Ephemeral films

1,249–1,296 of 19,486 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 Athens: The Golden Age (1962) 1962 · Educational · 29 min · Subtitles With teacher's guide Lecturer Charles Kahn describes aspects of Athenian life which made the achievements of the Golen Age possible, including the beauty of… Internet Archive Shinto: Nature, Gods, and Man in Japan 1977 · Educational Traces the development of Shinto to the present day. Shows ancient ritual sites still used today as well as some major shrines. Also portrays great works of… Internet Archive Applying for a job 1971 · Educational · 12 min · Subtitles With teacher's guide Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film Summary Explains how to apply for a job, how to… Internet Archive Waves on Water 1989 · Educational Collaborator, John S. Shelton Uses principles discovered in the laboratory as a basis for interpreting the characteristics of waves and wave motion on the… Internet Archive Biography Bob Marley 1996 · Film "...Biography profiles the most important people of our century...Rare footage, new research, and exclusive interviews..." Internet Archive Madeline and the Gypsies 1960 · Educational Based on the book of the same title by Ludwig Bemelmans An animated film in which Madeline and Pepito visit some of France's scenic wonders, and are chased… Internet Archive They Do Come Back 1940 · Educational · 16 min This film courtesy of The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). DIRECTOR: Edgar Ulmer. SPONSOR: National Tuberculosis Association. PRODUCTION:… Internet Archive Weaving (Motion picture) 1969 · Educational · 14 min Illustrates the basic principle of weaving threads into cloth, and shows how very simple looms may be used creatively to produce a wide variety of effects.… Internet Archive Kitty Cleans Up 1949 · Film This film uses a childs curiosity about animals to convey its messages. Young Helen learns that she cleans herself just like her cat Kitty does.… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "Tobacco: The Habit and the Hazards" 1968 · 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 276 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 Force Recon: Inside U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance 1998 · Film "Check out the mission, weapons,and tactics of the elite Force Reconnaissance Marines! From the grueling selection process to the battlefield and beyond, get… Internet Archive Original Films of Frank B. Gilbreth 1945 · Film Footage drawn from Frank Gilbreth’s time and motion studies. The anthology includes a clip of his family, who were often used in his work-efficiency… Internet Archive The House I Live In 1945 · Film Advocacy film commissioned by the civil rights organization to discourage ethnic and racial prejudice. Caught in a dispute that assumes ethnic dimensions, a… Internet Archive Bookkeeping and You 1947 · Educational · 11 min Shows the value of bookkeeping to business and the professions, and to the individual in keeping a record of personal finances. Features future film star Dick… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "The Scooby Doo Gang in "James Beckwourth, Black Explorer"" 1978 · 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 Angels: The Mysterious Messengers 1994 · Film "Hosted by Patty Duke, the program traces the history of Angels in modern times, exploring their purpose or mission and what their ultimate message may be."--… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "I Can't Do It, Coach" 1986 · 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 Destination America: 3 -- Made in Britain 1976 · Educational · 55 min · Subtitles Destination America: 3 -- Made in Britain Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film Summary Describes how the… Internet Archive Local 2 Dancing Pickets 1980 · Film Alliance for the Rank and File activists in Local 2 HERE led a strike against Zim's Coffeehouse chain. Internet Archive Revenge Of The Nerd 1985 · Film From the "Learning To Be Human" video series, based on the 1985 children's book by John McNamara. Internet Archive DOPE 037 1987 · Film · Subtitles AIDS protests, Sgt Pepper anniversary, IVDUs with AIS, AIDS conf, Drug Dogs (rent-a-dog for schools), vaccine years away, Crack House mansion, election… Internet Archive DOPE 038 1987 · Film · Subtitles Dental AIDS, doctors drug abuse, no smoking laws, Sally Ride,PBTV, Koop on AIDS, 1969 tripper, women AIDS, Reggie Williams, AIDS conference boos Reagan,… Internet Archive Footage from Apollo 12 Short · 6 min various clips from Apollo 12. To license this film and get a higher quality version for broadcast/film purposes, contact A/V Geeks LLC . Internet Archive Dive to the Edge of Creation 1979 · Educational · 58 min Title from data sheet Also issued as videorecording A documentary following a team of biologists and geologists 1 1/2 miles below the ocean surface where… Internet Archive Why We Fight: Prelude to War 1942 · Educational · 26 min Why We Fight: Prelude to War reel 2 Reviews events from 1933 to 1939 including the Japanese conquest of Manchuria, the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, the rise… Internet Archive The Burks of Georgia 1977 · Educational · 59 min The Burks of Georgia Summary Describes the life of a rural Georgia family. Shows how they are a loving family even though they are faced with poverty,… Internet Archive It Must Be The Neighbors 1966 · Film Bill Duncan gets a Health Department citation for having a rusted-out garbage can. He talks to his buddy at the Health Department and learns that his… Internet Archive Ro-Revus Talks About Worms 1971 · Film Public health film for young children teaching them not to use the out of doors as a bathroom to discourage the spread of the Ascaris parasite. Features… Internet Archive An Acquired Taste 1981 · Educational Title from data sheet Intended audience: Ages 14 through adult Issued as videorecording by Ralph Arlyck Film Library Filmmaker Ralph Arlyck examines the… Internet Archive Insect mounting and preserving. 1961 · Educational · 13 min · Subtitles Explains the variety of methods and equipment used in mounting and preserving insects Summary Illustrates specific ways of mounting and preserving insects.… Internet Archive The NASA space suit. 1990 · Film Describes the space suits worn by NASA astronauts. Shows the extra-protection garments worn by the astronauts who walked on the surface of the Moon and pilot… Internet Archive In Dutch 1955 · Cartoon Originally released in 35 mm. in 1945 With teacher guide Director, Charles Nichols; story, Harry Reeves, Jess Marsh; animation, George Nichols, Marvin… Internet Archive Harry Hay on 34 Funeral 1996 · Film Harry Hay describes the scene along Market Street on July 9, 1934 as strikers tore hats from bankers and kept their own security. Internet Archive Gartland Pit street theater 1985 · Film Street theater held across from Gartland Pit in the mid-1980s. Peter Plate on megaphone. Internet Archive Filmstrip: "The Nativity" 1967 · 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 Filmstrip: "Filmstrip 3: A Picnic in the Forest" 1970 · 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 Boston Tea Party 1957 · Educational From the featue film, Johnny Tremain, which is based on the book of the same title by Esther Forbes Show events that led to the Boston Tea Party, the first… Internet Archive Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: An Amazing Grace 1978 · Educational · 1 h 2 min A historical overview of the struggle for racial equality in America. Focuses on the role of Martin Luther King, Jr., and includes footage of major events in… Internet Archive Let My People Go 1965 · Educational · 54 min Richard Basehart Film editor, Nicholas Clapp ; music, Marc Lavry ; historical consultant, Ralph J. Kaplan ; research, Martin Cohan Traces the history of the… Internet Archive Bus Nut 1980 · Film We learn about bus safety from a young girl who is a self-professed "Bus Nut." Emphasizes the danger of horseplay while waiting for a school bus, the dangers… Internet Archive Black Woman 1972 · Educational · 52 min Poetess Nikki Giovanni, singer Lena Horne, Bibi Amina Baraka (wife of poet-playwright Leroi Jones) and other Black women discuss the role of Black women in… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "2. Paul's Story" 1981 · 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 India: Machinery of Hope 1979 · Educational · 58 min · Subtitles Originally aired on the television program Nova Examines India's alternative to centralized industrialization, which attempts to bridge the wide gap between… Internet Archive The Regulators: Our Invisible Government 1982 · Educational · 50 min Title from data sheet Sequel to: An Act of Congress Intended audience: Senior high school through college students and adults Issued also as videorecording… Internet Archive The Family: lifestyles of the future 1970 · Educational · 20 min · Subtitles Discusses the effects that technology and social changes have had on the famuly institution. Comments by Dr. Margaret Mead Search Educational Film Journals at… Internet Archive Very Special Man, A 1968 · Film A recruiting film for seaman suggesting they pursue a career in electronics. To license this film and get a higher quality version for broadcast/film… Internet Archive Schizophrenia: Catatonic Type 1952 · Educational Writer and director, Robert Anderson Demonstrates characteristic symptoms of stuporous catatonia. Presents three male patients showing such symptoms as lack…