SCENEAsh and Charizard Flying/Cyndaquil Creates A Way In
FILM FORMAT35mm
YEAR2001
CERTIFICATE IDNFV-000003353
FILM NOTES
Pokémon 3: The Movie arrived in 2001 as the third theatrical entry in the franchise, distributed by Warner Bros. in North America following 4Kids Entertainment's English adaptation. Built on the momentum of the first two films, it kept Pokémon's cinematic presence alive during the franchise's peak cultural saturation, pairing the series' television roots with bigger set pieces meant for the big screen. Trailers for the film circulated widely, giving audiences early glimpses of the adventure ahead and building anticipation among a fanbase still riding the Pokémon wave of the late nineties and early two thousands.
This cell comes from promotional material for the film, a trailer moment pairing two of the franchise's most recognizable figures: Ash Ketchum, the series' perpetual young trainer, and Charizard, his powerful and fan favorite partner. Flight sequences featuring the pair are a recurring highlight across the films, symbolizing trust and partnership between trainer and Pokémon. The reference to Cyndaquil creating a way in points to a cooperative problem solving beat, hinting at teamwork central to the story. Trailer cells like this one are sought for capturing a film's early promotional identity.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital release trailer print of Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001).
Gauge
35mm layout, four perforations per frame along both edges; the strip holds three frames, the first two near-identical and the third a different shot.
Perforations
Four per frame on both the top and bottom edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle shape, cleanly punched with no tears or torn edges visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track of two parallel tracks runs beside the picture; the gaps between the lower-edge perforations carry grey speckled blocks consistent with Dolby Digital data.
Edge print
Only a faint purple numeral reading "57" (mirrored) along the lower edge; no manufacturer text or SAFETY FILM wording is legible.
Base & colour
Pale cyan-blue tint along both edge margins with a neutral clear base; the dye image looks saturated, with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
No scratches, splices or cue marks seen at this size; a single dark oval on the third frame is the phone reflection and is ignored.
Picture
Positive colour image; the first two frames repeat one shot and the third is a different shot, so they are not one continuous shot, and the animated look is plausible for the film on record.
Era check
Optical tracks plus Dolby Digital blocks on a cyan-edged positive stock is consistent with a 2001 35mm release or trailer print, and the animated imagery fits the film 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 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 000071128
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
