Ephemeral films

145–192 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 Kon-Tiki (Motion picture) 1951 · Educational · 35 min 35 mm. version released in 1951 by RKO Radio Pictures. 16 mm. and 35 mm. versions distributed in 1964 by Irving Lesser Enterprises Presents a documentary… Internet Archive Cracked Up (No Closed Captions) 1987 · Film · Subtitles "Seventeen-year-old track star, John Owens, has never used any drug stronger than pot, until he meets an older woman who introduces him to crack cocaine. He… Internet Archive Darrell Rogers On The Police 2016 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco native Darrell Rogers (b. 1945 in the Fillmore) describes his childhood experience of a friendly policeman named Eddie who helped him transition… Internet Archive The Other way 1974 · Educational · 29 min · Subtitles Dr. E.F. Schumacher, the British fuel economist and founder of the Intermediate Technology Group in London, discusses his work. He questions the wisdom of the… Internet Archive Worlds in Collision 1978 · Educational · 47 min · Subtitles Worlds in Collision Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film Summary Examines the ideas of cosmologist and author… Internet Archive The Day the Universe Changed:5- Science Revises the heavens 1985 · Educational · 54 min VHS Written and presented by James Burke; produced by the BBC and RKO Pictures Notes that investigators such as Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton… Internet Archive DOPE 050 1987 · Film · Subtitles Hooters Johnny B (drug song), AIDS & Heteros, harmonic convergence, Wavy Gravy's camp, Back to the Future reefer, steroids, See scans of liner notes for… Internet Archive Joey. [Motion picture] 1977 · Educational · 38 min Also issued as videocassette Joey Deacon, Ernie Roberts Dramatizes the life of Joey Deacon, a brain-damaged child whose severe spasms made it impossible for… Internet Archive Coughs and Sneezes 1945 · Short · 1 min Amusing health propaganda trailer on the dangers of sneezing. NHS in 1948. Public health. Colds. Coughs and Sneezes spread diseases, Modern Public Health… Internet Archive Connections: 6 -- Thunder in The Skies 1979 · Educational · 39 min · Subtitles Connections: 6 -- Thunder in The Skies Summary Details the changes in building construction and energy usage which occurred when the climate of Europe changed… Internet Archive To Hear Your Banjo Play 1947 · Short · 16 min Presents the origin of the banjo, the development of southern folk music and its influence upon Americans. Pete Seeger plays his banjo and narrates the story.… Internet Archive Connections: 2 -- Death in The Morning 1979 · Educational · 39 min · Subtitles Title from data sheet Also issued as videorecording Directors, Mick Jackson, David Kennard; writer, James Burke Host James Burke traces the connection… Internet Archive Man: The Incredible Machine 1975 · Educational · 28 min Narrator, Lary Lewman; producer and director, Irwin Rosten; writers, Irwin Rosen and Donald Cooper; supervising film editor, Sidney Platt; film editor, Carl… Internet Archive Now Is The Time 1967 · Educational · 34 min 'Now Is the Time' featured actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis doing in-studio readings from the passionate writings of American Negroes as cameras caught… Internet Archive Antenna fundamentals: propagation. 1963 · Educational · 12 min · Subtitles Examines the characteristics and dynamics of radio waves emanating from a dipole antenna Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for… Internet Archive The Conquest of Everest 1953 · Educational VHS Videocassette release of 1953 motion picture Documentary record of Edmund Hillary and company's triumphant Mount Everst expedition. Chronicles the… Internet Archive Still Water 1979 · Educational · 59 min · Subtitles Title from data sheet Also issued as videorecording Shows the animal life that abounds in a fresh water pond, including microscopic organisms, insects,… Internet Archive N/um tchai: the ceremonial dance of the!Kung Bushmen. 1973 · Educational · 19 min · Subtitles Photography and narration, John K. Marshall; filmed on a 1957 expedition sponsored by Peabody Museum, Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution With… Internet Archive Barn burning. 1980 · Educational · 41 min Based on the story of the same title by William Faulkner, about the son of a tenant farmer who must choose between his aversion to playing his father's… Internet Archive Art--people--feelings 1970 · Educational · 15 min · Subtitles Combines humor, satire, and visual beauty in presenting contemporary and historical art scenes to demonstrate the interdependence of man, his feelings, and… Internet Archive Gemini X : A Quick Look 1966 · Film Shows the flight of the Gemini X as astronauts Young and Collins rendezvous with an Agena and use its power while in orbit. To license this film and get a… Internet Archive DOPE 035 1987 · Film · Subtitles Cracked Up (ABC-TV), Reagan AIDS policy, Betty Ford, Candy, SF Cocaine bust, Jerry Hall, AIDS hurts the Arts, Ribovarin, AIDS quarantine, ABC news Alcohol &… Internet Archive 1960s PHYSICAL BREAST EXAM PHYSICIAN TRAINING FILM BREAST CANCER DETECTION 60554 Film This incomplete color film with opening and closing titles missing offers an educational look at breast exam procedures in a doctor’s office, as well as… Internet Archive Christmas 1994 · Film · Subtitles "This video focuses on both the legendary and religious stories of Christmas to help children understand that there is more to the holiday than the department… Internet Archive The Navigators: pathfinders of the Pacific 1983 · Educational · 58 min · Subtitles From WorldCat: Follows archaeologists as they seek clues to the origins and achievements of ancient Polynesian seafarers. Shows the excavation of a powerful… Internet Archive Keep Off The Grass 1969 · Film Tom gets in trouble when his mother finds a joint in his room. Instead of punishing Tom, his father challenges him to learn more about marijuanas evil effects… Internet Archive Roots: 9 -- Chicken George, Part 2 1977 · Educational · 19 min · Subtitles Roots: 9 -- Chicken George, Part 2, Reel 2 Reel 1 available here Chicken George's reputation as a gamecock trainer continues to rise. When one of his cocks… Internet Archive Laurie Berkners Video Songbook 2001 · Film "Buzz with the bees, put a pig on your head, stomp like a dinosaur and jam with Victor Vito inside this collection of old and new Laurie Berkner favorites!" Internet Archive The World of Tomorrow 1984 · Educational · 45 min The World of Tomorrow Reel 2 Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film Internet Archive Bill Cosby On Prejudice 1971 · Film Presents black comedian Bill Cosby appearing in white make-up and green eye shadow in a special that discusses bigotry. Shows Cosby assuming the role of a… Internet Archive Maturing Female - A Stimulus film 1977 · Educational · 13 min Film presents a series of vignettes on the subject of women who are growing older. Internet Archive Omega 1970 · Educational · 12 min · Subtitles An experimental film, composed almost entirely of special effects, which deals with the death and rebirth of mankind. Search Educational Film Journals at… Internet Archive Roots: 9 -- Chicken George, Part 2 1977 · Educational · 30 min · Subtitles Roots: 9 -- Chicken George, Part 2, Reel 1 Reel 2 available here Chicken George's reputation as a gamecock trainer continues to rise. When one of his cocks… Internet Archive Reader Rabbit Sing-A-Song Adventures 2000 · Educational "Join Reader Rabbit and his pals at the all-you-can-eat diner where the musical specials of the day are featured on an amazing jukebox!" -- description from… Internet Archive Roots: 4--The Slave, Part 2 1977 · Educational · 44 min Roots: 4--The Slave, Part 2 Pride and homesickness continue to drive Kunta Kinte in his efforts to escape his new imprisonment. His brief encounter with… Internet Archive Trouble With Women, The 1959 · Film With such a provocative title, this film illustrates some of the perceived problems a supervisor might face working with women, but ultimately demonstrates… Internet Archive White Night Riot 1979 · Film Riot and destruction at City Hall in the wake of the slap-on-the-wrist manslaughter verdict against Dan White, murderer of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Internet Archive Emergency Childbirth 1961 · Film Shows how to render necessary assistance in the emergency delivery of a baby. Tells how to determine when delivery is too imminent to risk transportation to a… Internet Archive Goldilocks and the Three Bears 1958 · Film The classic fable is told with live trained bears and a cloyingly sweet young girl. To license this film and get a higher quality version for broadcast/film… Internet Archive 90 Day Wondering 1956 · Film 90 Day Wondering (1956) United States Army/Warner Bros. Directed by seasoned Warner Bros. animator Chuck Jones and featuring the voice of Mel Blanc, we see… Internet Archive Drive In Intermission 7 Short · 9 min Time to stretch your legs and get a snack. Complete intermission film. Suggestion: insert clip between two movies when creating your drive-in dvd. Internet Archive The Image of the city. 1973 · Educational · 15 min · Subtitles Made under the sponsorship of Westinghouse Electric Corp Released in 1969 under the title Photography and the city Internet Archive Classic Dope 1 1992 · Film · Subtitles April 1992 . Drugstore Cowboy censored. Eric Clapton, Tears in Heaven (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Black Crowes, NORML-Atlanta, medical marijuana. U2, “Angel in… Internet Archive Psychiatric Interview No.9 Follow-up Treatment 1967 · Interview · 29 min · Subtitles Psychiatric Interview No.9 Follow-up Treatment Shows work of British hospital specializing in treatment of military and civilian war neuroses: preliminary… Internet Archive Tomorrow Always Comes 1941 · Educational · Subtitles Promotes Bur-Mil Rayon Fabrics (at great length). Betty Furness who runs a fashion show Storyline: (1912) Two little girls fantasize about their clothes and… Internet Archive The Running, Jumping and Standing Still Film 1959 · Educational Director, Dick Lester Shows the antics of Peter Sellers and a group of actors who perform a series of outrageous studies in the English countryside Internet Archive DOPE 001 1986 · Film · Subtitles Dope, Baseball Drugs, Music Videos, Desperately Seeking Susan, Kids and Drug Abuse, The Color Purple, Geraldo Rivera on Drug Testing, Midnight Express, The… Internet Archive Squatter Punx Rock the Vats 1983 · Film The old Falstaff brewery became a home to punk rockers in the early 1980s before its demolition. Here's a glimpse of an impromptu concert outside.