Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Released in 2004 through Lionsgate, The Punisher arrived as part of the early-2000s wave of gritty comic adaptations, positioning itself against the more polished superhero fare of its time. Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and starring Thomas Jane in the title role, the film leaned into vigilante justice and hard-edged violence, distinguishing it from brighter Marvel properties. It holds a place in collector interest as an early attempt to bring Frank Castle to the screen with a harder tone, appealing to those drawn to the character's uncompromising war on crime.
This cell centers on Frank Castle, the Punisher himself, a figure whose appeal rests on relentless resolve and a willingness to meet violence with violence. The pairing of "Armed" and "Detonation" points to a moment of direct confrontation, the character equipped and engaged in the explosive tactics that define his war on the criminal underworld. For collectors, a frame like this represents the essence of the character's identity: preparation meeting consequence, the quiet before action giving way to impact. Such a cell captures a defining beat in Castle's ongoing campaign of retribution.
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 throughout the visible strip.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the bottom edge beside the perforations, appearing as a dual-wave analogue pattern consistent with a stereo variable-area track; Dolby Digital pixel blocks are visible in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote characters reliably.
Base & colour
The base shows a warm amber-orange tint across the image frames; dye saturation appears rich with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames appear to be from at least two distinct shots, and the action content is consistent with a release print of The Punisher (2004).
Era check
The combination of dual variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a theatrical release print from the early-to-mid 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 000064435
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
