Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Lionsgate released The Punisher in 2004, a gritty reimagining of the Marvel vigilante built for the post-Blade era of R-rated comic adaptations. Thomas Jane starred as Frank Castle, a former agent turned one-man war against organized crime after the murder of his family. The film leaned into pulp violence and revenge cinema rather than blockbuster spectacle, giving it a cult following among fans who prefer their superhero stories bloodied and morally blunt.
This cell centers on Spacker Dave, one of the eccentric neighbors who orbit Castle's apartment building and slowly draw him back into human connection despite his isolation. Spacker Confronts marks a moment of direct engagement between the two, a beat collectors value for showing Castle's reluctant re-entry into community rather than combat. Such cells preserve character-driven exchanges often overlooked beside the film's action set pieces, offering a quieter, dialogue-anchored frame from Castle's fractured world.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of The Punisher (2004)
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds six frames across two rows of three
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean throughout the visible length
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single bilateral variable-area track; Dolby Digital data blocks are not clearly distinguishable at this size
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base shows a slight cyan-blue tint consistent with a colour print stock; dye image appears warm with no obvious fading or red shift
Projection history
Light vertical lines consistent with projection are visible across multiple frames; no splices or cue marks seen
Picture
Positive colour image; frames run consecutively as a single continuous shot across the strip and the interior setting and cast appearance are consistent with The Punisher (2004)
Era check
The single bilateral 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
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 000064432
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
