Ephemeral films

3,553–3,600 of 19,487 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 National Parks: Playground or Paradise? 1980 · Educational · 58 min Title from data sheet Issued also as videorecording Presents both sides of the ongoing debate between conservationists and environmentalists over the use of… Internet Archive Adam And Eve Film We digitized and uploaded this film from the Orgone Cinema 16mm Archive Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are… Internet Archive Mary Kay Color Awareness 1985 · Film Cosmetic color advice from Mary Kay Cosmetics, featuring directors Annette Burton, Anita Dellwo, Mona Holte and Sue Kirkpatrick. Internet Archive Trucs Of The Trade 1990 · Film "Come into the kitchens of America's finest chefs and let them show you their favorite trucs (French for 'tricks')-the special hints and shortcuts they've… Internet Archive A Good Thing About Spots 1989 · Educational Cataloged from contributor's data Kindergarten through intermediate grades Tells in verse the story of Sabu, a leopard cub on the African savannah, who… Internet Archive Halley: A Comet Returns 1985 · Educational · 31 min Beginning with a general introduction to comets, the film explores the history of Halley's Comet and advises how it may best be observed and photographed Internet Archive Optics: Making Light Work 1993 · Film This program demonstrates that the basic science concepts taught in the classroom have applications in the very specialized work done by NASA. Includes a… Internet Archive Snooky’s Twin Troubles 1921 · Film Two-reeler in which Snooky the Humanzee, a chimp with the smarts of Rin Tin Tin, plies his detective skills to find kidnapped twins. Preserved in… Internet Archive The Great War 1965 · Educational Producer, Frank Bagnall; director, Alan Anderson; script, Colin Free, John Morris; sound, Gordon Wraxall; music, Robert Hughes, Clive Douglas Commentator:… Internet Archive Language They Speak, The Film Talks about how the deaf are capable data processing / computer employees. The Girl: Harriet Herman. The Boy: David Machin. Photography: Jules Sindic. Music:… Internet Archive Cameras And Careers 1960 · Educational · 26 min Depicts the various careers possible in the field of photography, and shows how the camera is used in engineering and in medical and scientific research. Internet Archive The Birth of Modern Theater: Chekhov's Uncle Vanya in Perspective 1975 · Educational · 45 min VHS Original title: Di͡adi͡a Vani͡a John Dexter Starring Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Rosemary Harris, and Joan Plowright Analyzes Chekhov's dramatic… Internet Archive The Writer in America: Toni Morrison 1978 · Educational Producer, director, Richard O. Moore Shows Toni Morrison in a variety of locations. Her commentary provides an incisive look behind her written words, and at… Internet Archive Watunna 1989 · Educational "Based on the book 'Watunna, an Orinoco creation cycle' by Marc de Civrieux, translated to English by David Guss." Various designs inspired by Precolumbian… Internet Archive 1960s HOLLYWOOD HOME MOVIES - STARS JULIE NEWMAR, HENRY SILVA CAST OF "L'IL ABNER" 58744 Home movie Shot by an unknown amateur filmmaker, this 1958 or 1959 color home movie captures scenes from the life of a Hollywood husband and wife as they enjoy leisure… Internet Archive 25 Years of Progress - Episode 12 - Shuttle Era 1983 · Film With the premier flight of the shuttle Columbia in April, 1981, the era of the reusable space transportation system began. Seven months later Columbia was… Internet Archive Health In Our Community 1958 · Film Dramatizes the work of the Department of Health in dealing with unsanitary living conditions, accidents, contagious disease and the danger of contaminated… Internet Archive Smokey's Story 1971 · Film Dennis Weaver sees a boy playing with matches in the woods, and so he retells the story of Little Smokey, the cub who survived a forest fire. This film can be… Internet Archive Basic Electricity: 4 -- Current Flow 1982 · Educational Consultant, James M. McGrath, Lane Technical High School, Chicago Covers electron current and conventional current; magnetic field around a wire; "left-hand… Internet Archive CBS News Anti Drug Ads 1987 · Film From liner note: "Media Dope crusade, CBS ad blitz, 5 March 87 This capture retrieved from Dope 18, http://archive.org/details/DOPE018/ Internet Archive The Greater Call 1910 · Film Melodrama about an actress who must choose between career and family. Preserved in collaboration with the New Zealand Film Archive and UCLA Film & Television… Internet Archive Flow Of Electricity 1946 · Film Presents factors that affect the flow of electricity in a simple circuit and application of such a circuit in the home. We digitized and uploaded this film… Internet Archive The Boston Tea Party 1955 · Educational Reduction print of the 35 mm. motion picture made for the CBS television program You are there With film users' guide Describes the efforts of the Boston… Internet Archive The Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis (1963) 1963 · Educational · 28 min The Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis (1963) Examines the plight of American farmers who were forced off their farms by drought and foreclosure during the 1930's. Internet Archive 1934 Big Strike 90th Anniversary Presentations 2024 · Film On the 90th anniversary of “Bloody Thursday” (July 5, 1934), a series of presentations revisit the actual Big Strike on San Francisco’s waterfront that led to… Internet Archive The Atom Comes to Town 1957 · Film Promotional film showing the role of atomic energy in medicine, agriculture, industry, and research and the potential for nuclear-generated electrical power.… Internet Archive Moonwalk, Episode 3: One Small Step 1970 · Film Focuses on Neil Armstrong’s historical first step on the Moon’s surface. To license this film and get a higher quality version for broadcast/film purposes,… Internet Archive Music Lessons 1981 · Educational Awards: Learning magazine award; first prize, MIFED; red ribbon, American Film Festival; 1982 CINE Golden Eagle Edited by Joyce Chopra Narrator: Tom Cole… Internet Archive 25 Years of Progress - Episode 11 - Plantary Discoveries 1983 · Film A brief overview of NASA technology during the years of 1979 and 1980. Some of the highlights include Voyager’s flyby of Jupiter, Pioneers flyby of Saturn,… Internet Archive Practical Marine Electrical Knowledge Pt 5, 6, 7 1992 · Film part 5 - Ancillary electrical services, part 6 - Special electrical practice for oil, gas, and chemical tankers, part 7 -Electrical survey requirements Internet Archive Everything Is Aware Process 1969 · Educational Dr. Frederick Perls describes how the Gestalt approach can help to unify one's concept of total existence. Focusing on a vivid dream experienced by a… Internet Archive Purely Coincidental 1970 · Film Deals with two guys - one works at a pet food plant, the other at a food plant and how their carelessness kills a dog and makes a daughter very sick. Features… Internet Archive His Mother's Thanksgiving 1910 · Film Family melodrama showing what happens when a successful son tries to celebrate the holidays without his mother. Preserved in collaboration with the New… Internet Archive Operation Hardtack-1 - Maple 52204 2017 · Film Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNy6bvIK5fA Uploader: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Upload date: 2017-03-13 Internet Archive Art of the Middle Ages (1963) 1963 · Educational · 29 min Art of the Middle Ages (1963) Illustrates and explains graphic design as a problem in communications. Uses the comments of faculty and the work of students at… Internet Archive Black American Odyssey 1987 · Educational The events and personalities of 200 years of Black American history Part 1. Road to freedom, 1770-1900 -- Part 2. Attacking the color barrier, 1900-1963 --… Internet Archive Colonial Children 1939 · Educational Elementary social studies series Re-enacts the home life and self-sufficiency of a family in colonial New England during the late 17th century. Describes how… Internet Archive Symbol Boy 1976 · Educational Also issued with magnetic sound track Producers, Bruce Moir, Bob Kingsbury Uses animated drawings in order to introduce the basic vocabulary of Blissymbols.… Internet Archive " THE TIME OF MAN " 1969 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & ANTHROPOLOGY DOCUMENTARY w/ MARGARET MEAD XD38924 Documentary This 1969 film "The Time of Man" presents an overview of human development, highlighting historic threats to survival (TRT 49:15). It was directed by Marshall… Internet Archive Rainbow Grocery Cooperative May 22 2024 2024 · Film RAINBOW GROCERY Cooperative, a long-time supporter of Shaping San Francisco’s Public programming, will be our featured guests. Rainbow has been a steady… Internet Archive The Middle East: New Frontiers 1984 · Educational Title from data sheet A foreign film (Canada) Fifth in a series of fourteen programs originally shown on television Intended audience: Junior high school… Internet Archive Recreation Resources 1935 1935 · Film On State Parks of West Virginia. Reel 1, views of cities, factories, steel furnaces, hydroelectric plants, rivers, canals, and locks depict the State's… Internet Archive Un Bebe Saludable 2000 · Film · Subtitles State of California-produced infant-care video for Spanish-speaking new mothers. Internet Archive " THE EXECUTIONERS " NUREMBERG TRIALS OF WWII GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS (PART 1) 15004 Film "The Executioners", aka "Hitler's Executioners", dates to 1961 and was based on articles by Joseph J. Heydecker and Johannes Leeb in "Münchener Illustrierte".… Internet Archive Abstractions 1967 · Educational An abstract film in which vivid colors in many shapes are melted together to the accompaniment of fast-paced music Internet Archive December 7: Day of Infamy 1963 · Educational Documents the events that led to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the unauthorized attack on Manchuria, the sinking of the USS Panay, the negotiations between… Internet Archive Home for Christmas 1981 · Educational Title from data sheet Issued also as videorecording A young boy in strangely outdated garb passes unnoticed through the Christmas Eve crowds on a journey… Internet Archive Minnie the Moocher and Many, Many More 1981 · Educational Produced and directed by Manny Pittson A nostalgic tour through the great Harlem jazz clubs of the 1930s and '40s, led by Harlem born personality Cab…