Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in 1999 courtesy of Warner Bros. and Nintendo, riding the crest of Pokémania as the franchise crossed from television and trading cards into theatrical release. It brought Pokémon's roster to American multiplexes for the first time, introducing wide audiences to the mythos of Mewtwo, a lab-born Pokémon whose story of identity and origin gave the film a weightier register than its merchandising boom might suggest. The movie became a cultural touchstone for a generation and remains a landmark in anime's commercial breakthrough in the West.
This 35mm cell preserves a frame from the theatrical trailer, the advance reel built to stir anticipation before the feature's release. Its subject is Mewtwo alone, the genetically engineered Pokémon whose presence anchors the film's central conflict. Collectors prize Mewtwo material above nearly all other Pokémon imagery from this era, since the character embodies the franchise's rare foray into darker, more philosophical territory. A trailer cell such as this one captures that early promotional moment, when Mewtwo's image alone was enough to signal the film's ambitions to audiences still unfamiliar with its story.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print trailer for Pokémon: The First Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm layout with four perforations per frame along both edges; the strip holds one complete frame, with only slivers of neighbouring frames at top and bottom.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, rounded-rectangle holes, evenly spaced and cleanly punched; the soundtrack-side edge has Dolby-style data blocks between them.
Soundtrack
Two variable-area optical tracks run beside the picture, with a dashed line above them, and Dolby Digital data blocks sit in the gaps between the perforations on the same edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Pale blue-green tint on the clear base margins; the dye image looks neutral to cool, with no visible red shift or fading.
Projection history
No scratches, splices or cue marks seen at this size; a few tiny specks on the light panel around the strip are not on the film.
Picture
Positive image with a single frame visible, so consecutive-shot continuity cannot be judged; the pale creature on a dark blue set is plausible for the film on record.
Era check
Two-channel optical track plus Dolby Digital blocks fit a 1999 35mm release print, and nothing visible contradicts that for this trailer.
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 in partnership with National Film Vault, 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.
CROWN SERIAL 000069868
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
