Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace arrived in 1999 through Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox, the first new Star Wars film in sixteen years and the opening chapter of the prequel trilogy. Its release was a cultural event, reintroducing audiences to a galaxy shaped by anticipation and nostalgia, and it set the stage for the saga's exploration of the Jedi Order's decline and the rise of the Sith. For collectors, this era marks the franchise's return to theaters and its expansion into new mythology.
This 35mm cell preserves a moment between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul, two figures whose confrontation defines the film's central duel and the reintroduction of the Sith as active threats. Obi-Wan, played by Ewan McGregor, represents the Jedi lineage central to the saga, while Ray Park's Darth Maul stands as one of the era's most striking antagonists. A cell like this captures a defining clash, valued by collectors for representing the intensity and consequence of that encounter.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched holes appear cleanly defined with no visible tearing or distortion.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs along the lower edge beside the picture; Dolby Digital data blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps, consistent with a theatrical release print of this era.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text clearly.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye image shows good colour saturation with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No visible splices, cue marks, or significant scratching are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a lightsaber duel sequence from the film on record.
Era check
The combination of bilateral variable-area optical track, apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, and colour stock is consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print.
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 000064079
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
