The world's archives

241–288 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 "Her First Adventure" (1908) 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 Boy Detective" (1908) 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 Le Miroir Magique 1908 · Short · 2 min The Magic Mirror with Julienne Mathieu directed by Segundo de Chomón. Internet Archive London Around 1900 in color 1900 · Feature A trip through old London at the beginning of the 1900s. This film is A.I. enhanced and colorized. Internet Archive En Avant la Musique 1907 · Short · 1 min A musical event by Segundo de Chomón Internet Archive [San Francisco Earthquake Aftermath: Riding Down Market Street] 1906 · Film · Subtitles SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE: Horse and wagon / damaged buildings / views of destruction / people on streets / desolation on Market Street Earthquake 1906 San… Internet Archive "The Girls and Daddy" (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 The Wonderful Living Fan 1904 · Short · 3 min The original French title is Le Merveilleux éventail vivant . IMDb Page Internet Archive Excursion Dans La Lune 1908 · Short · 6 min Excursion to the Moon by Segundo de Chomón Internet Archive Wright Brothers' Flight, 1909 1909 · Short · 6 min "This film documents the official test flight of the Wright Brothers' military airplane at Fort Myer, Virginia, on July 27, 1909." National Archives… Internet Archive La Fee Printemps 1902 · Short · 3 min Flowers, they bloom in Winter! Internet Archive "Panorama Of Machine Co. Aisle" (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 Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer 1904 · Short · 3 min The original French title is Le Thaumaturge chinois . Internet Archive New York Subway (1905) Directed By G. W. Bitzer 1905 · Feature New York Subway (1905) Director: G.W. Bitzer "This film documented New York City’s newest marvel, the subway, less than seven months after its opening. What… Internet Archive Un peu de feu s.v.p 1903 · Short A comedic short from director Georges Méliès. Country: France Release Date: 13 February 1904 (USA) France (1903) Also Known As (AKA) Un peu de feu s.v.p.… Internet Archive "The Impossible Convicts" (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 The Black Imp 1905 · Short · 3 min The original French title is Le Diable noir . IMDb Page Internet Archive Barcelone, Parc au Crépuscule 1904 · Short · 2 min Barcelone, Parc au Crépuscule by Segundo de Chomón in 1904 Internet Archive The Kingdom Of The Fairies (1903) Directed By Georges Méliès 1903 · Feature The Kingdom of the Fairies (1903) 'Le royaume des fées' Director: Georges Méliès The Kingdom of the Fairies (French: Le Royaume des fées), initially released… Internet Archive "The Cord of Life" (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 The Cook in Trouble 1904 · Short · 4 min The original French title is Sorcellerie culinaire . IMDb Page Internet Archive "The Mountaineer's Honor" (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 "Stealing A Dinner" (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 Le Roi des Dollars 1905 · Short · 2 min King of Dollars http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449379/ Internet Archive "Her First Biscuits" (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 La L'gende du Fantome 1908 · Short 1908 Segundo de Chomón La L'gende du Fantome - Legend of a Ghost Internet Archive "Welding the Big Ring" (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 Son's Return" (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 Spectacular Paris during the Expo of 1900 in color! [A.I. Enhanced & colorized] 1900 · Feature A very interesting documentary about the Expo in Paris in 1900 (A.I. enhanced and in color) Internet Archive The Magic Book ( 1900) Directed By Georges Méliès 1900 · Feature The Magic Book 'Le livre magique' (1900) Director: Georges Méliès Characters from a large magic book come to life. Internet Archive "Man Overboard! 'Indiana'" (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 Renunciation" (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 Pierrette’s Escapades (1900) Directed by Alice Guy-Blaché 1900 · Feature Les Fredaines de Pierrette theatrical poster Directed by Alice Guy Produced by Gaumont Film Company Release date 1900 (France) [ 1 ] Running time 2 minutes… Internet Archive Sculpteur Moderne 1908 · Short 1908 Segundo de Chomón Sculpteur Moderne (Modern Sculptor or Modern Sculpture) Internet Archive "The Brooklyn Handicap" (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 [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 The Last Days of Pompeii 1909 · Feature Internet Archive The Over-Incubated Baby 1901 · Feature Internet Archive Princess Nicotine 1909 · Short · 5 min Comedic short that pits a smoker against a tiny fairy, brought to life through early special effects. Preserved by the Library of Congress. Internet Archive A Fantastical Meal 1900 ‘ Le Repas Fantastique’ Directed By Georges Méliès 1900 · Feature A Fantastical Meal 1900 ‘ 'Le Repas Fantastique’ Director: Georges Méliès Plot: Two women and a man, attempting to have dinner, find themselves confronted… Internet Archive Danse des Ouled-Naid 1902 · Short · 1 min Dance of the Ouled-Naid Internet Archive [San Francisco Earthquake Aftermath: Riding Down Market Street] 1906 · Film · Subtitles SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE: Horse and wagon / damaged buildings / views of destruction / people on streets / desolation on MarketStreet Earthquake 1906 San… Internet Archive "Where Breakers Roar" (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 Doctor's Secret 1909 · Short · 9 min The original French title is Hydrothérapie fantastique . IMDb Page Internet Archive The Mystical Flame 1903 · Short The original French title is La flamme merveilleuse . IMDb Page Internet Archive What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City 1901 · Short · 1 min The corner of 23rd Street and 6th Avenue was renowned for its gusty breezes that might allow a man to catch a glimpse of a woman's stockings. In this staged… Internet Archive RMS Olympic from 1908 to 1935 in color! [A.I. enhanced] 1908 · Feature This film shows RMS Olympic from its construction in 1908 till it was scrapped in 1935. It is the only ship of the Titanic class to have been in service… Internet Archive "Nursing A Viper" (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…