nitrate film

Nitrate film refers to a type of film stock used in motion pictures from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. Made from cellulose nitrate, it is known for its excellent image quality but also for being highly flammable and unstable over time. This makes nitrate film both vibrant for filmmakers and dangerous for storage, as it can ignite spontaneously. Due to these risks, nitrate film has largely been replaced by safer materials, like acetate film. Today, many classic films shot on nitrate are preserved with special care to prevent deterioration and potential fire hazards.