Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in American theaters in November 1999, released by Warner Bros. after Nintendo's Pokémon phenomenon had already conquered Game Boys and television screens. It served as the franchise's cinematic debut, translating the anime's roaming adventure into a feature built around cloning, identity, and conflict, and it became one of the highest-grossing anime films ever released domestically. For a generation of collectors, this was the moment Pokémon proved it could command the big screen, making surviving 35mm material from the production a genuine piece of animation and merchandising history.
This cell holds Mewtwo alone, the genetically engineered Pokémon whose creation and rebellion drive the film's central conflict. As the movie's tragic antagonist and arguably its most complex character, Mewtwo remains a favorite among collectors seeking frames tied to the story's emotional and philosophical core rather than its more lighthearted ensemble moments. A single-character cell like this isolates that gravity, offering a physical artifact from the reel itself rather than a promotional still, trailer frame, or title card, and placing the viewer directly with the character at the heart of the film's questions about origin and purpose.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie (1999/1999).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one frame fully within the capture
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no torn or deformed sprocket holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge below the picture area, showing the characteristic wavy bilateral waveform pattern consistent with an analog optical stereo track; Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks are not clearly distinguishable at this size
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears with a cool blue-tinted cast; the dye image reads in blue and purple tones consistent with a color release print
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture
Picture
Positive color image; the single frame visible depicts animated content consistent with the Pokémon franchise and matches the film on record
Era check
The analog variable-area optical soundtrack, 35mm four-perforation format, and color positive print stock are all consistent with a late-1990s theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie
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, 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.
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
