Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
The Punisher (2004) arrived from Lionsgate as a mid-budget attempt to relaunch Marvel's vigilante on film, following the 1989 Dolph Lundgren version and preceding the character's later Netflix incarnation. Thomas Jane took the lead as Frank Castle, and the film built its identity around a brutal inciting tragedy: the slaughter of Castle's entire extended family at a gathering, an event that transforms him from FBI agent into the Punisher. The picture found its audience through home video and cable more than theatrical returns, becoming a cult touchstone for fans invested in a grimmer, more grounded take on the character.
This cell corresponds to that founding atrocity, the reunion where Castle's family is wiped out, the event that manufactures the Punisher himself. Collectors seek Frank Castle material because he is the emotional and narrative anchor of the franchise, and a cell tied directly to his origin carries particular weight. A moment like this, drawn from the film's darkest sequence, represents the hinge point of the entire story, the scene every later act of violence answers to.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of The Punisher (2004).
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 holes appear cleanly formed with no torn edges visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track waveform; Dolby Digital pixel blocks are not clearly distinguishable at this resolution.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
The base shows a warm, slightly amber-tinted cast consistent with a colour print stock; dye image appears intact with no obvious fading.
Projection history
Light vertical scratching is visible across the frame area, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a release print of The Punisher (2004).
Era check
The single variable-area optical track, colour positive print stock, and amber base tint are all consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print from the early 2000s.
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 000064380
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
