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 wave of comic adaptations trying to capture the grittier, R-rated end of the market rather than chase the family-friendly superhero boom. Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and starring Thomas Jane, it leaned into vigilante justice and revenge cinema rather than spectacle, positioning Frank Castle as a war veteran turned one-man army after the murder of his family. It found its audience less through box office than through home video and cult following, becoming a touchstone for fans of harder-edged Marvel properties before the character was reinterpreted again in later years.
This cell centers on Frank Castle in his identity as The Punisher, armed, which places it in the film's core register of retribution and combat readiness. Collectors prize Castle material because he represents Marvel's most morally severe protagonist, a man defined by loss and weaponry rather than heroics. A cell marked this way likely comes from action or standoff footage, the kind of frame used in trailers or promotional reels to establish the character's threat and resolve before audiences ever see the story's violence unfold.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of The Punisher (2004).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on the upper edge; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on the upper edge; lower edge perforations are partially visible and appear evenly spaced with cleanly punched rectangular rounded corners.
Soundtrack
A multi-line optical area is visible below the picture area, consistent with a variable-area optical track alongside what appears to be a Dolby Digital data block strip between the perforation rows; DTS or SDDS tracks not clearly distinguishable at this capture resolution.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears warm to neutral; dye image shows a sepia-warm tone with strong contrast, consistent with a colour release print.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be identical or near-identical, suggesting a very short repeated moment or a static shot; content is consistent with a live-action feature release print.
Era check
The combination of a colour positive print, Dolby Digital-style data blocks between perforations, and optical soundtrack area is consistent with a 2004 theatrical release print production era.
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 000064442
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
