Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 as a theatrical bridge between the runaway success of the television series and the broader ambitions of the Pokémon franchise as a cinematic property. Produced in Japan and distributed in North America by Warner Bros., it introduced Mewtwo to audiences beyond the games and cartoons, pairing an origin story with a Pikachu short that softened the feature's darker themes. The film became a box office event, cementing Pokémon as a cross-media phenomenon and giving a generation of young viewers their first taste of the franchise on the big screen, making surviving film artifacts from this release notable touchstones of late nineties animation history.
This cell captures Psyduck alongside its cloned counterpart, a doubling that speaks directly to the film's central conceit of genetic duplication and identity. Psyduck has long held a devoted following among Pokémon collectors for its perpetually confused reputation, and its presence here alongside a clone version ties the character to the movie's core narrative machinery, where Mewtwo's laboratory produces duplicates of familiar creatures. For collectors, a piece showing both the original and its clone side by side offers a direct visual link to the film's premise, making it a meaningful addition for anyone assembling artifacts tied to Mewtwo's story and the clone Pokémon subplot.
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 per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs along one edge, with what appears to be a Dolby Digital data block pattern visible in 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 read any key numbers or manufacturer text
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; dye image shows strong, saturated colour with no visible fading
Projection history
Light horizontal and diagonal fine lines are visible across the frame area, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks seen
Picture
Positive colour image; frames run consecutively as a single continuous shot; the animated character depicted matches the Pokémon franchise consistent with the film on record
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a mid-to-late 1990s theatrical release print, 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
