A vintage Bell & Howell 8mm camera, film canisters, and archival papers on a research desk

Frames 1–486 · November 22, 1963

The Zapruder Film,
Frame by Frame

A weekly investigative podcast hosted by the litigator who fought for access to the film.

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Hosted by Mark L. Javitch. Every episode is anchored in primary sources, legal filings, and forensic evidence.

Evidence before speculation

Explore the Investigation

Weekly Investigative Podcast

In-depth conversations, historical context, and expert analysis of the film and the record.

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Interactive Topic Board

Suggest a question, explore ideas from fellow listeners, and help shape the research agenda.

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140+ Primary-Source Documents

Explore original files, exhibits, transcripts, and archival material related to the film.

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The series

Episodes to explore

Episode guide

Episode 01Archives

Why This Film Still Matters

Mark L. Javitch introduces the film, the litigation, and the archive behind this investigation.

Episode 02Chain of Custody

Dallas to Rochester: The First 72 Hours

Following the original film and its first-day copies through the earliest stages of its history.

Episode 03Legal & FOIA

Inside the Lawsuit

The filings, the arguments, and the legal fight for access to the Zapruder Film.

Episode 04Forensic Optics

Lens, Grain & Frame Rate

What the Bell & Howell camera could, and could not, capture.

You decide what we investigate

The Topic Board

From chain of custody to camera mechanics, follow the questions listeners want examined and send Mark a topic for a future episode.

Legal & FOIA

Suing for access: inside the Zapruder Film litigation

The case strategy, the filings, and what the courts said.

Chain of Custody

Who handled the original film between November 22 and 25, 1963?

Tracing the film from Zapruder's camera to the Kodak lab and the NPIC.

See all topic ideas

Suggest a topic

Have a question about the film, its history, or the legal record? Send it to the show.

Primary sources

From the National Archives

More than 140 historical documents related to the Zapruder Film are collected on ZapruderFilm.com. Start with a few key records.