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 through Warner Bros. and Nintendo's partnership with 4Kids Entertainment, riding the crest of Pokémania at its peak. Adapting the Japanese feature Mewtwo Strikes Back, it introduced millions of young viewers to a darker, more philosophical corner of the franchise, one concerned with cloning, identity, and purpose rather than simple monster battles. The film became a box office phenomenon, cementing Pokémon's transition from handheld game to full multimedia empire.
This 35mm cell isolates Mewtwo, the genetically engineered Pokémon whose existential struggle drives the entire narrative. As the film's central figure and arguably its most complex creation, Mewtwo remains a perennial favorite among collectors drawn to the character's gravity and singular design. A cell built around this figure alone speaks to Mewtwo's dominance within the story, a presence commanding enough to anchor a frame without supporting cast. For collectors, isolated character cells like this one represent a direct physical link to a defining moment in animated franchise history.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one frame fully within the capture.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area, appearing as two bilateral variable-area lines; a blue DTS timecode stripe is also visible immediately adjacent to the picture, consistent with a dual-format optical and DTS release print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight cool-blue tint typical of polyester safety stock; dye image reads as stable with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the single visible frame shows animation consistent with the Pokémon franchise and matches the film on record.
Era check
The combination of bilateral variable-area optical track and a DTS timecode stripe is consistent with a 1999–1999 theatrical release print, when dual-format optical/DTS prints were standard for wide releases.
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
