Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 courtesy of Warner Bros. and Nintendo's co-branded push to capitalize on the franchise's explosive American debut. The teaser trailer circulated in theaters ahead of release, stoking anticipation for a story built around a genetically engineered Pokémon grappling with questions of identity and purpose. For a phenomenon still finding its footing in Western markets, this promotional push was a significant marker of the brand's ambitions beyond television and games, aiming squarely at the big screen and a wider audience.
This cell comes from the trailer reel itself, a strip meant to sell the film before anyone had seen it. Mewtwo anchors it, the movie's central figure and its most psychologically complex creation, a character built around themes of cloning and existential struggle rather than simple heroics. Trailer cells like this hold particular interest for collectors because they predate the feature's wide release, capturing the marketing moment rather than the narrative itself. Having Mewtwo named outright ties the fragment directly to the film's defining figure.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of Pokémon: The First Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds four frames, three whole and one cut off at the left edge.
Perforations
Four perforations per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with rounded-rectangle shapes; the strip bows because it is curved on the panel.
Soundtrack
A two-track variable-area optical track runs beside the picture; the track sits between the picture and the lower perforations. Dolby Digital data blocks are visible in the gaps between the lower perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear base reads as a light blue tint along both edges; the dye image looks saturated and neutral, with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, cue marks or splices are visible across the frames shown.
Picture
Positive image, with the same shot repeated across four consecutive frames; the character and moon-like backdrop are consistent with the film on record.
Era check
A 35mm print with a variable-area optical track and Dolby Digital data between the perforations 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
