The world's archives

1,201–1,248 of 1,669 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.
Commons Hund und Bär im Zirkus 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Hund und Bär im Zirkus" zeigt Aufnahmen von einem Hund und einem Bär, die vor einem Zirkuszelt miteinander spielen. Der Bär wird dabei von einem Mann an der… Commons Exploded gas tanks us mint 1906 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution This film is a spectacular pan of the downtown area of San Francisco as seen from south of Market Street. The location among low ruins was ideal to view the… Commons Rodeln 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution Die mit "Rodeln" betitelten Amateuraufnahmen zeigen die verschneite Viktoriastraße in Kronberg im Taunus, auf der die Menschen Schlitten fahren. Commons Gordon Bennett Autorennen 1904 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution Für "Gordon-Bennett-Autorennen" postierte Neubronner seine Kamera an der Wegstrecke des gleichnamigen damals sehr populären Autorennens (1 Millionen Besucher… Commons Eislauf auf dem Kronberger Teich 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Eislauf auf dem Kronberger Teich" zeigt Amateuraufnahmen eines zugefrorenen Sees, der als Eislaufbahn für die Leute der Umgebung fungiert. Zu sehen sind… Commons Jack and the Beanstalk (1902) 1902 · Short · 4 min · Low resolution American short silent film (fragment). From Edison films catalog: "A grand spectacular performance in nine scenes and one tableau, illustrating the most… Commons Buster and the Dude 1904 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution American short silent comedy film. From Edison films catalog: "Shows a millinery store in the shopping district, and Mrs. Brown with a lady friend, admiring… Commons Driving scene on the Champs Elysees 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: Near the main entrance. Hundreds of carriages and characteristic Parisian buses are passing. Commons Moren tanzt 1903 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Moren tanzt" zeigt Amateuraufnahmen von einem Bankbeamten aus Kronberg, der vor einer Kulisse im Neubronner'schen Garten in unterschiedliche (Frauen-)Rollen… Commons Dog factory (1904) 1904 · Short · 4 min · Low resolution American short silent film. From Edison's catalog : "On the walls of the factory a lot of different varieties of frankfurters are hung. Each is marked with… Commons Julius Neubronner zaubert 1904 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution Dabei experimentierte er auch mit dem Stopp-Trick. "Julius Neubronner zaubert" zeigt den Amateurfilmer im Anzug bei der Duchführung mehrerer Zaubertricks: Er… Commons Kaisers Karussell in Kronberg 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Kaisers Karussell in Kronberg" zeigt Aufnahmen eines zweistöckiges Karussells, im Vordergrund eine Jahrmarktbude. Ein Nahaufnahme zeigt die unterschiedlichen… Commons Flatiron Building and Street Scene October 8th 1902 New York City 1902 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution This shows a view looking south from Madison Square, across the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and Twenty-third Street, to the famous Fuller (or… Commons Rodelbahn Schwarzer Weg Kronberg 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Rodelbahn Schwarzer Weg Kronberg" zeigt Amateuraufnahmen von Schlitten fahrenden Erwachsenen und Kindern, die auf ihrer Fahrt bergab über eine kleine, auf… Commons Mr. Jones at the Ball (1908) 1908 · Short · 7 min · Low resolution Mr. Jones at the Ball is a 1908 American silent short comedy film directed by D. W. Griffith. Commons Battle of Chemulpo Bay edison 1904 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution A historical re-enactment of a naval battle in Chemulpo Bay off the coast of Korea during the Russo-Japanese war. Shows a Japanese ship damaging one Russian… Commons Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Palace 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution The single camera position is from the top of a building identified as the Trocadero Palace; the camera is pointed toward the Eiffel Tower. The film shows… Commons Swiss village, no. 2 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: The scene opens by showing the village girls driving home a herd of cows, and shows the native peasantry of Switzerland returning… Commons Drei Geishas 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Drei Geishas" zeigt Aufnahmen von drei mit Geisha-Kostüm bekleideten Frauen, die auf einer Bühne im Neubronner'schen Garten einen Tanz einstudieren. Commons Buster's dog to the rescue 1904 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution American short silent comedy film. From Edison films catalog: "Shows a kitchen and Bridget busy making crullers. Buster enters and begs Bridget to give him… Commons Circular panoramic view of the Champs de Mars 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution Edison films catalog: In the Exposition grounds with a close view of the Palace of Electricity. Commons Mr. Jones Has a Card Party (1909) 1909 · Short · 8 min · Low resolution Mr. Jones Has a Card Party is a 1909 American silent short comedy film directed by D. W. Griffith. Commons Panoramic view from the moving boardwalk 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution The camera is stationed on the middle walk of the Platform Mobile, as the French call it, and gives further views and incidents of this Paris Exposition… Commons Boston by streetcar, 1903. Boston Elevated Railway trolley and elevated cars..theora 1903 · Short · 8 min · Low resolution Rare video posted by the New England Historical Society shows the busy streets of Boston in 1903. A cameraman boarded a city streetcar and filmed as he rode… Commons Schneeschuhlaufen auf dem Feldberg 1900 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution "Schneeschuhlaufen auf dem Feldberg" zeigt Amateuraufnahmen von Skifahrern und Rodlern auf dem verschneiten Feldberg im Taunus. Commons Commissioner Higgins visits Ahmedabad's girl school 1904 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution Silent film from India. "A group of girls of different ages, wearing uniform dresses and saris, wave bunches of flowers around in a rhythmic exercise,… Commons Des Jägers Traum 1903 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution "Des Jägers Traum" basiert auf einem kurzen von Neubronner selbstverfassten Theaterstück, in dem er selbst die Hauptrolle spielt. Erzählt wird die Geschichte… Commons Teddy Roosevelt, San Francisco, 1903 1903 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution President Roosevelt reviewed the school children of San Francisco from 10:00am to 10:30am on Wednesday, May 13, 1903. An estimated 40,000 school children… Commons Ellis Island video 1903 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution "The film opens with a view of the steam ferryboat "William Myers," laden with passengers, approaching a dock at the Ellis Island Immigration Station. The… Commons Execution of Czolgosz, with panorama of Auburn Prison 1901 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution OTHER TITLES Electrocution of Czolgosz CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1901. SUMMARY The film begins by showing railroad cars in… Commons Panoramic view of the Place de la Concorde 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: Taken from an automobile. This picture was taken during the fashionable driving hour, making a complete circle of the Place de la… Commons Circular panoramic view of the Champs de Mars 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: Shows all the prominent buildings on this thoroughfare, ending with a close view of the base of the Eiffel Tower, with the… Commons Scene in the Swiss village at Paris Exposition 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: The picture opens with a crowd of Swiss boys and girls dressed in native costumes, marching down the street in this very unique and… Commons Kronberger Automobil-Jugendrennen 1907 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution "Kronberger Automobil-Jugendrennen" zeigt Aufnahmen eines Seifenkistenrennes. Einer der Wagen kommt von der Straße ab und fährt in die Zuschauermenge. Commons Panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower taken from the outside 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: Showing the entire height of this wonderful structure from the base of the dome and return, with the great Paris Exposition in the… Commons Boxer dog footage, 1901 1901 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution This wonderful dog "Mannie," owned by the vaudeville star, Miss Laura Comstock, is a most learned animal. He has been trained to perform all sorts of tricks,… Commons Scene from the elevator ascending Eiffel Tower 1900 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution A marvelously clear picture taken from the top of the elevator of the Eiffel Tower during going up and coming down of the car. This wonderful tower is 1,000… Commons Тарас Бульба. (1909) 1909 · Short · 4 min · Low resolution «Тарас Бульба» — короткометражный фильм (1909), первая экранизация повести Гоголя «Тарас Бульба». Commons Panoramic view of the moving sidewalk at the Paris Exposition 1900 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: This picture was taken from the stationary platform, showing the rapidly moving board walk on the outer edge, which has a speed of… Commons Paris Exhibition viewed from the Seine 1900 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: This panoramic scene is taken from a Seine steamboat and gives a rapid view of the banks of the river. The launch steams under six… Commons Ankunft von König Eduard VII. von England in Kronberg 1901 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution "Ankunft von König Eduard VII. von England in Kronberg" zeigt Aufnahmen des aus dem Zug steigenden Königs, der von Kaiser Wilhelm mit Wangenkuss begrüßt wird.… Commons Mark Twain at his home at Stormfield, 1909 (filmed by Thomas Edison) 1909 · Short · 1 min · Low resolution Mark Twain at "Stormfield" in Redding, Connecticut. The women are two of Twain's daughters, Clara Clemens and Jean Clemens. Filmed by Thomas Edison in 1909. Commons Kaiser Wilhelm II. weiht eine Gedenktafel für die Kaiserin Friedrich von Kronberg ein 1904 · Short · 4 min · Low resolution "Kaiser Wilhelm II. weiht eine Gedenktafel für die Kaiserin Friedrich von Kronberg ein" zeigt, wie Kaiser Wilhelm und Prinz Heinrich ein Relief an der… Commons Duke of York at Montreal and Quebec 1901 1901 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution Summary from K. Niver: "This film shows the citation, presentation, and dedication of a bridge by the Duke of York, later King of England and grandfather of… Commons Squires vs Burns 1907 1907 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution This is an actual film of the heavyweight championship prize fight between Canadian, Tommy Burns (defender) and Australian, Bill Squires. The fight was… Commons 0794 Glasgow Trams c1902.theora 1902 · Short · 2 min · Low resolution Glasgow Tram, 1901 or 1902. National Library of Scotland. Record ID: 007-000-000-133-C. Commons Karnevalszug 1905 · Short · 4 min · Low resolution "Karnevalszug" zeigt Aufnahmen eines Faschingsumzuges, die vor dem "Frankfurter Hof" in Kronberg im Taunus entstanden. Zu sehen sind u.a. vorbeiziehende… Commons Paris Exhibition viewed from the Seine 1900 · Short · 3 min · Low resolution From Edison films catalog: This panoramic scene is taken from a Seine steamboat and gives a rapid view of the banks of the river. The launch steams under six…