Rare 8mm Film of Historic Event Fetches Six-Figure Sum at Auction

A newly discovered 8mm film capturing the chaotic aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination has been sold at auction for $137,500.

At a Glance

The 8mm color home film was auctioned by RR Auction in Boston
The footage shows JFK’s motorcade speeding to the hospital after he was shot
The film was recorded by Dale Carpenter Sr. on November 22, 1963
It includes a scene of Secret Service Agent Clint Hill standing over the wounded president

Uncovering a Piece of History

An 8mm film capturing the tumultuous moments following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination has emerged from decades of obscurity, fetching $137,500 at a recent auction. The footage, recorded by Dale Carpenter Sr. on November 22, 1963, provides a raw and unfiltered glimpse into one of the most tragic days in American history.

The film had been stored in a milk crate among other family movies until Carpenter’s grandson, James Gates, discovered its significance around 2010. Initially underwhelmed, Gates’ perspective changed dramatically when he viewed the footage from Interstate 35, which shows the presidential motorcade racing towards Parkland Memorial Hospital.

A Harrowing Journey Captured on Film

The footage begins with Carpenter missing the limousine carrying President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy but capturing other vehicles in the motorcade on Lemmon Avenue. The truly gripping moments, however, unfold as the film shows the motorcade speeding down Interstate 35 after Kennedy was shot in Dealey Plaza, where Lee Harvey Oswald was positioned in the Texas School Book Depository.

One of the most poignant scenes in the film shows Secret Service Agent Clint Hill standing over the gravely wounded president and the First Lady in the limousine. This moment encapsulates the shock and desperation of those trying to save Kennedy’s life as they raced to the hospital.

The Auction and Its Aftermath

The auction, conducted by Boston’s RR Auction, drew significant interest from collectors and historians alike. The buyer, who chose to remain anonymous, recognized the historical significance of this never-before-seen footage. While the auction house has released still photos from the film, they have decided not to publicly release the video, preserving its unique status.

The emergence of this film adds another layer to the extensive documentation of that fateful day in Dallas. While the assassination itself was famously captured by Abraham Zapruder, Carpenter’s footage provides a unique perspective on the immediate aftermath, highlighting the urgency and confusion that followed the shooting.

As we approach the 60th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination, this newly uncovered footage serves as a stark reminder of the impact of that day on American history. It offers a raw, unfiltered look at a moment that changed the course of a nation, preserving the emotions and urgency of those critical minutes for future generations to study and reflect upon.