Japanese poster for The Man from Hong Kong

The Japanese poster for The Man from Hong Kong (1975) is a perfect example of why a film's poster is such an important part of generating buzz for its international marketing campaign. It gives an enticing glimpse into the colourful action and drama Japanese audiences could expect from director Brian Trenchard-Smith, but also illustrates how a local film was marketed overseas. The poster includes an illustration of Jimmy Wang Yu (Inspector Fang) dodging a large explosion while flying on a paraglider over Sydney – showing off the stunts and locations that would be on offer. Jimmy Wang Yu was actually injured during filming when his hang glider crashed into rocks in Sydney Harbour. He fell 100 feet from the glider onto a sand dune, was knocked unconscious, and missed two days of filming as a result. 

It wasn't the only incident on the shoot: car chases were filmed on open roads without official permissions or permits, and during the final fight, actor George Lazenby performed a stunt where his character catches fire and continues fighting – only for it to go wrong when he was unable to remove his burning jacket. The take showing him struggle was kept in the final film and Lazenby sustained minor burns to his arm. The movie was partially inspired by James Bond films, reflected in several elements: this Bond-style panoramic action poster, casting Lazenby as the co-lead (a former Bond in 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), a villain's penthouse lair reminiscent of Diamonds Are Forever (1971), a key action scene at Uluru, multiple love interests for the hero, a Bond-like theme song ('Sky High' by Jigsaw), and an opening training camp sequence similar to From Russia with Love (1963).