Ephemeral films

3,649–3,696 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 A Touch of Sensitivity 1979 · Educational · 51 min Explores the hidden meaning and power of human touch, detailing the results of recent research into the importance of the tactile sense Internet Archive Fall of Babylon 1960 · Educational Title is from container Sequences from D.W. Griffith's greatest spectacular film, Intolerance, produced in 1916. Using a cast of thousands and a full-scale… Internet Archive A Better Illinois 1937 1937 · Film On Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in Illinois. Shows a dam at Greenville under construction. City streets are paved with brick, and sewer pipes… Internet Archive Islais Creek The Language Of Water March 7 2018 2018 · Film The “Language of Water” is a vision to retrofit strategic locations of the Islais Creek Watershed to reduce flood risk and invest in real resiliency from sea… Internet Archive Temples And Peace 1937 1937 · Film Reel 1 is missing. Reel 2, artifacts of mound building Indians are displayed in the Alabama Museum of Natural History at Tuscaloosa: pottery, stone and shell… Internet Archive Hunting Wild Geese for Market 1914 · Film Documentary about hunting in the Sacramento Delta, which ends with a plea for greater government regulation. Preserved in collaboration with the New Zealand… Internet Archive APOLLO 11 LUNAR LANDING & NEIL ARMSTRONG ON THE MOON JULY 16, 1969 (RAW FOOTAGE) 9379 Film This raw footage from July 16, 1969 shows the Apollo 11 lunar landing, shot on film, as well as TV footage (starting at 5:37) of astronaut Neil Armstrong on… Internet Archive Army-Navy Screen Magazine 1942 · Cartoon Cartoon voices, Mel Blanc Pt. 1. An observer company on the Burma-India border during World War II typifies many isolated and unheralded soldiers doing… Internet Archive Frames of Reference 1960 · Educational Based on the textbook Physics, by the Physical Science Study Committee Director, Richard Leacock; photographer, Abraham Morachuik; editor, Jack Kaufman… Internet Archive Night (Look Again series) 1989 · Educational · 9 min What is it about the night that stirs the imagination towards enchantment and mystery? A girl views the city at night from her balcony, wondering about the… Internet Archive Lets Keep Singing! John Langstaff Sings with Children Ages 7-10 1997 · Film "Captures Langstaff's passionate enthusiasm for engaging children in music as well as his remarkable ability to develop every child's innate musicality" --… Internet Archive The Secret Of Boldness 2002 · Film "Ray Comfort presents simple yet profound thoughts on effectively using our chief weapon for witnessing - the Bible...this video will challenge al of its… Internet Archive The Case Of Officer Hallibrand 1955 · Film The story of American driving habits from the point of view of the policeman. This film can be purchased on DVD and higher quality versions of the film can be… Internet Archive Mother Holle 1985 · Educational Title from data sheet U.S. version of the motion picture released in Austria under title: Frau Holle Intended audience: Kindergarten through intermediate… Internet Archive Nikon School Presents Masters of Travel: Spirit of Place: The Art of the Travelling Photographer 2000 · Film "Join travel photographer Bob Krist as he journeys through Italy to capture the "Spirit of Place.""-- description from box. Internet Archive Danger! Radioactive Waste 1977 · Educational · 50 min Examines current methods for the disposal of radioactive waste. Shows the growing pileup of radioactive waste and the lack of safe and satisfactory means for… Internet Archive New Lives for Old 1960 · Educational · 19 min New Lives for Old Search Educational Film Journals at Media History Project for references to this film SummaryDr Margaret Mead reviews a case history in… Internet Archive How To Be A Friend 1977 · Educational · 11 min Explores qualities which help to create rewarding friendships, such as trust, shared interests, supportiveness, and candor. Internet Archive Scruffy 1959 · Cartoon Story of a kitten who ran away from home. He meets new animal friends and they share several adventures. But when danger comes they realize that running away… Internet Archive Story Of A Storm 1972 · Film Describes how the Navy Weather Service helps Navy and cargo ships to avoid adverse weather conditions. Burl Ives narrates. All about the Navy's Weather… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "Beginning Metric Measurement Filmstrip 1: Length" 1974 · 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 Check the Neck Film A film made for police, firemen and first responders to alert them to special care that needs to be taken when rescuitating a laryngectomee - a person whose… Internet Archive Let’s Go America! America Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 1936 · Film One of many films sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers during the Depression to foster faith in the economic leadership of its corporate… Internet Archive Rail Roads: End of the Line 1961 · Educational · 54 min Rail Roads: End of the Line Summary Describes the role of the railroad in the development of the West during the twenties and thirties. Discusses some of the… Internet Archive Sharing the Leadership 1963 · Educational · 28 min Explores three categories of individual action - selfserving, task and group - serving functions - and their relationship to group leadership. Demonstrates… Internet Archive The Planar Double Pendulum 1984 · Educational · 28 min Title from data sheet A foreign film (West Germany) College students and adults Uses the example of the planar double pendulum to demonstrate the physical… Internet Archive Campfire: Sarah Brandt 2014 · Film Sarah Brandt is a San Francisco public school teacher and lifelong City dweller, who is currently being Ellis Act evicted from her Mission District apartment,… Internet Archive William Holden: The Golden Boy 1989 · Educational Documentary Narrator: Richard Kiley Editors, Stephanie Palewksi, Ann Borin A look at the life and film career of William Holden. Featured are comments by… Internet Archive Is A Career In Radio Or Television For You? 1970 · Film Library of Career Counseling Films Series Surveys job opportunities in the field of broadcasting. This film can be purchased on DVD and higher quality… Internet Archive Scientific Method 1954 · Film Explains the elements of the scientific method of problem solving, and the way this method is applied by scientists. Discusses the value of scientific… Internet Archive Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, 6 -- Roads from the Ghetto 1984 · Educational · 32 min Title from data sheet Junior high school students through adults Host Abba Eban explores Jewish culture and civilization from 1789 to 1917. Covers the… Internet Archive Skylab, Program 6: Magnetic Effects in Space 1973 · Film Demonstrates the effect of the Earth’s magnetic field on small bar magnets Dr. Owen Garriott carried up in Skylab. He explains the tendency of magnets to line… Internet Archive The Computer Programme: 8 -- Artificial Intelligence 1982 · Educational Produced by the BBC. Narrated by Chris Serle and Ian McNaught-Davis Do computers think? Roger Schank of Yale University relates recent developments in… Internet Archive Mountain Bike Mania 1988 · Film "..this is a must-have guide to finding fit, frame and features that are best for you...learn how to get more out of biking with this fast-paced, adventure… Internet Archive Talk to the Animals (1978) 1978 · Cartoon · 12 min Shows scientists communicating with apes by teaching them sign language and through the use of a talking typewriter or computer. Points out that these… Internet Archive America:13 the More Abundant Life 1972 · Educational · 53 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Civilisation: 10 -- The Smile of Reason 1969 · Educational -----Another issue. 35 mm Writer and narrator, Kenneth Clark Surveys the development of western civilization during the 18th century as shown in the art and… Internet Archive The Man in the Doorway 1957 · Film Film made to celebrate the chemical company’s 50th anniversary and to promote the role of chemistry in resource conservation and agriculture. A ghost from… Internet Archive Comparative Tests On A Human And A Chimpanzee Infant Of Approximately The Same Age, Pt 2 1932 · Film Compares the reactions of a normal human infant between the ages of 10 and 14.5 months to psychological tests, and the responses of a chimpanzee companion,… Internet Archive Lady Fishbourne's Complete Guide to Better Table Manners 1976 · Educational Producers, Wolf Koenig, Derek Lamb; director, Janet Perlman; narrators, Debby Adelmaid, John Weldon; animation, Pierre Provost, Simon Leblanc, Alan Ward An… Internet Archive Natural Areas Lobos Valley Sept 30 2023 2023 · Film An excerpt from the longer video, highlighting the presentation in Lobos Valley at the southwestern corner of the Presidio next to Lobos Creek. Peter Brastow,… Internet Archive Rivers: The Work of Running Water 1981 · Educational CLICK HERE TO SEE THE STUDY GUIDE FOR THIS FILM Compares the Colorado and Mississippi rivers and reveals how running water sculpts the geologic features of… Internet Archive Filmstrip: "The Skeletal and Muscle Systems" 1977 · 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 Animals in Autumn and Winter 1983 · Educational Title from data sheet Consultant, William V. Mayer Revised edition of: Animals in autumn. 1957 Intended audience: Primary and intermediate grades Issued… Internet Archive The Captain Is a Lady 1983 · Educational Title from data sheet Originally broadcast on the CBS television program entitled: 60 minutes Intended audience: Junior high school students through adults… Internet Archive A Better New York State 1937 1937 · Film On Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in New York. Shows a reservoir at Albany under construction. Garments for relief families are made in WPA… Internet Archive Albert Schweitzer 1957 · Educational · 35 min Narrative written by Albert Schweitzer ; narrative spoken by Frederic March ; introductory commentary written by Thomas Bruce Morgan ; introductory commentary… Internet Archive International space station : countdown to launch. 1998 · Film This live, interactive event is designed to give students an inside look at the international space station and inspire interest in scientific and technical…