Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokemon 3: The Movie arrived in 2001 from Warner Bros. and Kids' WA in the U.S., part of the franchise's early theatrical run that followed the anime's explosive rise in popularity. Produced with 4Kids' English dub, it brought Ash, Pikachu, and the wider cast to American audiences during Pokemania's commercial peak, cementing the series' place in film distribution beyond television. These theatrical releases remain touchstones for a generation who came of age alongside the franchise, and surviving 35mm material from this period is scarce, making any authentic frame a direct link to that theatrical moment.
This cell centers on Team Rocket, the trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth, whose comic relief made them fan favorites across the series. Their swimming scene reflects the misadventures that define their role, providing lighter counterpoint to the film's more dramatic Unown storyline. Collectors prize Team Rocket material for its humor and consistency of character, since Jessie, James, and Meowth appear in nearly every episode and film, making authentic theatrical frames of them a durable, recognizable piece of the franchise's visual history.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokemon 3: The Movie (2001).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with a mono or stereo optical print; Dolby Digital data blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps on the same edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers.
Base & colour
The base appears with a slight warm-cream tint typical of safety acetate or polyester stock; the dye image reads as neutral with no visible red shift or fading.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks, or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, and the animated content is consistent with the Pokemon 3: The Movie (2001) release print.
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a theatrical release print from 2001, 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
