Ephemeral films

3,121–3,168 of 19,489 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 Threshold 1970 · Educational Copyright date on film: copyright 1970 by Maynard Lovins Running time: 25:35 A dream-like film of a young man running away from trauma: his father beats his… Internet Archive Lilias Meditation Workout Series For Beginners 1996 · Film "...Lilias has introduced thousands of people to the wonderful benefits of Yoga. She will show you new ways to increase energy, fitness and relaxation and… Internet Archive DOPE 379 2002 · Film · Subtitles Ed Rosenthal Trial, Marijuana Logs, WAMM bust See scans of liner notes for detailed content. Internet Archive The drama coach grievance. 1971 · Educational · 19 min · Subtitles A film of an arbitration case from the files of the American Arbitration Association Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references… Internet Archive Getting Along With Parents 1953 · Film Shows the conflict between six teen-agers and their respective parents in a situation designed to provoke discussion. Emphasizes that each generation must… Internet Archive Hidden San Francisco Stop L 11 Harry Bridges Plaza 2020 · Film In February 2020, Pluto Press published Hidden San Francisco: The Guide to Lost Landscapes, Unsung Heroes, and Radical Histories by Chris Carlsson. This… Internet Archive Palladio: Three Villas 1978 · Educational Tim Benton Patrick Throughton A guided tour through three Italian villas designed by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio Internet Archive Watching Birds with Roger Tory Peterson 1981 · Educational A description of bird watching with the renowned authority and author of many guides on the subject Internet Archive WWII ARMY GROUND FORCES TRAINING FILM " HOW TO GET KILLED IN ONE EASY LESSON " 1943 85834 Film This black & white film military training film "How to Get Killed in One Easy Lesson" was shown to infantry recruits during WWII. It is part of a series of… Internet Archive Last Date 1950 · Film Insurance company–sponsored safety film targeting teenage drivers. The drama centers on a reckless driver, who together with his girlfriend, takes one risk… Internet Archive Liftoff to Learning: Lets Talk Robotics 1998 · Talk This episode of Liftoff to Learning examines some of NASA’s robotic research and how robots are used in space exploration. Classroom scenes show robot study… Internet Archive Saturday Night at Fort Apache 1973 · Educational · 23 min Documents the difficulties and frustrations of urban law enforcement officers. focuses on the specific problems of the policemen of the South Bronx 41st… Internet Archive Dostoevsky (1821-1881) 1975 · Educational · 55 min Director, Pat Ferns; photographer, John Griffin; editor, Roger Pyke; music, Hagood Hardy; script, narrator, Malcolm Muggeridge Malcolm Muggeridge explores… Internet Archive Sulawesi: Island of Discovery 1985 · Educational Title from data sheet Originally shown on the television program: Wildlife on one Senior high school through college students and adults Explores Sulawesi,… Internet Archive People Who Fight Pollution Short · 16 min Presents an air pollution inspector, a rubbish collector and a foreman in a glass recycling factory who talk about their involvement and pride in the work… Internet Archive Seeds Of Destiny 1946 · Film Describes the conditions of hunger and destitution which follow war. Points out that these conditions are today's threat to the lives and health of Asians and… Internet Archive The Blue Dashiki 1969 · Educational With teacher's guide Collaborator, Roach Van Allen Also issued in b & w Follows the adventures of a young boy as he seeks to earn money in order to buy a… Internet Archive Angel Death 1979 · Educational Title from data sheet Longer version (48 min.) also issued Also issued as videorecording Producers, John Cosgrove, Charles Klasky; director, John Cosgrove… Internet Archive Mark Twain Gives an Interview 1961 · Interview · 14 min Hal Holbrook's classic impersonation of Mark Twain is re-created in this interview with the author of some of the most beloved and widely-read works in… Internet Archive Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire 1979 · Educational Reviews the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire and discusses reasons for the loss of life in fires of this type Internet Archive Full-Moon Lunch 1976 · Educational Producer, director, John Nathan Explores the professional and personal lives of a Japanese family Internet Archive Psychopath 1961 · Educational · 27 min Filmed at Verdun Protestant Hospital, Montreal Consultant, H.E. Lehmann ; editor, Fergus McDonell Interviewer and commentator: H.B. Durost A study of… Internet Archive The Cave People of the Philippines 1972 · Educational Examines the culture and daily lives of the Tasaday people, a primitive tribe discovered in the Philippines in 1971 Internet Archive Girl shy. [Motion picture] 1976 · Educational · 26 min Reissue of the silent 35 mm. motion picture with music added Also issued as videocassette Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for… Internet Archive Alexander Baxter 1985 · Educational Title from data sheet Ages 6-10 Using live action, musical accents, and dialogue, tells the story of Alexander Baxter, an orphaned cat that finds a new home… Internet Archive Toys 1967 · Educational French version released under the title Jouets Producer and director, Grant Munro; scenario, Margaret Westcott; camera, Jean Roy, Paul Leach; editor, Roy… Internet Archive Anna and Bella 1984 · Cartoon Filmmaker, Borge Ring ; assistant director, Hans Perk ; keyboards, Jan Huydts ; music theme, Oluf Ring Two elderly sisters spend an exciting evening with an… Internet Archive Medieval Society: The Villagers 1976 · Educational Depicts life in the Middle Ages, showing medieval villagers, including a reeve and a serf, explaining something of their life and work This film isn't in the… Internet Archive Drive-in: Showtime-Montage-Music Film runs only a few seconds. suggestion; insert clip directly before first feature when creating drive-in dvd Internet Archive Talking Car, The 1953 · Film Presents a 'SPORTSMANLIKE WALKING' picture for boys and girls not yet old enough for a course in 'SPORTSMANLIKE DRIVING.'. Internet Archive The Plow That Broke The Plains 1937 · Film The film presents the social and economic history of the Great Plains -- from the time of the settlement of the prairies, through the World War I boom, to the… Internet Archive The Making of a Continent II Part 1 Collision Course 1986 · Educational · 58 min Examines the traumatic geologic events that led to the shaping of the North American continent. Visits the Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territory,… Internet Archive Wire Sculpture 1973 · Educational · 13 min Explores the work and philosophy of American artist Joe Police as he creates works of kinetic wire sculpture Internet Archive Drizzle Gard (from Drive-In Movie Ads) Commercial Category: Drive-In Movie Ads Title: Drizzle Gard (from Drive-In Movie Ads) Length- :42 Sound: Yes Black and White Description: Black and white ad for Drizzle… Internet Archive Civilisation: 13 -- Heroic Materialism 1969 · Educational -----Another issue. 35 mm Writer and narrator, Kenneth Clark Surveys the development of western civilization during the 1900's as evidenced in the advance… Internet Archive USA 1936 1936 · Film On theater projects of the Works Progress Administration. WPA theater units present vaudeville shows (comedy teams, dancers, singers), minstrel and marionette… Internet Archive Basic Electricity: 9 -- Inductance 1982 · Educational Consultant, James M. McGrath, Lane Technical High School, Chicago Covers effect of a magnet on a coil; e.m.f. of self-induction; Lenz's law; inductor-choke;… Internet Archive Johnson and Reconstruction 1942 · Educational · 38 min Johnson and Reconstruction Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film SummaryAn excerpt from the 1942 feature film… Internet Archive Hardest Working Dollar, The 1971 · Film Describes what the Unemployment Insurance Program means to the American worker, employer, government and the economy. Help us get more films like this online!… Internet Archive Grover Cleveland, Profiles In Courage series episode #21 1965 · Educational A documentary profile of Grover Cleveland. Explores the motivation of President Cleveland in vetoing the dependent pensions bill for Civil War veterans in… Internet Archive The Adams Chronicles: 10 -- John Quincy Adams: Congressman (1830-1848) 1976 · Educational · 1 h Title from data sheet Prepared in conjunction with Jack Shepherd's book entitled The Adams chronicles Also issued as videorecording Details John Quincy… Internet Archive A newspaper serves its community 1959 · Film Follows the reporting of a local news event, showing the step-by-step processes of writing, editing, printing, and delivery of a newspaper. Describes the… Internet Archive Addition and Subtraction Algorithms 1965 · Educational · 21 min Introduces addition and subtraction algorithms based upon their properties and previously learned facts about the numeration system. Introduces the Israeli… Internet Archive The TVA At Work 1935 1935 · Film Reel 1 shows rain storms and flooded streams, the flooded Tennessee River valley, Norris Dam and Wilson Dam, and a panorama of eroded land. Phosphate… Internet Archive BUILDING THE B-24 BOMBER DURING WWII " STORY OF WILLOW RUN " 74182 Film Made by the Ford Motor Company during WWII, "The Story of Willow Run" explains the company's role in producing the Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber.… Internet Archive Bears and Man 1978 · Educational Title from data sheet Direction and photography, Bill Schmalz; storyline and editing, Kalle Lasn; narrators, Patricia Best, Chief Dan George Offers footage… Internet Archive Moonwalk, Episode 1: The Day Before 1970 · Film Highlights the mood of the people during the long-awaited Apollo 11 mission. This unprecedented journey captured the heart of all the world. To license this… Internet Archive Primitive Peoples: The Hunt 1950 · Educational Shows the Mewite tribe of Australian aborigines making spears and domestic implements. Documents a kangaroo hunt, during which the men of the tribe use magic…