Prelinger Archives

1,777–1,824 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 Radio and Television 1940 · Film · Subtitles Appraisal. Good for (1) showing occupations in radio and television, (2) giving impressions of the nature of the work and the training required in various… Internet Archive Industry on Parade: Plastic Age Anniversary Short · 8 min · Subtitles Industry on Parade: A Pictorial Review of Events in Business and Industry, produced weekly by the National Association of Manufacturers. 0590 PA8201 Industry… Internet Archive Science in Action: Rivers of Ice (Part II) Short · 15 min · Subtitles Kinescope of Fifties science TV program featuring discussions and demonstrations. This program is devoted to glaciers, and also includes a promo for the… Internet Archive Interview With Bobby Seale 1969 · Film · Subtitles Documentary film centered on a prison interview with Black Panther Party Chairman Bobby Seale, in which he describes his treatment in prison and comments on… Internet Archive Appointment with Disaster 1956 · Film · Subtitles Shows three men, each in a hurry, driving their cars too fast and recklessly, and as a result the three cars meet for an appointment with disaster. Internet Archive Wild Fowl In Slow Motion 1947 · Film · Subtitles 00: Fowl flying in air Duck with babies swimming in water Mallard ducks floating over waves Duck dunks head into water Bird flying - shot from below - large… Internet Archive Electrons in a Uniform Magnetic Field 1959 · Film · Subtitles Dorothy Montgomery uses a Leybold tube to measure the curvature of the path of the electrons in a magnetic field and thus determine the mass of the electron. Internet Archive Data Processing Division 2026 · Film · Subtitles 22:01:45:13 1970s women in office working at keyboards on machines printing envelopes. 22:02:00:22 Moving camera behind women working at desks in large… Internet Archive Farther Faster Safer 2026 · Film · Subtitles Many shots to be logged. Montage of early transportation: covered wagon, steam train, etc. Streamlined train Racing car trials at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah… Internet Archive Heritage for Victory 1940 · Film · Subtitles Some good shots to be logged.Telephones World War II home front Man tells the story of American communications from Gray & Barton, Edison and Bell and the… Internet Archive Development of a Salamander 1920 · Short · 14 min · Subtitles Early biological film. Internet Archive Wonderland Of Vision 1948 · Film · Subtitles Provides a detailed explanation of the anatomy of the eye, the process of creating eyeglasses, and the importance of regular eye examinations. It highlights… Internet Archive Show 'Em the Road 1954 · Film · Subtitles The juvenile officer of a town explains the safety and economy competition to the police department, a two-day 663 mile route -- "starting in Lynwood and… Internet Archive Humphrey Campaign 1968 · Film · Subtitles 06:37:55:19 Man seated in front of American flag announces into microphone that “Governor Dewey will carry New York state by at least 50,000 votes, and that… Internet Archive This is Robert: A Study of Personality Growth in a Preschool Child 1942 · Film · Subtitles Traces the development of Robert, an aggressive, "difficult", yet appealing child, from his arrival in nursery school at two up through his first year in a… Internet Archive Unisphere: Biggest World on Earth, The 1964 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Designing and building the symbol of the 1964 New York World's Fair. Internet Archive Attitudes and Health 1949 · Film · Subtitles Demonstrates how self-confidence and right attitudes are necessary to good health. Reveals how attitudes toward seemingly unrelated happenings, such as… Internet Archive Roads South 1943 · Short · 17 min · Subtitles Compares various modes of transportation in Latin America and explains why airways have been widely developed. Internet Archive Golden Years, The 1960 · Film · Subtitles Bowling made respectable and appealing to middle-class Americans through modernization and "Populuxe" design. Internet Archive What Makes A Good Party? 1950 · Film · Subtitles Shows how to plan a party. Illustrates the skills which enable the guests to have fun together. Skeletal Entry Internet Archive Answer, An (Part I) 1962 · Film · Subtitles John F. Kennedy and other dignitaries review the second fleet and second marine division in action. Superb material of combat aircraft, battleships, carriers,… Internet Archive The House I Live In 1945 · Film · Subtitles Advocacy film commissioned by the civil rights organization to discourage ethnic and racial prejudice at the end of World War II. Frank Sinatra, apparently… Internet Archive Printing 1947 · Film · Subtitles ILLUSTRATES THE OPPORTUNITIES & TRAINING AVAILABLE IN THE FIELD OF PRINTING. SHOWS HAND TYPESETTING, LINOTYPE, MONOTYPE, DISPLAY, MAKE-UP & LAYOUT. Vocational… Internet Archive Insect Zoo 1950 · Short · 9 min · Subtitles Characteristics of insects in general are indicated and, by means of close-up photography, the distinguishing features of each insect are shown. Suggests that… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Aruba 1972] 1972 · Home movie · Subtitles Teenage boys and girls entering jet plane through jetway door Flight attendant in aisle serving VS out windows and of passengers Aerials Landing on runway VS… Internet Archive World At Your Call 1950 · Film · Subtitles Excellent color shots of transportation circa 1950 (car, train, and plane) this film deals with the wonders of long-distance telephone communications. US &… Internet Archive Little Journey to England and France: July 7th to August 16th, 1937, A (R1) 1937 · Film · Subtitles Amateur Cinema League (ACL) leader at head; begins with departure from New York on Queen Mary; arrival in Southampton; much shot in London; "San Quentin" with… Internet Archive World Trade Center Short · 4 min · Subtitles Footage of World Trade Center from a work print Internet Archive 122 Eyes 1958 · Film · Subtitles 11:42:58:07 VS aerials of St. Louis; VS shot from plane on runway and pulling up to the main terminal of airport in St. Louis; VS inside St. Louis airport in… Internet Archive Here's Looking 1939 · Film · Subtitles "SHOWS HOW MODERN CAR TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MAN'S SEEING MECHANISM, REDUCING BLIND SPOTS OF STRUCTURE & GIVING HIM FLAWLESS GLASS TO SEE THRU. FISH, BIRDS &… Internet Archive Flying Businessman 1953 · Film · Subtitles About using general aviation in business. VS night shots of airline neon signs at airport (Western Airlines) VS people at airport counter, clerk VS flight… Internet Archive Journey Into Light 1973 · Film · Subtitles on Kitt Peak National Observatory, near Tucson, Arizona VS observatory activity Shots of solar flares young man typing at console of Control Data CDC6400… Internet Archive [World War II Films Compilation] 1942 · Film Content warning: This film contains graphic still images of violent death and disfigurement of humans. Compilation of three films - The Army Behind the Army,… Internet Archive Marriage Today 1950 · Film · Subtitles Shows how two young couples have built lasting marriages by a clear analysis of their mutual aims and cooperation in achieving them. One couple, university… Internet Archive Better Use of Leisure Time 1950 · Film · Subtitles GUIDES IN DEVELOPING CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT LEISURE TIME. SHOWS HOW TIME CAN BE USED EFFECTIVELY THROUGH A SELF-PLANNED PROGRAM OF LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES. Internet Archive As We Like It 1952 · Film · Subtitles Beer promotional film. "Sparkling, golden, pure, refreshing, a beverage as old as history." Internet Archive Much Better 1990 · Film · Subtitles Made by Ken Smith from Prelinger Archives footage. Internet Archive These Are My People 1959 · Film · Subtitles Natural gas: Servicemen, gas lines to homes and businesses, etc. Film begins with shot of primitive methods used in digging for brine well, circa 1815… Internet Archive Airport America 1954 · Film · Subtitles Advocates increased airport construction, especially in rural America. Describes the centrality of general aviation to the U.S. economy. Many aerials of… Internet Archive Beginnings of Conscience 1957 · Film · Subtitles Shows how one's behavior is largely influenced by his conscience -- the accumulation of restraints and sanctions which the individual learns as he grows from… Internet Archive Using the Bank 1947 · Film · Subtitles MAN DEPOSITS CASH & CHECK IN SAVINGS ACCOUNT, RECEIVES INTEREST, BORROWS MONEY FOR HIS BUSINESS, SIGNS NOTE FOR IT, OPENS CHECKING ACCOUNT, ENTERS… Internet Archive Age 13 1955 · Film · Subtitles Tells the story of Andrew, a 13-year-old whose mother dies and leaves him with an indifferent step-father. Andrew, receiving only hostility from his… Internet Archive Rockefeller Center 1945 · Film · Subtitles "An armchair tour of behind-the-scenes activities at Rockefeller Center. It offers a complete inspection of this amazing city-within-a-city, literally from… Internet Archive [Good Grooming for Girls] 1940 · Film · Subtitles Takes place at an engagement shower for a young woman. A mother or teacher explains glamor and how it is achieved by good grooming. Static and talky, but… Internet Archive Welcome Guest in the House, A 1957 · Short · 23 min · Subtitles Tribute to television as servant of the public in the Cold War era. Internet Archive Making Ends Meet 1942 · Short · 6 min · Subtitles Demonstrates the value of inexpensive meals, saving in food buying and the importance of milk in the diet, as suggestions for adequate nutrition under the… Internet Archive Last Clear Chance, The 1959 · Film · Subtitles This engaging Kodachrome drama (formatted for television broadcast) from the Union Pacific ostensibly deals with safety at railroad grade crossings, but it's… Internet Archive Fruits and Flowers 1920 · Film · Subtitles Great botanical footage from around the 1920s. Great cartoon with comic book-like caption boxes outlining the phases in plant development. Great ear…