A cult artifact of 1970s counterculture and surf cinema, this original 1972 poster for The Freedom Riders captures the spirit of rebellion, freedom, and sensuality that defined the era. The film, directed by Bruce Dowse, features iconic surfers George Greenough and Wayne Lynch, two pioneers of radical, soul-driven wave-riding, whose styles broke from the competitive norms of the sport and embraced a more expressive, spiritual connection with the ocean.
Shot in color and set to a powerful soundtrack featuring Led Zeppelin, the film is as much a visual and sonic journey as it is a chronicle of surf life. It stands as a seminal piece of Australian surf history, frequently hailed as one of the finest examples of the genre. The quote topping the poster—“Best Australian SURF MOVIE yet! A first class achievement.”—reflects the film’s critical acclaim at the time.
The poster’s stark visual—a black-and-white photograph of a nude woman walking into the surf—boldly merges the natural and the erotic, aligning with the free love ethos of the 1970s. The typography is distinctly era-specific, with a striking contrast between the heavy monochrome layout and the bold pink title text that reads: THE FREEDOM RIDERS.
Released by Associated Screen Arts and printed by MAPS Litho Pty. Ltd., this original one-sheet is both rare and highly collectible—not only for surf enthusiasts, but also for admirers of vintage cinema and radical graphic design.
A true slice of countercultural cool, this poster evokes the unfiltered energy of a time when surfing was more than sport—it was revolution.
Cinema - Surfing - Australia
Music by Led Zeppelin
Printed by M.A.P.S.
Good condition, creases
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