Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Universal Pictures released The Fast and the Furious in 2001, a modest summer action picture built around illegal street racing culture that quickly became a launchpad for one of the studio's most durable franchises. Directed by Rob Cohen, it introduced a cast and sensibility that would expand across two decades of sequels, turning a B-movie premise into a global brand. Its low-budget origins and surprise box office success make it a touchstone for collectors tracing how a franchise begins.
This cell centers on Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, the character whose presence anchors the entire series that follows. As the figure around whom the franchise's family, loyalty, and street racing themes were built, Toretto is among the most sought subjects from this era. A 35mm cell bearing his name preserves a piece of the film's original theatrical run, a physical fragment from the moment this character and this saga first reached audiences.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical colour release print of The Fast and the Furious (2001).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on the upper edge; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on the upper edge; lower edge perforations are partially obscured by the soundtrack area but appear present; spacing looks even and punches appear clean.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along the lower edge, appearing as a dual bilateral variable-area (stereo) track with what appears to be a Dolby Digital data block strip in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight blue-cyan tint consistent with a colour print stock; the dye image reads as warm-toned with no obvious red shift or fading.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks or cue marks are discernible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with a theatrical release print of the film on record.
Era check
The dual bilateral variable-area optical track combined with apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a theatrical release print from the early 2000s, matching the 2001 release date of the film on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000062862
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
