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National Film Registry

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National Film Registry
Company typeFilm preservation
IndustryArchiving
Founded
FounderUnited States Congress Edit this on Wikidata
ParentLibrary of Congress
Websiteloc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry

The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB's inception in 1988.[1][2]

History

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Throughout the 1980s, several prominent filmmakers and industry personalities in the United States, such as Frank Capra and Martin Scorsese, advocated for Congress to enact a film preservation bill in order to avoid commercial modifications (such as pan and scan and editing for TV) of classic films, which they saw as negative. In response to the controversy over the colorization of originally black and white films in the decade specifically, Representatives Robert J. Mrazek and Sidney R. Yates introduced the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, which established the National Film Registry, its purpose, and the criteria for selecting films for preservation.[3] The Act was passed and the NFR's mission was subsequently reauthorized by further acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, 2008, and 2016.[4][5][6][7] The National Film Preservation Board's mission, to which the NFR contributes, is to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage.[8] The 1996 law also created the non-profit National Film Preservation Foundation which, although affiliated with the NFPB, raises money from the private sector.[9]

Selection criteria

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"Taken together, the ... films in the National Film Registry represent a stunning range of American filmmaking—including Hollywood features, documentaries, avant-garde and amateur productions, films of regional interest, ethnic, animated, and short film subjects—all deserving recognition, preservation and access by future generations. As we begin this new millennium, the registry stands among the finest summations of American cinema's wondrous first century."

—Doctor James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress.[10]

The NFPB adds to the NFR up to 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" each year, showcasing the range and diversity of American film heritage to increase awareness for its preservation.[10] A film becomes eligible for inclusion ten years after its original release.[11] For the first selection in 1989, the public nominated almost 1,000 films for consideration. Members of the NFPB then developed individual ballots of possible films for inclusion. The ballots were tabulated into a list of 25 films that was then modified by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and his staff at the Library for the final selection.[10] Since 1997, members of the public have been able to nominate up to 50 films a year for the NFPB and Librarian to consider.[12]

The NFR includes films ranging from Hollywood classics to orphan films.[13] A film is not required to be feature-length, nor is it required to have been theatrically released in the traditional sense. The Registry contains newsreels, silent films, student films, experimental films, short films, music videos, films out of copyright protection or in the public domain, film serials, home movies, documentaries, animation and independent films. As of the 2023 listing, there are 875 films in the Registry.

Films

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Notes

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  1. ^ Numbers 1–5, 7, and 10
  2. ^ A serial of fourteen short films
  3. ^ A serial of thirteen short films
  4. ^ Remade at least 25 times; the NFR entry encompasses all versions
  5. ^ Heretic, Frontier, Lamentation, and Appalachian Spring
  6. ^ A series of seven short films
  7. ^ A serial of twenty short films
  8. ^ A series of eight short films
  9. ^ Not released until 1952
  10. ^ A collection of twenty-one short films
  11. ^ A series of seven feature films

Number of films by release year

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As of the 2023 induction there are 875 total films. For purposes of this list, multi-year serials are counted only once (as they are in the Registry) by year of completion.

Year of release Number of films
1891 1
1893 1
1894 1
1895 1
1896 2
1897 1
1898 1
1901 2
1902 1
1903 3
1904 1
1905 1
1906 3
1909 3
1910 2
1911 1
1912 5
1913 6
1914 10
1915 6
1916 6
1917 5
1918 3
1919 4
1920 8
1921 4
1922 6
1923 2
1924 7
1925 11
1926 8
1927 10
1928 18
1929 8
1930 8
1931 9
1932 10
1933 16
1934 9
1935 6
1936 12
1937 11
1938 10
1939 20
1940 18
1941 10
1942 12
1943 7
1944 13
1945 11
1946 11
1947 5
1948 9
1949 7
1950 9
1951 12
1952 6
1953 16
1954 10
1955 10
1956 10
1957 16
1958 5
1959 13
1960 7
1961 8
1962 9
1963 11
1964 11
1965 3
1966 7
1967 14
1968 15
1969 14
1970 12
1971 17
1972 13
1973 11
1974 9
1975 11
1976 13
1977 8
1978 9
1979 14
1980 10
1981 3
1982 11
1983 6
1984 12
1985 3
1986 9
1987 3
1988 8
1989 9
1990 7
1991 6
1992 4
1993 4
1994 8
1995 3
1996 2
1997 5
1998 4
1999 3
2000 2
2001 3
2002 2
2003 1
2004 1
2005 1
2006 1
2008 4
2010 1
2011 1
2013 2
Unknown 3

Age of Registry selections

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The oldest film in the registry, Newark Athlete, was released in 1891, while the most recent, 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom, were each released in 2013.

Timespan from release to selection

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Released in 1898, and selected in December 2022, Mardi Gras Carnival experienced the longest wait, at 124 years (considering the fact that the film was already almost a century old before the Registry was even established, the "wait" was technically only 33 years), while Raging Bull, released theatrically in the United States on December 19, 1980, and inducted in October 1990, holds the record for the shortest delay, having been inducted slightly shy of the 10-year minimum.[29] Only nine films have been inducted at the 10-year mark: Raging Bull, Do the Right Thing,[52] Goodfellas,[53] Toy Story,[54] Fargo,[55] 13 Lakes,[56] Freedom Riders,[57] 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom.[58]

Directors with multiple entries (2 or more)

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Academy Award-winning director John Ford has the most entries with 11 films.
Orson Welles, acclaimed filmmaker behind inductees Citizen Kane (1941), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Lady from Shanghai (1948) and Touch of Evil (1958).
Stanley Kubrick, master auteur responsible for inductees ranging from 1957's Paths of Glory to his 1980 adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hinckle, Jessica (December 21, 2021). "2021 National Film Registry Selections Reflect Diversity & Challenge Stereotypes". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Bahr, Sarah (December 14, 2021). "'Return of the Jedi' and 'The Fellowship of the Ring' Join National Film Registry". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Eagan, Daniel (2010). America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry. New York: Continuum. p. x. ISBN 978-1-4411-1647-5. OCLC 676697377.
  4. ^ "Reagan Signs Law on Film". The New York Times. September 28, 1988. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  5. ^ "Legislative Authorization". National Film Preservation Board. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  6. ^ "Public Law 110–336—Oct. 2, 2008" (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  7. ^ Chuck, Grassley (July 29, 2016). "S.2893 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2016". Congress.gov. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  8. ^ "About This Program - National Film Preservation Board". Library of Congress.
  9. ^ Fox, Michael (May 28, 2003). "Running Around San Francisco for an Education". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c "National Film Registry Adds 25 Films". Millimeter. December 17, 2002. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  11. ^ Molotsky, Irvin (September 20, 1989). "25 Films Chosen for the National Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  12. ^ Keogh, Jim (March 25, 1999). "Public gets ticket to put favorite flicks in registry" (Fee required). Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  13. ^ What Happens to Films Selected for Preservation by the Library of Congress?|Mental Floss
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Andrews, Roberts M. (October 11, 1991). "25 Films Designated For Preservation" (Fee required). St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Truitt, Brian (December 19, 2012). "'Dirty Harry,' 'Matrix' added to National Film Registry". USA Today. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "2017 Additions to the National Film Registry". CBS News. CBS. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "2008 Entries to National Film Registry Announced" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 30, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Announces 2007 Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 27, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Saperstein, Pat (December 13, 2023). "'Home Alone,Terminator 2,12 Years a Slave' Among 25 Titles Joining National Film Registry". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "25 movies chosen for the National Film Registry". The Washington Post. December 17, 2014. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Rainey, James (December 14, 2016). "'The Birds,' 'The Lion King,' 'Thelma & Louise' Join National Film Registry". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Hooray for Hollywood – Librarian Names 25 More Films to National Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. November 16, 1998. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Names 25 More Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 18, 2001. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "25 American films are added to the National Film Registry". The Prescott Courier. Associated Press. December 7, 1992. Retrieved July 22, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y National Film Preservation Board 1995 – MUBI
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "25 Films Added to National Registry". The New York Times. November 15, 1994. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Barnes, Mike (December 28, 2010). "'Empire Strikes Back,' 'Airplane!' Among 25 Movies Named to National Film Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 17, 2002. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Gamarekian, Barbara (October 19, 1990). "Library of Congress Adds 25 Titles to National Film Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Potts, Kimberly (December 28, 2011). "'Forrest Gump,' 'Airplane' Among 25 Movies Added to National Film Registry". Reuters. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "'Purple Rain,' 'Amadeus,' 'Boys Don't Cry,' 'Clerks' Enter National Film Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. December 11, 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "U.S. National Film Registry – Titles". Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "25 Films Added to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 16, 2003. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Names 25 More Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 27, 2000. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Films Added to National Film Registry for 2006" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 27, 2006. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Ulaby, Neda (December 14, 2022). "'Iron Man', 'Super Fly' and 'Carrie' are inducted into the National Film Registry". NPR. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Room for Mel, Ming and Rockers Too; Movies: Mel Brooks' 'The Producers,' 'Flash Gordon' serial and 'Woodstock' are added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry". Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1996. Archived from the original (Fee required) on January 12, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 20, 2005. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "See the 25 Movies Just Added to the National Film Registry". Time. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  40. ^ National Film Registry Adds Hits And Classics To Its List Of Inductees : NPR
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y |Morgan, David (December 16, 2015). ""Shawshank Redemption," "Ghostbusters" added to National Film Registry". CBS News. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Names 25 New Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. November 18, 1997. Archived from the original on August 11, 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Films Added to National Film Registry for 2004" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 28, 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Registry lets neglected 'Sunrise' shine in spotlight at last, fan says". The Deseret News. September 24, 1989. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Library of Congress announces 2013 National Film Registry selections". The Washington Post (Press release). December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x McNary, Dave (December 14, 2020). "'Dark Knight,' 'Shrek,' 'Grease,' 'Blues Brothers' Added to National Film Registry". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Library of Congress (December 14, 2021). "'Return of the Jedi' Among 25 Eclectic Films Joining National Film Registry". Library of Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Librarian of Congress Names 25 More Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. November 16, 1999. Archived from the original on September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Michael Jackson, the Muppets and Early Cinema Tapped for Preservation in 2009 Library of Congress National Film Registry". Library of Congress. December 30, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  50. ^ "2013 additions to National Film Registry" (8/29), CBS News.
  51. ^ Prince and 'Purple Rain' are now part of the National Film Registry - Los Angeles Times
  52. ^ Allen, Jamie (November 16, 1999). "U.S. film registry adds 25 new titles". CNN. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022.
  53. ^ "'Goodfellas' On National Film Registry". ABC News. December 27, 2000. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023.
  54. ^ DeMott, Rick (December 27, 2005). "Toy Story Added to National Film Registry". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023.
  55. ^ Boliek, Brooks (December 28, 2006). "'Rocky,' 'Fargo,' 'Saddles' join Nat'l Film Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020.
  56. ^ Ravindran, Manori (December 18, 2014). ""13 Lakes," "Strangers" added to National Film Registry". Realscreen. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021.
  57. ^ Barnes, Mike (December 14, 2020). "'The Dark Knight,' 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'The Joy Luck Club' Enter National Film Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021.
  58. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (December 13, 2023). "National Film Registry: 'Apollo 13', 'Home Alone', 'Terminator 2', '12 Years A Slave' Among 25 Titles Added This Year". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023.
  59. ^ "Personnel Credits". Library of Congress. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
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