Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in theaters in November 1999 courtesy of Warner Bros. and Nintendo's licensing machine, following Pikachu and friends from Japanese theaters into a full-blown American cultural event. Built around the original 151-creature roster that defined the franchise's launch, the film capitalized on peak Pokémania, pairing the Mewtwo origin story with a Pikachu short to draw families and collectors alike. It stands as a snapshot of late-1990s merchandising success, a theatrical crossover that cemented Pokémon's place beyond the Game Boy and television screen.
This cell centers on Mew, the elusive legendary tied directly to Mewtwo's creation and the emotional and narrative root of the film's conflict. Mew's design, rarity within the games, and mythic status among the original 151 make it one of the most sought-after figures for collectors chasing anything connected to the character's screen appearances. A frame naming Mew specifically holds value as a direct link to the creature whose existence sets the entire story in motion, a quiet counterpart to Mewtwo's manufactured power, and a piece tied to the franchise's founding mythology.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of POKEMON: The First Movie.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one full frame with partial frames above and below.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even; perforation edges appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the bottom edge of the frame area, consistent with an analog optical mono or stereo track; Dolby Digital pixel blocks between perforations are not clearly distinguishable at this capture resolution; DTS and SDDS tracks not visible in this capture.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer text or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears to carry a cool-to-neutral tint; the dye image shows deep blacks and saturated colour values with no obvious red shift or fading.
Projection history
Fine horizontal lines are visible in the lower portion of the frame area, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; frames appear to run consecutively as a single shot; the animated character and stylised imagery are consistent with the animated feature on record.
Era check
An analog optical soundtrack, cool-neutral polyester base, and saturated dye image are all consistent with a late-1990s theatrical release print of the period when this film was distributed.
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
