Prelinger Archives

1,489–1,536 of 10,345 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 The Water Cycle 1947 · Film · Subtitles "Shows the movements of water from ocean to sky to rain to streams, rivers and back to oceans. The motion picture describes by actual photography and… Internet Archive Story Of Our Flag 1938 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Follows the evolution of the flag of the United States from the colonial flags to the stars and stripes of today. Shows by animation the development of the… Internet Archive Balance 1935 · Film · Subtitles DRAMATIZES THE BALANCE PERFORMANCE OF THE MODERN AUTOMOBILE, SHOWING HOW ALL PARTS WORK TOGETHER. Onscreen footage: horse-drawn Borden's milk wagon… Internet Archive People's Park 1968 · Film · Subtitles from Roz Payne Archives: In the spring of 1969 , the Berkeley street community initiated a project to transform a barren and unused university-owned Lot into… Internet Archive Government Workers 1960 · Film · Subtitles [time codes below correspond to PA-0765, though this may be an error and the film may only be on PA-0750] 14:00:31:02 Great shot looking down Pennsylvania… Internet Archive Golden Gate City Short · 9 min · Subtitles The World Parade, produced by Castle Films, distributed by University of Alabama 0659 PA8627 Golden Gate City Internet Archive Earthquake 1973 · Short · 26 min · Subtitles San Fernando Valley earthquake of Feb. 1971, Sylmar, California. Internet Archive Secret of American Production, The 1955 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Free-enterprise-oriented lecture on the successes of the American economic system. With Prof. Clifton L. Ganus of Harding College, Searcy, Ark. Internet Archive Mailman 1947 · Film · Subtitles Designed to show primary grade pupils how the United States post office system operates. Follows both a city and a rural mailman on their appointed rounds and… Internet Archive Radio at War 1944 · Short · 20 min · Subtitles Communications and communicators facilitate World War II. Internet Archive Alternatives 1958 · Film · Subtitles 09:01:16:21 Young man in plaid shirt hammers sign into ground “City Rehousing Project No. 31.” 09:08:43:21 VS expressionistic cartoon of man contemplating… Internet Archive [Manhattan Landmarks] 2026 · Film · Subtitles Short pieces produced from Pathé News footage. America's Changing Scene: The End of the "El": On the end of the Third Avenue El (elevated rapid transit… Internet Archive Spider Engineers 1956 · Short · 16 min · Subtitles The spider is shown to be an engineer of great skill and versatility. There are an estimated 100,000 species of spiders. In this study four typical species… Internet Archive 1952 Chevrolet Advertising 1951 · Film · Subtitles 20:43:35:23 Great shot of 1950s U.S. Air Force F5-028 army jet plane does 360 degree spin. 20:43:52:19 CU low-angle 1950s baseball player takes swing at ball;… Internet Archive Great Rights, The 1963 · Film · Subtitles Animated film about constitutional rights and civil rights. Animated cartoon; drawings in unique expressionistic style; deals with censorship and the Bill of… Internet Archive Unique Contribution, The (Part I) 1959 · Educational · 13 min · Subtitles How educational films contribute to teaching and learning. With many examples taken from scientific and historical films. Internet Archive Home Electrical, The 1915 · Film · Subtitles Great old-fashioned silent film with great intertitles. 01:01:58:22 Great shot of electric horseless carriage-style automobile; men drive off in early… Internet Archive Science in Action: Radar Defense Screen (Part II) 1956 · Film · Subtitles Kinescope of Fifties science TV program featuring discussions and demonstrations. In this episode, host Earl Herald interviews Brigadeer General James W.… Internet Archive See (No. 6) 1930 · Film · Subtitles Monkey Whoopee! Monkey circus. Costumed chimpanzees. A modern William Tell. Archer shoots balloon out of woman's mouth Giants Tumble! Daredevil lumberjacks… Internet Archive Glacier International Park 1930 · Film · Subtitles Great scenic footage in Glacier National Park Montana. 1930s (?) tourism in the National Park, and modern hotels. 15:42:13:22 Great shot CU spinning… Internet Archive Great Railroad at Work, A 1942 · Film · Subtitles Excellent film of a Southern New England railroad in early 1940s. Superb shots of steam engines in motion, "ALL ABOARD!" yelled by the conductor (some of our… Internet Archive Doctor in Industry (Part III) 1946 · Short · 18 min · Subtitles Epic history of industrial medicine in the first half of the 20th century, showing how manufacturers and the medical profession came to terms with one another… Internet Archive How to Buy Meat (Part II) 1970 · Film · Subtitles Presents a U. S. Department of Agriculture's consumer meat specialist who gives valuable tips on buying and preparing meat by using the USDA grades of… Internet Archive Safe Roads 1935 · Film · Subtitles The driving of an automobile is compared with running a train on the railroad. The driver is an engineer on whose observance of the rules of driving and the… Internet Archive Westinghouse Traveler's Choice 66 1966 · Film · Subtitles Promotional film aimed at retail sales outlets of air conditioners; many different models are shown. Trips are promised to successful salespeople. Clips are… Internet Archive Home Electrical Appliances 1944 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Principles and maintenance of everyday appliances. Internet Archive On the Run 1956 · Film · Subtitles About well-behaved teenagers who compete in the Mobilgas Economy Run. Excellent teens dancing in San Francisco malt shop. This film, narrated by a teen-age… Internet Archive Hired! 1940 · Short · 18 min · Subtitles Quirky Chevrolet sales film. Internet Archive Long Street, The 1957 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles How the Salvation Army responds to human needs. Includes many images of depressed neighborhoods and skid rows in San Francisco and other California cities, as… Internet Archive Trail of the Rocket 1951 · Film · Subtitles Mary Kay and Johnny; Johnny is suspicious of whom he considers to be Martian spies. Internet Archive [San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Groundbreaking] 1932 · Short · 7 min · Subtitles Dignitaries celebrate the beginning of construction on this important structure. Internet Archive Finding Your Life Work 1940 · Film · Subtitles Some good stock shots to be logged. Appraisal. Reported good for (1) indicating steps in a systematic selection of a vocation, (2) suggesting the character… Internet Archive Developing Friendships 1950 · Film · Subtitles WHILE A GROUP OF FRIENDS WAIT FOR JOE AT THE RR STATION, 1 BOY REMINISCES ABOUT HOW JOE HAS TAUGHT HIM THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIPS & HOW TO DEVELOP AN… Internet Archive Hoppy, the Bunny: Background for Reading and Expression 1953 · Film · Subtitles TEACHER PRESENTS A BOOK ABOUT A BUNNY. SHIFTS TO A REAL RABBIT LEAVING HIS TREE HOME FOR A DAY OF ADVENTURE. HE MEETS A RACCOON, OWL, VISITS A FARM WHERE HE… Internet Archive Age of Turmoil 1953 · Short · 18 min · Subtitles An afternoon and evening in the complicated lives of six teenagers. Internet Archive At the End of the Rainbow 1946 · Film · Subtitles HISTORY & PHYSICS OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT & ITS HEALTH-GIVING PROPERTIES. PLUGS manufacturer's own EQUIPMENT. Internet Archive Nature of Sound, The 1948 · Film · Subtitles SHOWS HOW PHIL USING HIS AMATEUR RADIO EQUIPMENT TO DEMONSTRATE TO JIMMY THE NATURE OF SOUND. DEMONSTRATES THE VARIOUS MEDIA WHICH TRANSMIT SOUND, THE WAVES… Internet Archive Tragedy or Hope 1972 · Short · 24 min · Subtitles Educating 1960s campus protesters as to "what's right with America." Internet Archive Hear and Now 1958 · Film · Subtitles A film about the history and importance of radio. The film covers the development of radio and its impact on people's lives, from its use as a tool for… Internet Archive Henry Ford's Mirror of America 1962 · Film · Subtitles Compilation of images and sequences from the Ford Film Collection, covering United States history, culture, industry and daily life between about 1914 and 1945. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Wathen Collection: European Trip, 1930s] 1930 · Home movie · Subtitles Please note that Parts 1 and 2 reflect the division of the film into two parts in the Internet Archive online collection.Part 1, bw00:00 TITLE Vagabonds… Internet Archive Another Cup Of Coffee 1948 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Seeks to create in minds of Prudential salesmen a favorable attitude toward prospective insurance buyers. Points out variety of prospect sources & presents… Internet Archive Folgers Coffee Commercial 2 1960 · Commercial · Subtitles Folgers Coffee TV Commercial Internet Archive Conquer by the Clock 1943 · Film · Subtitles Encourages American wartime workers to "keep their sleeves rolled up." Describes the volume of industrial and agricultural production that can be accomplished… Internet Archive Life Is a Lark at Willow Grove Park 1956 · Film · Subtitles Features bands playing at music stand; plus 20 minute film of amusement park, rides and circus. Internet Archive Are You a Good Citizen? 1949 · Film · Subtitles Discusses the qualities of a good citizen and the role of Democratic institutions with which he is concerned. 20:01:20 Checklist For Good Citizen 20:02:02 CU… Internet Archive Look at Pontiac for 1954! 1953 · Film · Subtitles 1954 Pontiac advertising film. Great shots of Pontiac showroom cars on rotating platforms. VS POV from inside Pontiac driving on race tracks and open road.… Internet Archive Protecting Poultry Profits (Part II) 1952 · Short · 11 min · Subtitles Drugs to keep chickens healthy. Includes disturbing images of necropsies and sick chicks.