Ephemeral films

1,201–1,248 of 19,488 films, free to watch, from the world's open archives.

Where these films come from, and who sees what

Every film here plays from the archive that keeps it: the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, the NASA Image and Video Library, the Library of Congress and Open Images (the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision). Nothing is copied to this site. Each film's page names its archive, links to its page there, and states its licence or status as the archive does.

Archive films carry no age ratings, so each is placed from the collections it sits in and the subjects the archive gives it, cautiously. Sexual content and nudity are left out altogether.

Little OnesFilms for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool.
KidsCartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature.
TweensDocumentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures.
TeensEverything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower.
AdultSexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage.
Internet Archive Dead Wrong: The Story of John Evans 1984 · Educational · 22 min · Subtitles Dead Wrong: The Story of John Evans Reel 1 Reel 2 available here Chronicles the life of a criminal who had an ordinary, middle-class background. Internet Archive The Sharks 1982 · Educational · 59 min The Sharks Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film As a consequence of the Boston Tea Party, Johnny Tremain and… Internet Archive DOPE 044 1987 · Film · Subtitles Reagan AIDS commission (no gays, no experts), teen AIDS, James Stanley LSD guinea pig can't sue Army (Scalia), drunk tests, teen smoking, Mathilde Krim, MADD,… Internet Archive Voyager : A Retrospective 1990 · Film This production was produced to depict the success of the Voyager spacecrafts as demonstrated by the data that was beamed back from the most distant corners… Internet Archive The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: Nazi Germany, years of triumph 1966 · Educational VHS format Videocassette release of a 1966 motion picture, made into a series of three films versioned by Films Inc., c1971 Based on the book by William L.… Internet Archive Destination Earth 1956 · Film Science-fiction-influenced cartoon sponsored by petroleum producers to lionize their industry and promote free enterprise. “Colonel Cosmic,” an astronaut from… Internet Archive Men of the world 1950 · Film The British Army's commitments from Gibraltar, through Suez, to Hong Kong. British Armed Forces. Internet Archive Energy crisis. 1972 · Educational · 13 min · Subtitles With teacher's guide Reviews the different energy sources and indicates the length of time they will suffice. Considers the possibility of solutions to the… Internet Archive Frogs, Toads and Salamanders 1932 · Educational · 8 min The life and history of the green frog showing the hatching of the eggs, and the growth of the tadpoles. This is followed by the life history and structure of… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "Working in a Supermarket" 1972 · Educational SOUND FILMSTRIP IS AN AT-RISK MEDIA FORMAT. I am the only person on earth preserving American filmstrips. The media format is largely forgotten and very… Internet Archive DOPE 086 1988 · Film · Subtitles Amnesty concert Tracy Chapman, Ledbelly, Wallace Shawn, home movies of coke dealers Detroit, AIDS bill passed 9-22-88, Joan Baez, David Smith re Haight fire,… Internet Archive Goodbye Gutenberg 1980 · Educational Anthony Smith Intended audience: Adults A documentary on the communication and information revolution that has taken place in business and industry through… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "Electronic Chips" 1985 · Educational SOUND FILMSTRIP IS AN AT-RISK MEDIA FORMAT. I am the only person on earth preserving American filmstrips. The media format is largely forgotten and very… Internet Archive 1967 VIETNAM WAR RAW FOOTAGE TAN TRU JUNGLE FIREBASE INTERROGATION OF PRISONERS 83455 1967 · Film Shot by U.S. Army combat cameramen during the Vietnam conflict, this reel of film contains several different segments. It begins with footage shot by a… Internet Archive The History And Functions Of Congress 1996 · Educational · Subtitles "From the defeat of the British, to the Constitutional Convention and into today's headlines, this production shows how Congress, the President, and Judicial… Internet Archive Gliders Over Outside Lands LLSF 2015 20151208 30p 7 MBps 1915 · Film Early gliders being launched over the outside lands when the Sunset was entirely sand dunes, c. 1910s. from "Lost Landscapes 10," 2015, courtesy Prelinger… Internet Archive Reflections In Space Short · 26 min Expresses the impact of the space program on the genius of creative artists by presenting the dancing of Edward Villella; space inspired paintings by James… Internet Archive DOPE 447 2004 · Film · Subtitles 2nd Presidential Debate 3rd Presidential Debate See scans of liner notes for detailed content. Internet Archive The Ghost of Thomas Kempe 1979 · Educational · 45 min A mischief-loving ghost makes a young boy his unwilling apprentice in a series of pranks. Title from data sheet Summary A mischief - loving ghost makes a… Internet Archive DOPE 270 1997 · Film · Subtitles Deneuve smoke Opium, A&E Prohibition, Elvis meets Nixon, Princess Diana dead, Mother Teresa, HBO "Flashback", PEP Study, Science Fiction. See scans of liner… Internet Archive Breast Cancer 1976 · Educational · 23 min Producer, Lucille Clark Demonstrates techniques for breast self-examination and describes the precise symptoms of breast cancer Internet Archive Do It Debbie's Way 1983 · Film "I tried all the other exercise albums and found them too fast and difficult for me, and I've been a dancer all my life. You'll find the pace nice and easy,… Internet Archive New Edition Past And Present 1989 · Film "Greatest Hits Collection Plus Exclusive Interview...theirs is a musical legacy that covers nearly ten years" Internet Archive How To Get Cooperation 1950 · Educational · 10 min Demonstrates methods of securing cooperation necessary for group action. Details the objectives of cooperation. Shows typical situations requiring cooperation… Internet Archive Ski school, Part 1 1963 · Educational · 12 min · Subtitles Offers an introduction and a step-by-step review of skiing. Covers the ABCs of ski equipment and demonstrates fundamental ski techniques, from walking to… Internet Archive Civil Rights Movement: The South (1963) 1966 · Educational · 27 min Civil Rights Movement: The South (1963) A documentary focusing on Daniel Ludwig, an American billionaire who is attempting to transform 3 million acres of… Internet Archive Meet King Joe 1949 · Film Pro-business cartoon explaining the role of investment capital in building America’s prosperity. Because of far-sighted investment in industry, the American… Internet Archive Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis 1974 · Educational John D. O'Connor Presents the phenomenon of cell division in normal somatic cells and compares this process to the one which occurs during the formation of… Internet Archive A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog 1981 · Educational Title from data sheet Based on: A boy, a dog, and a frog / Mercer Mayer Intended audience: Kindergarten through intermediate grades Issued also as… Internet Archive AIDS 90 Quarterly 1989 · Film · Subtitles AIDS, Quarterly, Martin Delaney & Slowness of the FDA, Money & Morals, December 1989. See scans of liner notes for detailed content. Internet Archive The splendid dream, William Penn. 1954 · Educational · 20 min · Subtitles Profiles William Penn's early life in England when he opposed parliamentary limitation on freedom of religion. Tells of his conversion to the Quakers and of… Internet Archive In Search of Ancient Mysteries 1974 · Educational Explores the specific evidences that a technological and scientific knowledge was at work on Earth during prehistoric times. Presents the theory that visitors… Internet Archive Pop goes the weasel 1948 · Short · 9 min A simple explanation of how peacetime taxes were spent paying for the enormous cost of the war. Internet Archive Wing, Claw and Fang 1946 · Educational · 8 min Kitten, puppy, penguin and lion perform stunts, showing that animals react in intelligent ways. Lion trainer wrestles and plays with lion which has already… Internet Archive Our Solar System (sign language) 1992 · Film A brief introduction to the solar system for children by children. This version has sign language interpretation. Internet Archive Felicia Educational · 12 min SHOWS THE LIFE OF A NEGRO GIRL IN WATTS, Los Angeles, California. PRESENTS HER OBSERVATIONS ABOUT LIFE IN A SEGREGATED COMMUNITY, EXPRESSING SOME OF THE HOPES… Internet Archive Race For Space 1960 · Film Analyzes the missile race between the United States and Russia. Contains American and Soviet rocket and space films including the firings of Sputnik I and II… Internet Archive " VIETNAM WAR RAW FOOTAGE 1967 " TAN TRU MEKONG DELTA U.S. ARMY HOSPITAL CORPS 83454 Film Shot by an unknown U.S. Army cameraman named Staal, this color film is raw footage of American troops filmed during the Vietnam War in 1967. At least some of… Internet Archive Lilias! Yoga for Better Health: Body Mind Spirit 1995 · Film "No matter what your age or fitness level, Lilias will stretch you to new levels of vitality, relaxation, and flexibility in these two 30-minute classes.… Internet Archive Steel and America: A New Look 1974 · Educational Original produced in 1965 A history of the steel industry in America stretches from the geological formation of iron ore to technological innovations now… Internet Archive DOPE 275 1997 · Film · Subtitles Deneuve smoke Opium, A&E Prohibition, Elvis meets Nixon, Princess Diana dead, Mother Teresa, HBO "Flashback", PEP Study, Science Fiction. See scans of liner… Internet Archive Pot Of Gold 1997 · Film · Subtitles MJ, "Pot of Gold" ABC March 1997, Junk Science, Crack Babies, House Hearing, Medical Marijuana October 1997. See scans of liner notes for detailed content. Internet Archive Artists' Television Access 2015 · Film Artists’ Television Access (ATA) was founded in 1984 by artist John Martin and Marshall Weber. Originally a quirky art warehouse space called the… Internet Archive Rhythmic Exercises 1950 · Film Presents a series of rhythmically integrated exercises, performed to music by a group of boys under an instructor's direction on a school athletic field. Both… Internet Archive DOPE 437 2004 · Film · Subtitles Elvis drugs, Pot Clubs, Gay Marriage, Reefer Madness Bush on pot, Miles Davis, Steroids, Angel Raich. See scans of liner notes for detailed content. Internet Archive Movement Education In Physical Education 1961 · Educational Explains that movement is the language of action and shows how skills for everyday activities can be more effective, efficient and expressive if correct… Internet Archive Castles of Clay 1978 · Educational · 30 min First released in Kenya Examines the African termite and its intricately constructed termite hills. Notes that special types of termites perform different… Internet Archive The Land 1942 · Film 1942, 43 minutes Documentary showing the poor state that American agriculture had fallen into during the Great Depression. Flaherty made this documentary…