 'orange-style' US 1-Sheet for the film, displayed below (courtesy of emovieposter.com). The posters share similar simple-though-striking and gritty-though-stylistic imagery that is befitting of the film's artistic and influential standing.