Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

archival footage

noun

ˈärˌkīvəl ˈfo͞odɪj

Definition

Archival footage refers to film or video materials that have been preserved and are used in documentaries, films, and other media productions to provide historical context or add authenticity to a narrative.

Examples

The documentary featured archival footage from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
Using archival footage of famous speeches adds depth to the biopic.
Many historical documentaries rely heavily on properly digitized archival footage.

Meaning

The term denotes old recorded materials that document past events, which can be used to enhance storytelling by providing visual evidence from the era being depicted.