The Great Falls Film
In 1950, a baseball manager filmed two bright spots crossing the sky over a Montana stadium. Experts argued about the film for decades.
What was reported
On 15 August 1950, Nick Mariana, the manager of the Great Falls baseball team, was inspecting the empty ballpark when he saw two bright, spinning silver objects moving across the sky. He fetched his 16mm camera and filmed them for about 16 seconds.
He sent the film to the Air Force, which returned it with frames missing, he said, those showing the objects most clearly. It became one of the most studied UFO films of its time.
Explanations offered
The Air Force concluded they were probably two jet fighters, which were known to be landing nearby, catching the sunlight. Later analysts, including the Condon Committee, couldn't rule that out but found it hard to fit. The case is still debated.
- When
- 15 August 1950
- Where
- Great Falls, Montana, USA
- Witnesses
- The manager of a minor-league baseball team and his secretary
- Status
- Disputed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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