WOODSTOCK (1970) Original Movie Poster Daybill, 3 Days of Peace, Music & Love
Size AU Daybill Post-War (13" x 30")
WOODSTOCK (1970) original Movie Poster Daybill, 3 Days of Peace, Music & Love, Directed by Michael Wadleigh Movie Poster and Condition This Woodstock documentary movie poster Australian Daybill presents in...
WOODSTOCK (1970) original Movie Poster Daybill, 3 Days of Peace, Music & Love, Directed by Michael Wadleigh
Movie Poster and Condition
This Woodstock documentary movie poster Australian Daybill presents in Very Fine condition with some minor edge wear on the right-hand edge (see images for more detail). Printed by M.AP.S. Litho Pty Ltd. This poster is currently stored folded, will be shipped the same, and is stored in an acid free polyprop bag with acid free backing board.
Movie Synopsis
The Woodstock (1970) documentary film captures the essence of one of the most iconic cultural events in modern history—the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Held from 15–18 August 1969 on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, this legendary festival drew over 400,000 people in a celebration of peace, music, and love. Directed by Michael Wadleigh, with editing contributions from a young Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker, the film is a vivid time capsule of the counterculture movement, showcasing unforgettable performances and the spirit of a generation. This Australian Daybill movie poster is a collectible piece of memorabilia that embodies the vibrant energy of that historic moment.
The film documents the festival’s highs and lows, from logistical challenges like food shortages and muddy fields to the transcendent performances that defined a cultural milestone. Notable acts included Jimi Hendrix, whose electrifying rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” became a symbol of protest and artistry; Janis Joplin, delivering raw, soulful energy; The Who, with their explosive set; and Joan Baez, whose folk anthems resonated deeply with the crowd. Other performers, such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Santana, and Jefferson Airplane, brought diverse sounds that ranged from psychedelic rock to soulful Latin rhythms, cementing Woodstock’s legacy as a musical melting pot.
The documentary, released in 1970, won critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Its innovative use of split-screen techniques, pioneered by Wadleigh and his team, allowed viewers to experience multiple perspectives of the festival simultaneously—performances, crowd reactions, and behind-the-scenes moments. The film’s editors, including Scorsese, crafted a narrative that balanced the music with the festival’s social and cultural significance, highlighting themes of unity, freedom, and rebellion against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era.
Michael Wadleigh, a relatively unknown filmmaker at the time, took on the monumental task of capturing the festival’s sprawling chaos and beauty. His vision, combined with the contributions of assistant editors like Scorsese, elevated the film into a cinematic masterpiece. The production was a logistical feat, with over 16 camera operators, including Wadleigh himself, filming across the festival grounds. Interesting facts about the production include the sheer volume of footage—over 120 hours—whittled down to a three-hour film for its theatrical release. The Director’s Cut, released later, extended the runtime to nearly four hours, including additional performances and interviews.
The Woodstock movie poster itself is a work of art, reflecting the festival’s psychedelic aesthetic. The Australian Daybill, with its vibrant colours and bold design, captures the spirit of the era. Collectors value these posters for their historical significance and rarity, as they were often discarded after theatrical runs. This particular poster, printed by M.AP.S. Litho Pty Ltd, is a rare find in Very Fine condition, making it a must-have for fans of the film, music history, or 1960s counterculture.
The film’s cultural impact cannot be overstated. It preserved the essence of Woodstock for future generations, offering a glimpse into a moment when music and idealism converged. Beyond the performances, the documentary captures candid moments of festival-goers—dancing, sharing food, and embracing the communal vibe. It also addresses the challenges, such as rain-soaked fields turning into mudslides and the strain on local infrastructure. These elements humanise the event, showing both its triumphs and imperfections.
For collectors, owning a Woodstock (1970) movie poster, Daybill or One Sheet, is like holding a piece of history. The Australian Daybill format, measuring approximately 13 x 30 inches, is prized for its compact size and vivid artwork. This poster’s Very Fine condition, with only minor staining, enhances its appeal, as pristine examples are increasingly rare. Whether you’re a fan of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or the counterculture movement, this poster is a tangible connection to an era-defining event.
The film also features contributions from lesser-known but equally talented performers, such as Richie Havens, whose soulful opening set included the improvised “Freedom,” and Country Joe and the Fish, whose anti-war anthem resonated with the crowd. The diversity of the lineup, from folk to rock to blues, showcased the breadth of musical talent in 1969. The film’s soundtrack, released alongside the movie, became a bestseller, further cementing Woodstock’s place in popular culture.
For those interested in the technical aspects, the film’s sound design was groundbreaking. Recorded in stereo, it captured the raw energy of live performances, making viewers feel as though they were at the festival. The editing team, including Thelma Schoonmaker, meticulously synced audio and visuals, creating a seamless experience. This attention to detail makes the Woodstock documentary not just a film but an immersive journey.
Owning this Woodstock (1970) Australian Daybill poster is an opportunity to celebrate a pivotal moment in music and cultural history. Its vibrant design and historical significance make it a standout addition to any collection, whether you’re a cinephile, music enthusiast, or collector of movie memorabilia.
Special Notes
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.