The world's archives

193–240 of 1,846 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 "Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son" (1905) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1905 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive Akt-Skulpturen. Studienfilm für bildende Künstler 1903 · Feature Internet Archive Excursion to the Moon 1908 · Short · 6 min The original French title is Excursion dans la lune . IMDb Page Internet Archive La Maison Ensorcelée 1907 · Short · 6 min The Haunted House Internet Archive "Confidence" (1909) starring Florence Lawrence and Arthur V. Johnson 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Logging In Maine" (1906) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1906 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Money Mad" (1908) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1908 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Zulu's Heart" (1908) director D. W. Griffith 1908 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Peachbasket Hat" (1909) director D. W. Griffith starring Florence Lawrence 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive The Burglar's Slide for Life 1905 · Short · 5 min Title: The Burglar's Slide for Life Summary: A burglar escapes from the apartment he's robbing by sliding down the clothesline, but in the end he's caught by… Internet Archive "Father Gets In The Game" (1908) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1908 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive Blue Beard (1901) Directed By Georges Méliès 1901 · Feature Blue Beard Directed by Georges Méliès Starring Georges Méliès Jehanne d'Alcy Bleuette Bernon Distributed by Star Film Company Release date 3 May 1901 Running… Internet Archive "Cleveland Fire Department" (1903) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1903 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Curtain Pole" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Girls Winding Armatures" (1904) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1904 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Song Of The Shirt" (1908) director D. W. Griffith starring Florence Lawrence 1908 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Violin Maker of Cremona" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive LE PETOMANE DU MOULIN ROUGE Joseph Pujol (1900) Film By Edison 1900 · Feature LE PETOMANE DU MOULIN ROUGE (1900) In 1900, Edison had planned to dazzle the world with his latest invention, moving black and white pictures featuring sound… Internet Archive "The Voice Of The Violin" (1909) director D.W. Griffith starring Arthur V. Johnson 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive [Gould can 5118.2] 1903 · Film · Subtitles Wright Brothers first powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. (Check to see if this is footage of actual event or recreated.)14:18:18:03 Great… Internet Archive Ah! La Barbe 1905 · Short · 1 min Shaving: Who knew it could be such a tricky operation? Internet Archive "Swimming Pool, Palm Beach" (1905) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1905 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "President McKinley Inauguration" (1901) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1901 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Steam Hammer" (1904) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1904 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive Eruption on Mount Pele 1902 · Short · 1 min The original French title is Éruption volcanique à la Martinique . IMDb Page Internet Archive "Coil Winding Machines" (1904) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1904 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Getting Even" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive [Gould can 5507: Buffalo Bill] 1908 · Film · Subtitles William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) is seen on his horse and in semi CU as he acts as scout / his Wild West Show / as he 'gets away' on his own to camp14:57:27:03… Internet Archive [San Francisco Earthquake Aftermath] 1906 · Film · Subtitles Aftermath of San Francisco earthquake, April 18, 1906:More views of destruction taken from a vehicle moving east down Market Street Internet Archive "Casting A Guide Box" (1904) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1904 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive The Hilarious Posters 1906 · Short · 3 min The original French title is Les Affiches en goguette . IMDb Page Internet Archive The Cardinal's Conspiracy (1909) starring Florence Lawrence 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "What Drink Did" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Politician's Love Story" (1909) director D. W. Griffith 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Happy Hooligan" (1903) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1903 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Trial Marriages" (1907) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1907 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Pippa Passes" (1909) director D. W. Griffith 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive Long Distance Wireless Photography 1908 · Short · 6 min The original French title is La Photographie électrique à distance . IMDb Page Internet Archive Une Excursion Incohérente 1909 · Short 1909 Segundo de Chomón Une Excursion Incohérente (A Tour Inconsistent) Internet Archive Katsudô Shashin (1907) 1907 · Feature A young boy dressed in sailor attire and a bright red cap is shown to write the Japanese kanji characters translating to the phrase “moving picture.” As he… Internet Archive "Delivering Newspapers" (1903) 1903 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "Personal" (1904) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1904 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Gibson Goddess" (1909) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Joneses Have Amateur Theatricals" (1909) starring Florence Lawrence 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Dude and the Burglars" (1903) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1903 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive Joan Of Arc (1900) Directed By Georges Méliès 1900 · Feature Joan Of Arc (1900) 'Jeanne d'Arc' Director: Georges Méliès Joan of Arc is a 1900 French silent film directed by Georges Méliès, based on the life of Joan of… Internet Archive "Levi and Cohen, the Irish Comedians" (1903) cinematographer Billy Bitzer 1903 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie… Internet Archive "The Golden Louis" (1909) director D. W. Griffith 1909 · Feature This gem is presented by Silent Hall of Fame. Please visit https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/ to support our non-profit mission and the legacy of silent movie…