Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 through Warner Bros., bringing Nintendo's phenomenon to American theaters at the height of Pokémania. Produced with 4Kids Entertainment's dubbing and marketing muscle, it became a cultural event, drawing families and franchise newcomers alike into a story built around Mewtwo's origin and the ethics of cloning. Its box office success cemented the franchise's staying power beyond the games and trading cards, proving animated properties from Japan could dominate Western theatrical release.
This cell centers on Corey's Pokemon, the team belonging to one of the trainers drawn into the climactic gathering at Mewtwo's island. Hitmonlee, Venusaur, Sandslash, and Scyther represent a varied and battle ready roster, the kind of lineup collectors prize for showcasing lesser seen trainer characters rather than the usual mainline cast. Frames like this document the film's ensemble scale, reminding viewers that the story's stakes extended across many trainers and their partners, not just the central figures most remembered from the marketing.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds four frames.
Perforations
Four perforations per frame on each edge; spacing appears even and the punched holes appear cleanly cut with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along one edge, with what appears to be a Dolby Digital data-block strip occupying the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge, consistent with a dual-format optical release print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote characters reliably.
Base & colour
The base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye colours are saturated and show no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all four frames appear to be from the same continuous shot, and the animated character style is consistent with the Pokémon franchise film on record.
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a theatrical release print from the late 1990s, matching the 1999 release date on record.
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
