Pokemon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 courtesy of Warner Bros. and Nintendo's licensing arm, riding the crest of Pokemania as the franchise crossed from television and trading cards into wide theatrical release. The trailer that preceded it was itself an event, shown to audiences already primed by the games and cartoon, and it served as a promise of the mythic scale the film aimed for, positioning the story as something larger than a typical children's cartoon spinoff.
This cell belongs to Mew, the rare and elusive Pokemon whose presence anchors the film's entire premise. As the genetic origin point for Mewtwo, Mew carries a mystique collectors prize, since its appearances in early promotional material are scarce compared to the more commonly merchandised characters. A trailer cell featuring Mew captures that early marketing moment when the character's legend was being introduced to a mainstream audience, making this a piece tied directly to the franchise's crossover ambitions.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie Trailer (1999).
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 below the picture area on the lower edge strip, alongside what appears to be a Dolby Digital data block pattern between the lower perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight cool-neutral tint; the dye image shows strong blue and purple hues consistent with an intact colour dye set.
Projection history
Light horizontal lines are visible in the lower portion of the frame area, consistent with a print that has been projected.
Picture
Positive colour image; frames appear to run consecutively as a single continuous shot; the title character name visible is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track, Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, and colour positive stock is consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print.
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
