Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Released by Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox in 1999, The Phantom Menace returned Star Wars to theaters after a sixteen year absence, launching the prequel trilogy and introducing a new generation to the saga's origins. As the first film shot partly on early digital cameras and built around groundbreaking effects work, it became a cultural event, drawing record crowds and reigniting mainstream interest in the franchise. Its arrival marked a new chapter for Lucasfilm and reshaped blockbuster filmmaking heading into the new millennium, cementing its place as a pivotal release in franchise and modern cinema history.
This 35mm cell preserves Darth Maul, portrayed by Ray Park, one of the prequel era's most striking antagonists and a favorite among collectors for his physical performance and iconic double bladed lightsaber design. As the Sith apprentice serving Darth Sidious, Maul represents the return of the Sith to the screen after decades absent from live action Star Wars storytelling. A frame naming him directly holds value as a piece of character focused film history, capturing a figure whose brief but memorable presence left a lasting mark on the franchise's visual identity and villain lineage.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, corners rounded, punching appears clean with no torn edges visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a narrow light-modulated stripe
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at the resolution shown
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight warm-purple tint consistent with a colour dye-coupler image; dye saturation appears intact with no obvious fading
Projection history
Faint horizontal lines are visible across the frame area consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are visible
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a release print of the film on record
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, four-perforation 35mm format, and colour dye-coupler base are all consistent with a theatrical release print from the late 1990s era 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 000064084
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
