A Total Accident

The Alps - Climb of Your Life(en)

In 1966, John Harlin II died while attempting Europe's most difficult climb, the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland. 40 years later, his son John Harlin III, an expert mountaineer and the editor of the American Alpine Journal, returns to attempt the same climb.

Family Legend(en)

In 1916, twenty-year-old Marion Wong wrote and directed The Curse of Quon Gwon, the earliest example of an Asian American film. What initially appears to be a story about a Chinese family cursed for allowing Western influence through the door, proves to be an illuminating examination of cultural diaspora years ahead of its time.Sandwiched between two global pandemics, this documentary follows the Wong family descendents as they secure The Curse of Quon Gwon its place in film history and new revelations rise to the surface.

Opening of the Kiel Canal(en)

The opening of the Kiel Canal in Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 20 June 1895.

Lumiere's First Picture Shows(en)

An overview of the works of French film pioneers Louis and Auguste Lumière from 1895 to 1897.

Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets(en)

In this spectacular exploration you'll take a journey through the 4,000-year history of mankind's relationship with the Grand Canyon. Discover the earliest inhabitants of the Canyon whose lives are still shrouded in mystery. Travel with Spanish explorers as they become the first Europeans to uncover the Canyon's awesome beauty. Ride along in the re-enactment of US explorer John Wesley Powell's expedition down the raging Colorado River, when nine crew members risk their lives to become the first to travel the length of the Canyon by boat. Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets will take you into the rarely visited side canyons filled with hidden waterfalls and unusual wildlife. Experience the Canyon as never before: soaring over the rim and flying through some of the most inspiring scenery on Earth.

Leisurely Pedestrians, Open Topped Buses and Hansom Cabs with Trotting Horses(xx)

Alleged silent black-and-white short film shot at Apsley Gate, Hyde Park, London. It was claimed to be the first motion picture until pre-dating footage shot by Louis Le Prince was discovered. It was never publicly shown and is now considered a lost film with no known surviving prints or stills.

La tragique histoire de l'incendie du Bazar de la Charité(fr)

We Live in Prague(cs)

A 13-minute documentary film depicting life in Prague.

The Eruption of Mount St. Helens!(en)

Originally shown in IMAX theaters, this film presents highly detailed and lavish views of the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest, both as they appeared before the top 1,300 feet of Mount St. Helens was blown into the sky and during the disaster's dramatic aftermath.

Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods(en)

A breathtaking view of Zion National Park filmed originally in the IMAX format.

Moon Rockets(en)

This short is one of Paramount's "Popular Science" series (number L6-5, or the fifth one of the 1946-47 production season) and begins by showing moon rockets, weighing 30 tons, a flight in the ionosphere, with mounted color cameras recording pictures hundreds of miles above the earth. Coming back to earth, it discourses on modern bathroom fixtures, and then demonstrates a one-man hay-bailer.

Dolphins(en)

From the banks of the Bahamas to the seas of Argentina, we go underwater to meet dolphins. Two scientists who study dolphin communication and behaviour lead us on encounters in the wild. Featuring the music of Sting. Nominated for an Academy Award®, Best Documentary, Short Subject, 2000.

Nanook of the North(en)

This pioneering documentary film depicts the lives of the indigenous Inuit people of Canada's northern Quebec region. Although the production contains some fictional elements, it vividly shows how its resourceful subjects survive in such a harsh climate, revealing how they construct their igloo homes and find food by hunting and fishing. The film also captures the beautiful, if unforgiving, frozen landscape of the Great White North, far removed from conventional civilization.

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat(fr)

A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.

Berlin: Symphony of a Great City(de)

A day in the city of Berlin, which experienced an industrial boom in the 1920s, and still provides an insight into the living and working conditions at that time. Germany had just recovered a little from the worst consequences of the First World War, the great economic crisis was still a few years away and Hitler was not yet an issue at the time.

Danse de l'éventail(fr)

A variation on the popular Butterfly Dance, released in hand-colored and stenciled versions. The film has the catalogue number 2011 and was likely shot in 1897 but not screened in France until the 10th of December 1899.

Buffalo Bill: peaux rouges(fr)

One minute film of Buffalo Bill's famous show.

Kiel: lancement du 'Fürst-Bismarck'(fr)

A large ship embarking.

Panorama des rives de la Seine à Paris, III(fr)

Panorama film shot floating down the Seine.

Chicago, Grande Roue(fr)

A view of the Ferris wheel from the Chicago Exposition of 1893, turning slowly.