Film
Motion picture films are shot in 24 fps (frames per second - full-images) usually on 35 mm film material.
NTSC (National Television System Committee)
This standard is used particularly in America. NTSC altogether uses 525 scan lines, thereof approx. 485 are visible. The refresh rate is 29.97 Hz or 29.97 fps respectively. This corresponds to 59.94 Hz (interlaced - half-images) or 59.94 fields/s (59.94?) respectively which can be derived from the NTSC 2:3-Pulldown based on 23.976 fps of NTSC films. The digital standard resolution is 720x480 pixel for DVDs.
PAL (Phase Alternating Line)
This standard is used particularly in Europe. PAL altogether uses 625 scan lines, thereof approx. 575 are visible. The refresh rate is 25 Hz or 25 fps respectively. This corresponds to 50 Hz (interlaced) or 50 fields/s respectively. The digital standard resolution is 720x576 pixel for DVDs. Related to NTSC, PAL has a shorter run time because of the higher amount of "fps" - PAL movies are (normally) not cut, but they are "faster" (PAL Speedup).
source and more information: http://www.paradiso-design.net/videostandards_en.html