Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 as Warner Bros. and 4Kids' bid to bring the phenomenon from television to American theaters, following its earlier release in Japan under Toho. Built around the battle between the cloned Mewtwo and the original Mew, it became a cultural marker for a generation raised on the franchise, pulling in blockbuster numbers despite mixed reviews from critics who underestimated its audience. The film's success cemented Pokémon as a lasting multimedia force rather than a passing fad, and cemented this era of animation as the moment the series proved its staying power beyond games and cards.
This cell centers on Mew, the rare and mythical Pokémon whose existence sets the film's entire plot into motion as the genetic basis for Mewtwo's creation. Collectors prize Mew material specifically because the character functions as the mythological anchor of the franchise, elusive within the games and central to the movie's mystery. A cell bearing simply this name, without accompanying character or setting, points to Mew's isolated significance, the character standing alone in the frame the way it stands alone in Pokémon lore: singular, foundational, and rarely seen outside of legend.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie (1999/1999).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one frame in the main image area.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area, appearing as a dual-bilateral (two-track) waveform pattern; a narrow blue line consistent with a Dolby Digital or DTS timecode stripe also appears at the boundary between the picture and the optical track.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
The base appears with a slight warm-neutral tint; the dye image shows strong violet-purple saturation consistent with an intact color dye set.
Projection history
Faint vertical lines are visible running through the frame area, consistent with light projection wear on a previously screened print.
Picture
Positive color image; the single frame visible is consistent in color palette and animated character style with a 1999-1999 Pokémon theatrical release print.
Era check
The dual-bilateral optical track, the narrow digital timecode stripe, and the color positive stock are all consistent with a 1999 North American theatrical release print of this title.
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
