The Great Falls UFO Film

On August 15, 1950, Nick Mariana, manager of the Great Falls baseball team, filmed two bright objects moving across the Montana sky. The footage, one of the oldest UFO films, has been analyzed for decades without definitive explanation.

The Sighting

Mariana and his secretary Virginia Raunig were checking the field before a game when they noticed two bright objects in the sky. Mariana ran to his car and retrieved his 16mm camera.

The Film

Mariana captured approximately 16 seconds of film showing two bright objects moving in tandem across the sky. The objects appear to rotate while maintaining formation. The film has been analyzed repeatedly.

The Analysis

The Air Force initially suggested the objects were reflections of jet aircraft. However, flight records showed no jets in the area at the time. Independent analysis has not identified the objects conclusively.

The Controversy

Mariana claimed the Air Force removed the best frames showing the objects more clearly. The Air Force denied this. The dispute has never been resolved. What remains shows unexplained bright objects.

The Significance

The Great Falls film is one of the oldest pieces of UFO footage in existence. Its clear provenance and multiple witnesses add credibility. Modern digital analysis has not explained what the camera captured.

Assessment

The Mariana film remains officially unexplained after more than seventy years. Whatever flew over Great Falls that August day was recorded, analyzed, and never identified.