Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl marked the studio's leap from theme-park ride to blockbuster franchise. Directed by Gore Verbinski and led by Johnny Depp's unconventional performance, the film revived swashbuckling adventure for a new generation and became a defining piece of early 2000s studio filmmaking, spawning a long-running series and reshaping how Disney approached live-action tentpoles.
This cell centers on Captain Jack Sparrow, the character whose eccentric charm and cunning made the franchise a cultural phenomenon. Named twice, as captain and as Jack Sparrow, the cell speaks to his dual identity throughout the story, the roguish pirate captain and the man beneath the legend. For collectors, Sparrow frames are among the most sought after from this era, representing the character's introduction into film history. A 35mm cell bearing his name preserves a physical piece of that founding moment on celluloid.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with an analogue stereo print; Dolby Digital data blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge.
Edge print
Edge print reads mirrored as captured; characters resolve to: 2383 969 208 I 60 KOO.4K H 00 02 29 03 H
Base & colour
Base shows a light cyan-blue tint typical of a colour print stock; the dye image appears neutral with no visible red shift or fading.
Projection history
Light longitudinal lines consistent with projection are visible across the frame area; no splices or cue marks are seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, and the costuming and setting are consistent with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Era check
The combination of analogue variable-area optical track, apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, cyan-base colour stock, and key-number format is consistent with a theatrical release print from the early 2000s.
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 000063445
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
