Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
Released by 20th Century Fox in 1999, The Phantom Menace arrived as George Lucas's return to the Star Wars saga after a sixteen year absence from the director's chair, launching the prequel trilogy and reintroducing audiences to the galaxy through the eyes of a younger Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Jedi Order at the height of its power. Shot on 35mm during a pivotal transition toward digital filmmaking, it remains a touchstone for an entire generation and a fixture of collector interest tied to its cultural reach and box office dominance.
This cell preserves a strip built around Darth Maul, the Sith apprentice played by Ray Park, whose double bladed lightsaber and silent menace made him an instant icon despite limited screen time. Collectors prize Maul material for his design work and physical presence, brought to life through Park's martial arts background. A cell like this speaks to that character's introduction into the saga's mythology, a frame of film history tied directly to one of the prequel era's most enduring visual creations.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even; edges of the perforation holes appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with an analog optical stereo print; a blue dashed line and parallel white lines are also visible in the lower border area, suggesting a DTS timecode stripe.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any manufacturer text, key numbers, or SAFETY FILM legend.
Base & colour
The base carries a visible purple-violet tint on both edge strips; the image area shows a warm brownish-amber dye tone with deep shadow areas.
Projection history
Several fine horizontal lines are visible running across the lower portion of the frame area, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are visible.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot; the content is consistent with a desert or arid landscape environment as would appear in the film on record.
Era check
The combination of analog variable-area optical track, apparent DTS timecode stripe, purple-tinted polyester base, and warm dye image is consistent with a mid-to-late 1990s theatrical release print, matching the 1999 release date 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 000064088
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
