[Python] Extract images from .idx3-ubyte file or GZIP via Python

I have created a simple function for facerecognition by using the facerecognizer from OpenCV. It works all fine with images from people.

Now I would like to make a test by using handwritten characters instead of people. I came across MNIST dataset, but they store images in a weird file which I have never seen before.

I simply need to extract a few images from:

train-images.idx3-ubyte


and save them in a folder as .gif

Or am I missunderstand this MNIST thing. If yes where could I get such a dataset?

EDIT

I also have the gzip file:

train-images-idx3-ubyte.gz


I am trying to read the content, but show() does not work and if I read() I see random symbols.

images = gzip.open("train-images-idx3-ubyte.gz", 'rb')
print images.read()


EDIT

Managed to get some usefull output by using:

with gzip.open('train-images-idx3-ubyte.gz','r') as fin:
for line in fin:
print('got line', line)


Somehow I have to convert this now to an image, output:



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