3-D is Coming

"A fascinating history of 3-D and wide-screen film-making."

Dave Kehr/New York Times – October 4, 2013


"Long settled as leading authority on depth and widescreen history."

John McElwee/Greenbriar Picture Shows – October 3, 2013


Welcome to the 3-D Film Archive; the first organization dedicated to saving and preserving our stereoscopic film heritage.

Founded in 1990 by award-winning producer, author and motion picture archivist Bob Furmanek, we have located and restored original dual-strip 35mm polarized 3-D prints of more than thirty features and two dozen shorts from 1922-1955, the “Golden Age” of 3-D cinema. 


We've just launched our first Kickstarter campaign. Please spread the news and help us to save the lost 3-D feature, SEPTEMBER STORM. It has not been seen anywhere in 3-D since 1960! Click here to help.


The first documented exhibition of a stereoscopic motion picture took place on the morning of June 10, 1915 at the Astor Theater in New York. Three reels of test footage by Edwin S. Porter and William E. Waddell were presented in red/green anaglyphic 3-D. Shown were rural scenes and footage of Niagara Falls, along with an Oriental dancer and specially-filmed 3-D demo sequences from Jim the Penman with John Mason and The Morals of Marcus with Marie Doro. Shortly after the screening, several articles mentioned blurry images during fast movement. Apparently the footage was shown interlocked on two 35mm projectors that were either out-of-sync or some segments were photographed with the camera shutters severely out-of-phase. 


The Astor Theatre circa 1908. Click to enlarge.

 
 


This test footage does not survive but you can read first-hand accounts by clicking on the following articles.



To commemorate the centennial of 3-D motion pictures, we are very proud to present 3-D RARITIES, an eye-popping collection of 22 ultra-rare stereoscopic films dating back to 1922!

Please visit our 3-D Rarities page for more information.
Scroll down for the first articles and reviews.


We have restored the landmark Canadian horror classic, THE MASK.
The 3-D Blu-ray release is available from Kino-Lorber Studio Classics.





We are very pleased to announce that ONE NIGHT IN HELL will be a bonus extra on our upcoming 3-D Blu-ray release of THE MASK! From internationally award-winning animation studio and production company Unanico Group, and visionary rock musician Brian May, a 3D phenomenon of 1860s Paris is unleashed on the 21st century. “One Night in Hell” is a devilish and spectacular animation short that tells the story of one skeleton’s journey into a stereoscopic Hell. The film features exclusive new music from Brian May & the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

 

We have restored GOG for 3-D Blu-ray release by Kino-Lorber on March 1, 2016.

This project is especially gratifying because we found the only existing 35mm left side material in
the late 1990's. Greg Kintz and I are honored to be entrusted with the restoration.



More 3-D classics are coming to Blu-ray in the
very near future! Keep an eye on this page for updates.

Now Available on 3-D Blu-ray: Click each link to read the reviews.


Ronald Epstein - The HTF 3D Addict

After nearly 35 years of working to save and restore these rare films, we are delighted to share our three-dimensional treasures with the world!

None of our films are in the red/blue anaglyphic format. They will all be seen in their original and vastly superior polarized 3-D versions.

Contact us for additional information on our vast library of vintage 3-D materials, including posters, lobby cards, pressbooks and stereo slides from the Golden Age of 3-D movies.

Visit our YouTube channel for exclusive clips and footage.

Follow us on Facebook for updates.


3-D FILM ARCHIVE, LLC: PRESERVING OUR STEREOSCOPIC FILM HERITAGE SINCE 1990