Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Released in 2004 by Lionsgate, The Punisher arrived as part of a mid-2000s wave of comic adaptations seeking grittier ground than the era's dominant superhero spectacles. Based on the Marvel antihero created in the 1970s, the film leaned into vigilante justice and vengeance rather than costumed heroics, positioning Thomas Jane's Frank Castle as a former agent turned one-man war on organized crime. It holds a place in comic film history as an attempt to bring a darker, R-rated sensibility to the genre before that approach became more common.
This cell, called Frank Castle - Locked & Loaded, centers on the character in his transition toward becoming the Punisher, a figure collectors prize for his ruthless, methodical brand of justice. The phrase suggests a moment of preparation, arming and readiness, tied to the character's arsenal and resolve rather than any single scene detail. Such cells, often drawn from trailers or credit sequences, function as promotional or archival artifacts capturing a defining beat in the character's arc, valued by collectors for representing Castle's readiness before he becomes the Punisher fully realized.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of The Punisher (2004).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame 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 visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the lower edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track analogue stripe; Dolby Digital pixel blocks are visible in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge, indicating a combined analogue and Dolby Digital soundtrack.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
The base shows a slight warm-neutral tint consistent with a colour print stock; dye image appears stable with no visible fading or red shift.
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 an action sequence from a 2004 theatrical release print.
Era check
The combined analogue variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a standard theatrical release print from the early 2000s, matching the 2004 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 000064386
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
