Greece (Engineering an Empire)

History Education

This program traces 1,500 years of history to shed light on the incredible engineering accomplishments of the ancient Greeks—and the leaders who enabled them to happen. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series Engineering an Empire. (44 minutes)

The Aztecs (Engineering an Empire)

History Education

This program tells the astonishing story of the Aztecs, who, over the course of four centuries, grew from a beleaguered band of a thousand to dominate nearly all of Mexico. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series Engineering an Empire. (44 minutes)

The Persians (Engineering an Empire)

History Education

This program is a chronicle of the Persian Empire, a major force that heavily influenced competing cultures and achieved scholastic and engineering breakthroughs that were the envy of the ancient world. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series Engineering an Empire. (45 minutes)

Loch Ness (How the Earth Was Made)

History Education

This program traces the extraordinary story of Loch Ness, from the 3 billion-year-old bedrock of Northern Scotland, to the giant glaciers that carved out the loch, to the possibility that Nessie, if it exists, is a descendent of North American dinosaurs. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series How the Earth Was Made. (45 minutes)

Grand Canyon (How the Earth Was Made)

History Education

Immense tectonic forces. Millions of years of erosion. This program explains how the Grand Canyon—nearly 300 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep—came to be. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series How the Earth Was Made. (45 minutes)

Birth of the Earth (How the Earth Was Made)

History Education

This program investigates the most fundamental geological mystery of all: the first billion years of Earth’s existence. Experts illustrate how the planet first formed from the dust of the solar system, molten rock solidified to become land, oceans filled with water, and life first arrived on the planet. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series How the Earth Was Made. (45 minutes)

Sahara (How the Earth Was Made)

History Education

The Sahara was once covered by ice and supported abundant plant life and crops. What happened to turn that region—an area practically the size of Europe—into the world’s largest hot desert? This program looks for answers. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series How the Earth Was Made. (45 minutes)

Guadalcanal (Battleline)

A&E

U.S. Marines are ordered to take the key Pacific island of Guadalcanal in 1942 and destroy the Japanese airfield, effectively severing the enemy’s reach towards Australia. This classic program incorporates authentic WWII archival film footage and accounts from soldiers on both sides of the battleline on Guadalcanal. Part of the series Battleline. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (23 minutes)

Liberation of the Philippines (Battleline)

A&E

For more than two years, the Japanese have occupied the Philippines, while American forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, plan their return to liberate the islands in 1945. This classic program incorporates authentic WWII archival film footage and accounts from soldiers on both sides of the battleline in the Philippines. Part of the series Battleline. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (23 minutes)

Charles Dickens: A Tale of Ambition and Genius

Biography Channel

This episode of Biography presents a detailed look at the life of Charles Dickens, beginning with Dickens's harsh childhood and ending in his rise to worldwide acclaim. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

JFK: A Personal Story

Biography Channel

This episode of Biography examines the life of the charismatic John F. Kennedy, from his birth to his final fatal day and the legacy he left to posterity. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (90 minutes)

John Wilkes Booth: Assassin in the Spotlight

A&E

Southern actor John Wilkes Booth’s deadly passion for the Confederate cause escalated in April 1865 with a plot to kill Abraham Lincoln and overthrow the U.S. government. This program traces the history of that conspiracy and the follows the life of this talented but twisted man whose actions would earn him celebrity for all time—but not for his work on the stage. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Milton Hershey: Chocolate King

Biography Channel

This episode of Biography spotlights philanthropic confectioner Milton Hershey, whose commitment to fairness, in an era of ruthless industrialists, led him and his candy empire to sweet success. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France

Biography Channel

This episode of Biography paints a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose grand ambitions were matched—and, ultimately, undone—by his immense ego. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime

Biography Channel

This episode of Biography traces the life of Ronald Reagan from his childhood in the small, working class towns of Illinois, through his career as a Hollywood actor, and his political career which took him from liberal Democrat to conservative Republican, from a two-term governorship of California, to a two-term presidency that helped define and shape policies in the 1980s and far beyond. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (48 minutes)

The Great Wall (In Search of History)

History Education

Said to be the longest human-made construction on Earth, the Great Wall of China was built at the cost of thousands of workers’ lives. This program examines the history of “The Wall of Tears.” Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Lost Treasure of the Alexandria Library (In Search of History)

History Education

What did the legendary Alexandria Library look like? Where, exactly, did it stand? What did it contain? How—and why—did it vanish? This program searches for answers. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Marine Stewardship Council: Japan

Electric Sky

The oceans are being emptied. This isn’t just bad news for the 200 million people who make a living fishing, it’s a crisis for planet Earth. The Marine Stewardship Council uses market forces to create sustainable fisheries, offering the world’s only internationally recognized seafood eco-labeling system. It uses independent assessors who grant MSC certification only to products of sustainable fisheries, and it has grown into a major international organization based in London, with offices in Tokyo, Sydney, Seattle, Berlin, Edinburgh, and The Hague. Focusing on the Tokyo branch, this program follows Alvin Hall’s efforts to help the MSC in its twofold task of convincing both fishers and consumers about the importance of choosing eco-friendly seafood. Part of the series Alvin’s Guide to Good Business: Case Studies in Social Entrepreneurship. (23 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Make Mine Freedom (1938)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives Cold War-era animated film uses humor to reveal the dangers of Communism and to extol the benefits of capitalism. "Working together to produce an ever-greater abundance of material and spiritual values for all. That is the secret of American prosperity." John Sutherland Productions, for the Extension Department of Harding College. (10 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Our Cities Must Fight (1951)

Prelinger Archives

Using stern logic and the harsh precedents of World War II history, this Prelinger Archives film makes an appeal to U.S. city residents to stay put and keep urban centers functioning rather than evacuate in the case of a nuclear attack. "Running away from that duty would be desertion, pure and simple... There's no getting away from it: when the time comes, each one of us must stay in our cities and fight." Filmed in New York City and elsewhere. "Have Americans got the guts?" Unapologetically hawkish. Archer Productions, for the U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration.

Prelinger Archives: The Civil War (1954)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives film is a 1954 dramatization of important battles and military events of the Civil War, using Hollywood-style on-location cinematography as well as reenactments which, although not full-scale battle replications, still effectively convey a sense of the conflict. With the help of eloquent narration, viewers are given an understanding of the social, economic, and geographical factors that led to, prolonged, and eventually ended the war. Animated map graphics and intermittent color photography are used. Encyclopaedia Britannica Films. (15 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: 6 1/2 Magic Hours (1958)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives film depicts the comfort and delight of transatlantic air travel at the beginning of the Jet Age. The story begins with a scale model of the "futuristic" Pan Am terminal at Idlewild Airport (later renamed JFK), designed to allow passengers movement from terminal to jet under covered awnings. Next, Pan Am initiates Flight 1000, a so-called "paper flight"--a hypothetical experiment taking place between New York and London, collecting scientific and logistical data in preparation for the milestone jet voyage. Then the film shows the real thing, offered in an upscale Boeing 707 Clipper with a spacious cabin and luxurious amenities. Finally, viewers see activities to be enjoyed in Europe, made possible with "extra hours to do what you want" thanks to the new swift air service. Produced by Kahlenberg, for Pan American World Airways. (12 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: American Thrift (Part II) (1962)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives film (part 2 of 2) casts itself as "a tribute to the American housewife" and sings the praises of "the woman American," telling us that her primary function in life is "the romance and adventure of choosing." In the consumerist world depicted here, those who produce goods have a responsibility to "bid for [the housewife's] fancy" and "charm her with choice offerings calculated to please." Twenty-first century viewers will easily come to the conclusion that this film isn't about saving, it's about spending--but it's also clearly about the beautiful Corvairs, BelAirs, and Impalas that gave 1960s homemakers quick access to shopping malls and supermarkets. The Jam Handy Organization, for the General Motors Corporation, Chevrolet Division. (12 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Henry Ford's Mirror of America (Part I) (1962)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives film (part 1 of 2) is a compilation of images and sequences from the Ford Film Collection, with excellent footage of United States history, culture, industry, and daily life between about 1915 and 1930. Highlights include Coney Island, the increasing pervasiveness of the automobile in American life, and early manufacturing footage. This first part concentrates on American life from 1914 to the mid 1920s. We see rural life, factory footage, scenes of presidents and celebrities, a great deal of material from World War I, and images that show how the introduction of the car altered the social fabric and family dynamics. U.S. National Archives and Records Service. (17 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: Various Television Commercials (c. 1964)

Prelinger Archives

This Prelinger Archives film is a revealing compilation of 1950s and 1960s TV commercials. It includes the following: an ad featuring several "Marlboro men" (cowboys) enjoying cigarettes "where the flavor is," in Marlboro Country; an invitation to "Send your sinuses to Arizona" for Dristan with remarkably well-executed mechanical effects; a public service announcement for the Television Code with voice-over by Dick Cavett; an ad showing how Coca-Cola helps a TWA flight attendant stay alert; two Colt 45 beer ads starring a suave, stoic businessman waiting for his Colt 45 Malt Liquor to arrive at his table in chaotic surroundings; a Volkswagen Beetle ad celebrating the diligence of VW's quality inspectors; a live-action Alka Seltzer ad about peoples' varying waist sizes and an animated one featuring Gene Wilder's voice; a Heinz pickle ad with an elderly lady who turns violent after being served a soggy pickle; an oil heat industry commercial featuring a young Charlotte Rae, who later played housemother Edna Garrett on Diff'rent Strokes; two stilted Luster Creme shampoo commercials; a Goodyear tire ad warning husbands against stranding their wives alone on the highway ("this flat tire needs a man"); and more. Various producers and sponsors. (25 minutes)

Paraguay: Soya and Pesticides

Network Ireland Television

When an 11-year-old Paraguayan boy named Silvino Talavera died from pesticide poisoning in 2003, his name became a rallying cry in the fight against intensive soya production. This program recounts the tragedy and the legal, political, and economic impact of “agritoxins” in Latin America. Opening with a poetically filmed reenactment and moving on to feature key players in the story, the film includes an interview with Fernando Lugo—a Catholic priest whose election to Paraguay’s presidency shifted policy away from large-scale agricultural interests toward more populist causes. Land redistribution and genetic modification emerge as central topics in this look at a controversy that is far from over. Original broadcast title: Soya: Silvino’s Story. A part of the series Fighting the Tide 3: Developing Nations and Globalization. (Portions in Spanish with English subtitles, 25 minutes)

The Lost Film of Dian Fossey

National Geographic

From 1968 to 1972, photographer and filmmaker Bob Campbell documented the activities of Dian Fossey as she developed a cross-species bond with Rwandan mountain gorillas. Campbell shot 70,000 feet of film, but only a fraction of his material was edited into the lecture presentation that preceded Fossey’s Gorillas in the Mist. This program compiles highlights from the previously unreleased footage, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the gorilla community and Fossey’s relationship with it. Her methods may not entirely jibe with those of modern conservationists, but there is no denying the profound impact of her work on current research and eco-activism. A National Geographic Production. (53 minutes)

The Mexicans: Through Their Eyes

National Geographic

Guiding viewers through a rich mosaic of history and culture, this program evokes the complexities of Mexico as experienced by its own people. The nation’s indigenous and Spanish roots are both explored through nuanced discussions of iconic cultural elements—for example, viewers learn how the Day of the Dead reflects the national character by merging Catholic and pre-Columbian traditions. Meanwhile, a look at Mexico’s modern urban landscape reveals a unique dynamic of politics, art, and commerce. The perspectives of Mexican citizens from all backgrounds and walks of life infuse the program in a manner that can only be described as a través de sus ojos—through their eyes. A National Geographic Production. (58 minutes)

Romeo and Juliet: Live from Shakespeare's Globe

Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd.

“But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” Performed at Shakespeare’s Globe, London’s faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599, Romeo and Juliet is arguably the best-loved of all love stories in Western literature. The play’s masterful combination of lyricism, suspense, and dramatic changes of mood is dramatized by an energetic cast that stars Adetomiwa Edun—called “a Romeo to die for” by The Independent (London)—and, in her stage debut as Juliet, Ellie Kendrick. Directed by Dominic Dromgoole. (171 minutes)

Phonograph (Modern Marvels)

Modern Marvels

Thomas Edison was not the first to record sound, but his competition with Alexander Graham Bell and other inventors led to the phonograph that created thousands of new jobs and gave birth to the music recording industry. First radio and then electronic recording contributed to the eventual decline in the phonograph's popularity. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Lincoln

History Education

Burdened by a tragic family life, suicidal urges, and unsettled sexuality, Abraham Lincoln was able to employ his powerful wit and innate charm to transform his inner demons. Filmed as if through the president’s own eyes, this episode of Biography captures the dark soul behind one of history’s brightest lights. Interviews with leading Lincoln biographers such as Gore Vidal, Jan Morris, and Harold Holzer are also included. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (136 minutes)

The Road to Rapture

A&E

Are we living in the last days on Earth? This A&E Special follows a popular movement that is taking off like wildfire—claiming that we are on the brink of the end of time—in best-selling books with crossover mainstream appeal, as well as sermons, radio shows, and websites with millions of followers. Many evangelical Christians look forward to a truly transformative end-time event called the Rapture. They believe that as the last days approach, Jesus will return to Earth and take millions of faithful Christians to Heaven without ever having to suffer the agony of death. Left behind will be the rest of the world who must suffer through the nightmare apocalypse to come. Distributed by A&E Television Networks.

Frontier Homes (Save Our History)

History Education

While many Americans think of the “frontier” in terms of the Wild West, it was, at various times, located in Eastern woods, Appalachian mountains, the Great Plains, and the deserts of the Southwest. In this program, host Ron Hazelton leads a fascinating tour across the country to examine prime examples of structures built by the homesteaders who propelled America’s westward expansion. Starting with post-and-beam construction in the East and continuing on to the adobe homes of the Southwest, viewers will see how archetypal American houses were built and used. Frontier Homes weaves together the beauty of the land, the construction of the houses, and the lifestyles of the pioneers. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Alien Faces (The Universe)

History Education

In this program, scientists, astrobiologists, and astronomers combine scientific fact and a little imagination to create five lines of extraterrestrial evolution and explain how creatures on the surface of Earth can offer a helping hand to understanding life on other planets. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Universe. (45 minutes)

Bill Moyers Journal: Robert Wright on the Evolution of God / Obama and Environmentalists

Doctoroff Media Group

In this edition of the Journal, Bill Moyers sits down with Robert Wright, author of the bestseller The Evolution of God, to discuss why Wright thinks that a concept of God is imperative to a moral society and that whether God truly exists may not be as important as how the idea of God has changed over time. Moyers also speaks with Mary Sweeters, of Greenpeace USA, and Erich Pica, of Friends of the Earth, about why they believe President Obama is not doing enough to save the environment and what they think needs to be included in climate change legislation. An essay on insurers’ efforts to steer healthcare reform legislation with big money—to the detriment of patients and medical practitioners—concludes the program. Broadcast date: July 17, 2009. (57 minutes)

Blogging in the Classroom

Carmelina Films

Blogs may be driving print journalists out of business, but they're doing wonders for the teaching profession. This program helps educators learn more about blogging and the best ways to integrate it into the classroom. Showing how blogs help communicate ideas and connect readers worldwide, the video focuses on the benefits of blogging for both teachers and students. Specific topics include blogging strategies for increasing student motivation, reading comprehension, writing skills, collaboration, and healthy social interaction. Viewers will also learn about blogging for course announcements, reading assignments, professional development networking, student journalism, and other purposes. (24 minutes)

Broadway Goes Hollywood: Musical Comedy in American Cinema

Wichita Films

Beginning with the release of The Jazz Singer in 1927, this program provides a detailed look inside that most distinctly American of film traditions, the musical comedy. Interviews with dancer Cyd Charisse, famous for her starring roles in MGM musicals, and Hermes Pan, renowned choreographer and collaborator with Fred Astaire, help to illuminate the advent and evolution of the genre. Excerpts and behind-the-scenes accounts from Singin' in the Rain, 42nd Street, Second Chorus, Flying Down to Rio, The Wizard of Oz, and many other films are included. Specific topics include the impact of the Hays Code, the influence of African-American dance styles, and the decline of the musical during the 1960s.

Permafrost: Secrets in Siberian Ice

Telepool

The key to understanding climate change could be locked inside hundreds of feet—and thousands of years—of Siberian permafrost. This program follows the literally groundbreaking expedition of a team of scientists who set out to discover the climatic history trapped within the frozen earth beneath a crater lake in northern Siberia. Their research is presented in tandem with fieldwork in the Alps by fellow geologists and geophysicists contending with the effects of global warming: landslides. Expert commentary, time-lapse photography, and dramatic film footage all serve to emphasize permafrost’s crucial role in providing geologic stability.

Episode 5: The Universe of Battle (1863) (The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns)

Ken Burns

This program opens with an account of the turning point of war: the Battle of Gettysburg. For three days, 150,000 men fight to the death in the Pennsylvania countryside-an action that culminates in Pickett's ill-fated charge. This extended episode then goes on to chronicle the fall of Vicksburg, the New York draft riots, the first use of African-American troops, and the battles at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. The program closes with the dedication of a new Union cemetery at Gettysburg, where Lincoln struggles to put into words what is happening to his people. Distributed by PBS Distribution. A part of the series The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns. (96 minutes)

Episode 6: Valley of the Shadow of Death (1864) (The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns)

Ken Burns

This program begins with a biographical comparison of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee and then goes on to chart the extraordinary series of battles that pitted the two generals against each other. So intense was the fighting that in one 30-day period, their armies lost more men than both sides had lost in three years of war. With Grant and Lee finally deadlocked at Petersburg, this episode shifts focus to follow General Sherman's Atlanta campaign. As the horrendous casualty lists increased, Lincoln's chances for reelection began to dim-and with them the possibility of Union victory. Distributed by PBS Distribution. A part of the series The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns. (70 minutes)

Episode 2: The Promise of Freedom (African American Lives)

PBS

This program looks at how African-Americans defined their freedom after slavery. Henry Louis Gates Jr. reviews courthouse records of land acquisitions, documents from the Freedmen's Bureau, and the 1870 census—the first in which African-Americans were counted as citizens, not property—to trace his subjects’ lineages through Reconstruction. A vein that continues throughout the series is Gates' personal story, and in this episode he seeks to confirm a family legend—that a white slaveholder is one of his 19th-century ancestors. Distributed by PBS Distribution. Part of the series African-American Lives. (54 minutes)

Episode 1: Truth Against the World (Frank Lloyd Wright: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick)

Ken Burns

The first installment in Ken Burns’s compelling documentary on modernist architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this program depicts the early to middle years of Wright’s life and career. With the help of rarely seen archival materials and voice-over portrayals by well-known actors, viewers learn how Wright’s ideas developed and how they became the center of the modernist movement in architecture. Distributed by PBS Distribution. A part of the series Frank Lloyd Wright: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. (81 minutes)

Mark Twain: A Film by Ken Burns - Part 1

Ken Burns

Covering both biographical and literary ground, this documentary by Ken Burns profiles author Samuel Clemens from birth to age 50. Viewers gain an understanding of Clemens’s disparate interests and priorities, the historical period in which he rose to prominence, and the impact of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on the American sensibility. Novelist Russell Banks and playwright Arthur Miller provide commentary. Rare archival photos and materials are seen throughout the program. Distributed by PBS Distribution. Part of the series Mark Twain: A Film Directed by Ken Burns. (112 minutes)

Mark Twain: A Film by Ken Burns - Part 2

Ken Burns

Revealing the latter part of the life of Samuel Clemens, this documentary by Ken Burns examines the realities behind the author’s enormous popularity: his diminishing success in publishing, his volatile finances, and the tragic losses he experienced as a husband and father. Clemens’s darker writings are studied along with his increasingly radical politics, which included a vehemently anti-imperialist stance. Numerous archival photos and materials enliven the program. Distributed by PBS Distribution. Part of the series Mark Twain: A Film Directed by Ken Burns. (112 minutes)

In Remembrance of Martin

PBS

This documentary examines Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Filmed in Atlanta on the first federal holiday in his honor, an impressive group of distinguished public figures is interviewed, including former President Jimmy Carter, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Senator Edward Kennedy, Andrew Young, and Bill Cosby, among others. Archival footage recounts highlights of Dr. King’s actions and accomplishments in the civil rights movement: being fingerprinted after his arrest during the Montgomery bus boycott; his 1963 “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial; and his 1964 acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Confucius (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of Confucius’s biography and philosophy from the Famous Authors series contextualizes Confucius’s life during the Zhou Dynasty, relaying the Chinese values of family and ancestor worship, history and record keeping, and spirituality. The program shows how this time saw many intellectual developments, as concepts of morality and peace were also emerging—and the major influence of Confucius and his Analects, a collection of epigrams, on Chinese culture. He focused on four major issues: helping people to be good, honorable, and responsible members of society; learning and education; filial duty; and ritual and music. The video illuminates many of his epigrams on these topics and distinguishes between Confucianism, which focuses on personal behavior, and other religions which depend on exclusive priesthoods and common beliefs. (36 minutes)

Charles Dickens (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of Charles Dickens’s life and work from the Famous Authors series discusses the author’s happy childhood, during which he was close to his father and went to school. However, financial troubles later forced the family to move to London, and Dickens began absorbing the bustling city couched in fog where his novels would be set. Due to his father’s debt, he could no longer attend school but rather worked in a factory while his family was in debtor’s prison. The contrast between his younger years and this experience of poverty marked his fiction forever. Eventually Dickens was able to return to school and become a law reporter, and he grew to dislike law and satirize it. The success of The Pickwick Papers started his life as a popular, successful public figure, and he proceeded to work hard on serials, novels, theatrical endeavors, and editing magazines throughout his life. (37 minutes)

Emily Dickinson (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of the life and literature of Emily Dickinson from the Famous Authors series offers an insight into the reclusive author of 1,775 poems and a valuable collection of letters. The video depicts Dickinson’s story as that of an individual in a society that smothers individuality and discusses the struggle of a female poet among male contemporaries. She did, however, know of and admire women writers like George Eliot and the Bronte sisters. She read avidly, and the video discusses the strong influence Shakespeare's work had on her. Dickinson lived next door to her closest friends—her brother Austin and his wife Susan Gilbert—in the family house, The Homestead, in Amherst, Massachusetts, a place still influenced by the puritanical tradition of practicality, work ethic, and faith at the time, and despite her reclusive reputation did have other meaningful friendships and correspondences. (32 minutes)

William Faulkner (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of the biography and fiction of William Faulkner from the Famous Authors series introduces the major themes of Faulkner’s poems, plays, short stories, and novels. The film contextualizes life in the American south in the first half of the 20th century; Faulkner’s southern upbringing, family history, and race relations in the wake of the Civil War were a major influence on his fiction. In 1924, Faulkner left his small town of Oxford and spent six months in New Orleans, where he was finally able to see the conditions of his upbringing from a distance and become acquainted with a literary circle with Sherwood Anderson at the center, jump-starting his serious fiction writing. (35 minutes)

George Eliot (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of the life and literature of George Eliot from the Famous Authors series follows Eliot’s comfortable childhood through the several phases of her education and religious development, during which she discovered major influences like Sir Walter Scott, Shakespeare, and evangelism. Later in life, she moved away from her evangelist views, eventually leaving the Church of England altogether, and took a liking to the Romantic poets. The video traces Eliot’s entrance into journalism, via editing The Westminster Review, through her successful career as a novelist. (36 minutes)

Victor Hugo (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This program from the Famous Authors series provides an overview of the life and writings of Victor Hugo, author of the novels The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables. The video contextualizes Hugo's childhood as the son of an officer in Napoleon's army during the French Revolution. As a schoolboy, Hugo began cultivating his talents as a journalist and poet, and his older brother nurtured these talents and arranged for the publication of his first book of poetry. By his early 20s, he enjoyed much public recognition, and the video illuminates the connections between the tumultuous political developments in France and Hugo's personal life and literary production. (47 minutes)

Henry James (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This overview of Henry James' life and literature from the Famous Authors series begins with James' comfortable boyhood in New York, during which his father moved James and his brother around and back and forth from Europe frequently for the sake of education. He eventually went to Harvard to study law and began writing, but felt uncomfortable with American culture and left for England, where he spent most of the rest of his life. (37 minutes)

James Joyce (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

This program from the Famous Authors series traces James Joyce's life from his childhood and university days in Ireland, during which he was strongly religious, through his time in Paris where he denounced Catholicism, studied medicine, and began writing poetry, articles, and book reviews. The film introduces viewers to the city of Dublin, the background of Ulysses, Dubliners, and his other works. Joyce made a spotty living writing and teaching, but often struggled with money and drinking. (37 minutes)

D. H. Lawrence (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

In this overview of D. H. Lawrence's life and work from the Famous Authors series, viewers are introduced to the conditions of the mining town in England in which Lawrence was born and to his relationship with his mother, both of which reappear in Sons and Lovers and his other fiction. The film follows Lawrence and his wife Frieda through their many moves, the inspiration he gained from their travels, their struggles with money, literary success, the public scandal of censorship trials, and political scrutiny. (36 minutes)

Edgar Allan Poe (A Concise Biography)

Academy Media

In this introduction to Edgar Allan Poe's life and work from the Famous Authors series, viewers follow Poe's early life and fortunate adoption by the Allans. Poe's relationship with Frances Allan was tender, but he and John Allan did not get along. His stepfather sent him away to university and then cut him off completely. In response, Poe went to Boston and joined the army, but persisted writing. Eventually being dismissed from West Point, he went to live with Poe relatives in Baltimore and continue his writing and publishing. There he fell in love with his young cousin Virginia and brought her to Richmond, Virginia and later to New York and Philadelphia, to live with him throughout his literary ups and downs. (36 minutes)

Camelot: Ancient Mysteries

A&E

Camelot’s court was home to lords and ladies, knights and sorcerers. The mythic tales of King Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere inspired stories, books, movies, and a Broadway classic. In this episode of Ancient Mysteries, historians and archaeologists lead us throughout England and Wales in search of Camelot and the truth behind one of the Western world’s most beloved legends. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Child Street Performer, 1898

The WPA Film Library

Young boy about age 12, a street entertainer, performs acrobatic stunts for the camera. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Queen Victoria in Dublin, 1900

British Pathe

Queen Victoria Visits Dublin Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Women's Fashion, ca. 1900

British Pathe

Early 1900s women's fashions Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Skyscraper Construction, 1901

The WPA Film Library

Some daring construction workers get a ride down from new skyscraper via the crane. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Star Theater Demolished, 1902

The WPA Film Library

The 1902 demolition of the famous Star Theatre in NYC, filmed using time-lapse photography. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Horse Drawn Carriage Traffic, 1902

The WPA Film Library

Parade of fine horses and fashionable carriages; bridge/ aqueduct in BG. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The Wright Brothers, ca. 1903

British Pathe

Wright Brothers flight with VO explanation that describes a flight where they break altitude record; and the birth of commercial aviation where a passenger is included with the pilot. Sound effects have been added. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Blackwell Island, 1903

The WPA Film Library

"Panorama of Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) NYC. At the time a place for warehousing undesirables. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

New York City Construction Site, 1903

The WPA Film Library

Shot from within an excavation pit at NYC construction site. A crew of six men can be seen shoveling dirt into a four-wheeled wooden cart. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Garbage Incineration, 1903

The WPA Film Library

Sorting Refuse at Incinerating plant. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Fire Boat Demonstration, 1903

The WPA Film Library

Demonstration by the fireboat "New Yorker" with all its nozzles spurting water in all directions as it goes back and forth in front of the camera. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

New York City Fire Department, 1903

The WPA Film Library

New York Fire Department Returning. Film of several horse-drawn fire vehicles driving down street: two hook-and-ladders, two steam pumpers, a rescue wagon. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Westinghouse Foundry, 1904

The WPA Film Library

Tapping a furnace at Westinghouse foundries Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Street Car Motor Factory, 1904

The WPA Film Library

Very dramatic tracking shot over factory interior where street car motors are made. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Early Aviation, 1906

British Pathe

Early aviation (1906) effort by Danish aviation pioneer Jacob Christian Ellehammer who made the first powered flight in Europe. Shots of strange 3-tiered plane attempting to fly, 3 men help to guide/control it as it flops around. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Skyscraper Construction, 1906

The WPA Film Library

Melodrama "The Skyscrapers of New York" Part 1. Part 1 sets the scene with shots of real work crews: bricklayers, riveters, workers sitting astride the steel framework setting a girder in place, several workers hanging on a crane line, etc. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Troops , ca. 1910

British Pathe

French troops fire cannon, one shell after the other, in precise repetition; artillery; World War I. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Sailors, ca. 1910

British Pathe

World War I: Sailors onboard French submarine. Loading torpedo; U-boat at sea. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Pioneer Aviators, ca 1910

British Pathe

British "Aero-club": Pioneer aviators in their airplanes- very clean and good interstitles explain who's who. Early aviation. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Portuguese Revolution, 1910

British Pathe

Portuguese Revolution: Scenes in Lisbon. Barricading streets of capital; crowds milling around; soldiers; cannons; armed men and soldiers. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Chicago Stockyards Part III, ca. 1910

The WPA Film Library

Chicago Stockyards/meat packing industry. Pork packing plant and sausage making. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Suffragettes Protest, ca. 1910

British Pathe

British Suffragist march. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Early Automobiles, ca. 1910

British Pathe

Early automobile stunt: Car drives down ramp, jumps over house, splat. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ship Launched from Dry-dock Part I, ca. 1910

British Pathe

Shipbuilding, drydock, launching scenes. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Founding of Pravda, 1912

The WPA Film Library

Founding of Pravda and early Soviet history. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

King George V and Kaiser Wilhelm, 1913

British Pathe

King George V of England visits his first cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. The next year, World War I began. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Irish Protest Conscription, ca. 1914

British Pathe

Ireland - Protest demonstration against Conscription. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

HMS Britannic Part I, 1914

British Pathe

Passenger liner HMS Britannic under construction at Belfast shipyard. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

HMS Britannic Part II, 1914

British Pathe

Passenger liner HMS Britannic under construction at Belfast shipyard. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Women Working in a Factory Part II, ca. 1915

British Pathe

Factory labor: Women at benches operate machines; men draw white-hot steel bars out of a press machine; welders with goggles under watch of foreman weld lengths of steel cable together; working class; industrial; sweatshop. At Britain's General Electric Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Men Working in a Factory, ca. 1915

British Pathe

Factory labor: Men work at assembly of an electric motor; child labor in sorting parts industry. At Britain's General Electric company. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

US Military Equipment, 1916

British Pathe

Testing of Lewis machine guns by US Army; before the USA's entry into World War One. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The Easter Uprising Part I, ca. 1916

British Pathe

Dublin destruction after Easter Rising. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Military Armor, 1917

British Pathe

Early armored vehicle (tank) demonstrated. In field and woods, knocking over small trees. French, World War I. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Russian Revolution in Petrograd, ca. 1917

The WPA Film Library

Russian Revolution: Fighting near Petrograd after Bolshevik seizure of power. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Military Equipment, ca. 1917

British Pathe

Demonstration of “liquid fire” (flamethrower). English title refers to beating the "huns" (Germans) at their own game. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Leaders Visit Britain, 1918

British Pathe

State visit to Britain by France's premier Georges Clemenceau and Marshal Ferdinand Foch; in December 1918 Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Inside Soviet Russia, ca. 1918

British Pathe

"Inside Soviet Russia": Images of peasant life since start of Bolshevik rule. Titles are skeptical of the Bolsheviks; peasants look very tired, hungry and dirty. Vaccinations, relief supplies. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Infantry Advance, ca. 1918

British Pathe

Smoke bombs hide British infantry advance. Great visuals. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

World War I - Armistice, 1918

The WPA Film Library

WWI - American celebration of Armistice Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Twin-Prop Biplane, 1919

The WPA Film Library

First of the Atlantic Fliers - twin-prop biplane to cross Atlantic. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

US Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , 1919

The WPA Film Library

Consecration of Tomb of Unknown Soldier, USA: Woodrow Wilson and Marshal Foch present. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

General Louis Botha of South Africa, 1919

British Pathe

On the Death of General Botha: Retrospective material of South African statesman General Louis Botha, Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, 1910-19. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Treaty of Versailles Negotiations, 1919

British Pathe

Delegates at the Versailles Treaty. Group includes Australian PM Hughes; Serbian, Greek, Japanese leaders; Berthelot of France. Copyright The WPA Film Library.