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., following Nintendo's 4Kids-adapted anime into a feature-length production for Western audiences. Produced by OLM and distributed with backing from Nintendo and Pikachu's broader merchandising empire, the film served as a cultural bridge, introducing the franchise's mythos to millions who had only known Pokémon through the television series and trading cards. Its box office success cemented the property's staying power in the United States and marked one of the earliest instances of anime achieving mainstream theatrical distribution stateside.
This cell centers on Mewtwo and Mew, the two psychic Pokémon whose connection forms the emotional and philosophical spine of the film's narrative. Mewtwo, a genetically engineered clone born from Mew's own cells, represents themes of identity and purpose that made the character an enduring favorite among collectors seeking cells tied to the franchise's more introspective moments. Mew, the original and rarest Pokémon in the mythology, appears here alongside its counterpart, a pairing that speaks directly to the film's central question of nature versus artifice, making this a piece prized for its thematic weight within the broader collection.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds two frames visible across a side-by-side dual-frame layout.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge; spacing appears even; perforation edges appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along the lower edge, with what appears to be a Dolby Digital data-block strip in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge, consistent with a dual-format optical 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 warm-neutral tint; dye image shows strong magenta-purple saturation consistent with an intact colour dye set.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the two frames appear to be the same shot printed side by side, consistent with a dual-strip or scope-format arrangement; the vivid animated imagery is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
The combination of variable-area optical track with apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a 1999-1999 theatrical release print, when that dual-format soundtrack configuration was standard.
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
