After Hours 1987 Polish B1 Film Poster, Andrzej Pagowski

The fantastic Polish poster for After Hours, Martin Scorsese’s cult 1980s classic, stands as a striking example of the celebrated tradition of Polish poster art. Designed by renowned artist Andrzej Pągowski, the artwork is wonderfully dark, surreal, and unsettling, perfectly echoing the strange, nightmarish atmosphere of the film itself.

Polish film posters developed a unique visual identity in the post-war period, particularly during the 1950s through the 1980s, when artists were given unusual creative freedom compared to their Western counterparts. Rather than relying on straightforward photographs of actors or scenes from the film, designers approached posters as independent works of art — often using symbolism, abstraction, satire, and painterly expression to capture the emotional essence of a movie rather than simply advertise it. This movement became known internationally as the “Polish School of Posters,” with artists such as Henryk Tomaszewski, Jan Lenica, and later Pągowski transforming commercial design into a highly respected art form.

Pągowski’s poster for After Hours embodies this tradition perfectly. Its bizarre imagery and shadowy composition feel less like conventional film marketing and more like a psychological interpretation of the movie’s chaotic descent into paranoia and absurdity. The result is a poster that not only promotes the film but deepens its mythology, demonstrating why Polish posters remain some of the most collectible and influential examples of graphic design in cinema history.

This original vintage movie poster is sized 26 1/4 x 37inches and in fantastic condition. It will be sent rolled (unframed). 

• Year: 1987
  
• Poster Type: Polish B1
  
• Style: -
• Art By:  Andrzej Pagowski
  
• Rolled/Folded/Other: Folded/Rolled
  
• Condition: Near Mint/Mint
• Condition Details: Folded as originally issued bur stored flat so folds softened. Very light handling.