What's a good source of historical film clips on the web?

December 16, 2004 3:12 AM

I'm looking to put together a DVD compilation as a small christmas present and was hoping to include a bunch of historical film clips. It might include things like the moon landing, Louis Armstrong, presidential speeches, anything and everything really from the significant to the minutiae of everyday life. Does anyone know of a good source for this sort of thing on the web? Would have to be free.
posted by figment to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Loads of public domain video is at the Internet Archive. Try starting with the Prelinger Archive.
posted by mathowie at 3:15 AM on December 16, 2004

Response by poster: Thanks Matt, great stuff - not to mention a wee bit engrossing....
posted by figment at 3:27 AM on December 16, 2004

If the DVD's are individual, a "this day on your birthday." section should make it all extra special.
posted by seanyboy at 4:36 AM on December 16, 2004

British Pathe has thousands of hours of newsreel footage from the end of the 19th century through 1970. Low quality previews are free but you have to pay for higher quality clips.
posted by Monk at 10:25 AM on December 16, 2004