Prelinger Archives

3,601–3,648 of 10,346 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 Boulder Dam: The Pictorial Record of Man's Conquest of the Colorado River 1930 · Film · Subtitles Early Hoover Dam - views of Boulder City, Government houses, roads, city and dam Colorado. Internet Archive American Road, The 1953 · Film · Subtitles Shows development of transportation in the United States during the first half of the 20th century, emphasizing growth of automobile industry, roads and… Internet Archive American Engineer 1956 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Land of Montezuma, The Film · Subtitles This vintage travelogue presents a vivid portrait of Mexico City and its surrounding areas, highlighting both its historical grandeur and cultural richness.… Internet Archive Activity Group Therapy 1950 · Film · Subtitles A report on the selection of cases for activity group therapy, the conduct of the therapeutic sessions and the personality developments of a group of… Internet Archive Belles of the South Seas Film · Subtitles Focus on Women of native cultures of Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoan Islands, Papua and Kalabahai Internet Archive Which Way This Time? Short · 10 min · Subtitles Shows how disastrous inflation during and after World War II was prevented by government controls. Depicts the depressions and misery that post-war inflations… Internet Archive [Redwood Estates Promotional Film] 1927 · Film · Subtitles Redwood Estates near Santa Cruz, California: Real estate promotional film showing scenes of downtown Los Gatos, California / car arriving at the "estates" and… Internet Archive [Mount Tamalpais Gravity Railroad] 1917 · Film · Subtitles Mount Tamalpais, Marin County, California: Mt. Tamalpais Gravity Railroad in operation taken from the cars / views of observation tower on top of mountain and… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Unidentified] 1932 · Home movie · Subtitles Add description when log sheet for 10540 is found. Pan New York City / Manhattan skyline tiles with letters rotate, form title: "Broadway at Night" VS… Internet Archive Digging Into the Past: Egyptian Excavations of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1920 · Film · Subtitles excellent footage of Egyptian workers working on archaeological dig Internet Archive Home Movie: 98904: Florida and Family 1954 · Home movie Cardboard sleeve around can (not retained) states:, Mermaids, Water Skiing, St Petersburg, Oct 1954, Family at Mervin's, Easter Sunday, April 1955, No. 5… Internet Archive SF State: On Strike 1969 · Film · Subtitles SF State: On Strike ca. 1969 - 1970 Internet Archive All Aboard For California Film · Subtitles Travelogue beginning with airplane landing in Los Angeles followed by tour of area attractions, including Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios and the… Internet Archive [Fires] Film · Subtitles Fires: Brooklyn fire; largest refinery in world, England lumber yard; fire at rubber factory, on ship, Internet Archive Wilmington 1970 · Film · Subtitles (Newsreel #30). "This documentary is about a 'company town.' The DuPont family controls the state of Delaware as if it were a private kingdom through the… Internet Archive Wings for Roger Windsock Short · 14 min · Subtitles Animated by Gene Deitch. Internet Archive Boulder Dam: The Pictorial Record of Man's Conquest of the Colorado River 1930 · Film · Subtitles Early Hoover Dam - views of Boulder City, Government houses, roads, city and dam Colorado. Internet Archive Your Name Here Outtakes (Reel 8) Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Why Study Industrial Arts? 1956 · Film · Subtitles Discusses objectives and values of industrial arts. Internet Archive No Help Wanted Film · Subtitles On the employment of disabled people in industry VS factory whistles (good) VS industrial scenes, workers punching in Laboratory technician with two hooks for… Internet Archive Felix Revolts Film · Subtitles A remix of the Felix the Cat cartoon "Felix Revolts" from 1923, with voiceover added later, likely in the 1960s (the narration includes a reference to… Internet Archive Unid. Soundie "Surrender"? (Juvenile Jubilee) 1940 · Film · Subtitles Beach scene. 00:16:16:26 - 00:18:47:12 B/W Sound 1940s Male crooner sings "Surrender" ballad (love songs) to woman in swimsuit sitting on beach cabana set.… Internet Archive How to Protect Your Bike Film · Subtitles The film emphasizes the importance of bike safety through a humorous narrative involving Dave, Goofer, Kathy, Dilly, and a bike thief named Creo. It outlines… Internet Archive American Road, The 1953 · Film · Subtitles Shows development of transportation in the United States during the first half of the 20th century, emphasizing growth of automobile industry, roads and… Internet Archive [San Francisco Earthquake: Ruined Buildings] 1906 · Film · Subtitles San Francisco earthquake, 1906: Short pan of ruined buildings. Earthquake-Falling Buildings Internet Archive Delicious Dishes Film · Subtitles Delicious Dishes Internet Archive Holiday in Hawaii Film · Subtitles Content warning: This film is produced from a settler colonialist perspective and intended for a white audience. It includes paternalistic and racist… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Captain Johnson Collection: Coney Island and Manhattan] 1940 · Home movie · Subtitles Add description from log sheets. Coney Island boardwalk Couple, man getting shoes shined (underexposed, would need new transfer to be usable) driving along… Internet Archive Wonderful World (Part III) Short · 10 min · Subtitles World Travelogue sponsored by Coca-Cola. 0731 PA8798 Wonderful World Internet Archive Fortune in Two Old Trunks, A (Part I) 1951 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles The origin of California's prune (now officially called "dried plum") industry. Internet Archive Unfinished Rainbows Film · Subtitles The film discusses the evolution and significance of aluminum in various industries, highlighting its advantages over other metals, particularly copper. It… Internet Archive Gilbert Slot Car Racers Commercial Commercial · 1 min · Subtitles Internet Archive How the Telephone Talks 1920 · Film · Subtitles To be logged. With animation. Internet Archive [California Cotton Mills] 1924 · Short · 6 min · Subtitles Workers and machines at the California Cotton Mills in Oakland. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Deaf Youth Group I] 1950 · Home movie · Subtitles Good shots of young people (teenagers well-dressed) socializing and partying INT Young people (African American and White) socializing and eating sandwiches… Internet Archive Rhapsody of the Rails 1933 · Film · Subtitles Railroad Travel Skeletal Entry Internet Archive How Do You Zoo? 1948 · Film · Subtitles From Library of Congress Catalog: "Released by Sterling Films, 1948. Summary: Depicts special exhibitions and animal shows that are arranged by the St Louis… Internet Archive Folgers Coffee Commercial #6 Commercial · 1 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Birds In Your Backyard (Revised Edition) Film · Subtitles Young boys watch birds in a yard; build a bird feeder and observe birds using a field guide. Two brothers share the fun and the responsibility of a project to… Internet Archive Anatomy of an Accident Short · 25 min · Subtitles Internet Archive Mood of San Francisco 1960 · Film · Subtitles Mood of San Francisco ca. early 1960s Internet Archive Dateline Long Island (Pt 2) Film · Subtitles Newsday was begun in 1940 in Long Island and this film shows the paper's role in the growth of the community and many shots of historical Long Island. It also… Internet Archive Easy Out? 1954 · Film Scare film. Man comes back from armed service with bad conduct discharge; family greets him happily; girlfriend finds out and gives his engagement ring back.… Internet Archive [Television Spots: Santa Fe Cigars] 1950 · Film · Subtitles Series of 14 television commercials for Santa Fe Cigars. Internet Archive [Home Movies: San Francisco] 1950 · Home movie · Subtitles Mission Dolores San Francisco City Hall seen from straight on, Fulton Street California street with cable car Chinatown Powell and Market streets, cable car… Internet Archive Day in America, A 1968 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Billie Holiday Special Film · Subtitles Segment for a WCBS News show created in 1972 and hosted by Genny Lim, giving a brief biographical sketch of singer Billie Holiday, including her struggles…