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 1999, brought to American audiences by Warner Bros. after its original Japanese release the year before through Toho. Built on the wildly popular Nintendo franchise and animated series, the film introduced Mewtwo to a generation of young viewers and became a cultural touchstone of late-90s children's entertainment, grossing well beyond expectations and cementing Pokémon as a global phenomenon rather than a passing fad.
This cell holds Jessie, James, and Meowth, the trio whose scheming and misadventures provided comic relief throughout the series and its cinematic outings. Collectors seek them out because their presence signals the franchise's playful, mischievous undercurrent, a counterpoint to the film's larger themes. A cell featuring this group speaks to the enduring appeal of side characters who became as beloved as the heroes themselves, preserving a moment tied to their recurring role within the movie's broader narrative.
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 on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible tearing or distortion.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with a mono or stereo optical print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye image shows strong, saturated colour with no visible fading.
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with animated content from the film on record.
Era check
A variable-area optical track on a saturated colour positive print is consistent with a 1999-1999 theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie, which carried optical stereo sound.
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
