Shrek arrived from DreamWorks Animation in 2001, a computer-animated feature that broke from Disney-style fairy tale convention to build its comedy on genre parody and pop culture wit. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, it became a cultural touchstone, launching a franchise and helping cement DreamWorks as a major animation studio in direct competition with the animation establishment. Its marketing campaign, including theatrical trailers, played a large role in building anticipation for a film that ultimately reshaped audience expectations for animated comedy.
This cell preserves the trailer end card, the closing frame sequence used to deliver release date, studio branding, or final marketing text before audiences left the theater. End cards are prized by collectors because they mark the promotional bookend of a campaign, a piece of exhibition history distinct from the feature print itself. As a physical artifact from a theatrical trailer reel, this cell represents the marketing apparatus surrounding Shrek's debut, a tangible fragment of how the film was introduced to the public in 2001.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release trailer print of Shrek (2001).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single bilateral track.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote alphanumeric key numbers or stock codes with certainty.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight blue-cyan tint consistent with modern safety stock; dye image reads as neutral with no visible red shift or fading.
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible on the strip.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be identical title-card frames from the same held shot, consistent with a trailer countdown or title hold, and the title text and release date match the Shrek 2001 trailer on record.
Era check
The bilateral variable-area optical track, cyan-tinted safety base, and positive release-print presentation are all consistent with a 35mm theatrical trailer print from 2001.
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 000063267
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
