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 as George Lucas's return to the franchise after a sixteen-year absence, released by Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox amid some of the largest anticipation in cinema history. As the opening chapter of the prequel trilogy, it introduced a new generation to the galaxy far, far away, expanding the mythology backward toward the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Empire, while pushing digital effects technology forward in ways that reshaped blockbuster filmmaking for years afterward.
This cell preserves Darth Maul, the double-bladed Sith assassin whose brief but ferocious presence made him an instant icon of the prequel era and a perennial favorite among collectors of Star Wars memorabilia. Played by Ray Park, whose martial arts background defined the character's physical menace, Maul represents the resurgence of the Sith after a generation in hiding. A 35mm cell bearing his name and performer credit stands as a physical artifact from the film's original theatrical run, a tangible link to one of the era's most striking villains.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three 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 the lower edge beside the picture, with what appears to be a secondary blue-tinted line consistent with a Dolby SR or digital hybrid track; Dolby Digital data blocks between perforations cannot be confirmed at this resolution.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
The base appears to carry a slight warm-neutral cast; the dye image shows purple-grey upper tones and deep brown-amber midtones with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
Faint horizontal lines are visible across the lower portion of the strip, consistent with light projection wear; no splices or cue marks are seen.
Picture
Positive image; the 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 track format, warm-neutral base, and dye palette are consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print era, when Dolby SR optical was standard for wide-release prints.
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 000064087
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
