Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
The Punisher arrived in 2004 from Lionsgate, a gritty adaptation of the Marvel antihero created by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, and John Romita Sr. Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and starring Thomas Jane in the title role, the film leaned into revenge-thriller conventions rather than superhero spectacle, arriving in a transitional era for comic book cinema before the genre's blockbuster reinvention later that decade. It carved out a cult following among fans who appreciated its darker, more grounded tone, and it remains a touchstone for collectors tracking the character's early cinematic footprint.
This cell centers on Frank Castle, the vigilante known as The Punisher, a figure whose appeal rests on relentless retribution and a war waged alone against those who wronged him. The word Detonation points to a moment of violent culmination, likely tied to the film's explosive set pieces where Castle's methods reach their most destructive expression. Such a cell captures a pivotal beat rather than a quiet aside, making it desirable to collectors who seek out the character's defining, high-stakes instants preserved directly from the 35mm print.
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, the third being largely unexposed leader.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge; spacing appears even across all visible frames; perforation edges appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along the bottom edge beside the picture area, with what appears to be a secondary timecode or DTS stripe adjacent to it.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote any text or key numbers.
Base & colour
The base carries a warm amber-sepia cast throughout; the dye image is heavily shifted toward yellow-brown, consistent with colour fading in an aged print.
Projection history
Faint horizontal lines are visible across the frame area, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive image; the first two frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot; the third frame is largely clear, indicating end-of-scene or leader.
Era check
The variable-area optical track with an adjacent timecode stripe, combined with the perforation layout, is consistent with a 35mm release print from the early 2000s, matching the 2004 production 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 000064421
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
