Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
The Punisher arrived in 2004 through Lionsgate and Marvel's early attempts to bring darker street level heroes to the screen, years before the MCU standardized the genre. Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and starring Thomas Jane as Frank Castle, it drew on a stripped down revenge picture tradition rather than spectacle, and it built a loyal cult following for its grim tone and practical stunt work, including a memorable car chase built around Castle's own Pontiac GTO.
This cell marks the Bridge Burnout sequence, a key action beat tied directly to the GTO, one of the film's most recognizable pieces of hardware and a favorite among collectors who track Castle's vehicles as extensions of his character. A bridge burnout signals a moment of aggressive escape or confrontation, the kind of practical vehicular sequence that defined the era's action filmmaking. As a single 35mm frame, it stands as a physical artifact from that stunt work, a tangible link to a scene built on real machinery rather than digital effects.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour theatrical release print of The Punisher (2004).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds approximately three full frames plus partial frames at each end.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even; perforation edges appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing or deformation.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single variable-area stripe.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture; the edge areas are too obscured by the curl and lighting angle to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
The base shows a slight blue-cyan tint consistent with a colour print stock; the dye image appears reasonably saturated with no obvious red shift or significant fading visible.
Projection history
Vertical linear scratches are visible running through multiple frames, consistent with evidence of a projected print; no splices or cue marks are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the frames appear to run consecutively as a single continuous shot; the visible content is consistent with a live-action theatrical release print matching the film on record.
Era check
The single variable-area optical track, colour print stock with cyan base tint, and perforation layout are all consistent with a standard 35mm theatrical release print from the early 2000s, matching the 2004 release date 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 000064379
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
