1967 Detroit Riot: A Community Speaks

There's a homely air to this documentary by Sedric Sawyer on the Detroit racial unrest of July 1967 that led to more than 40 deaths and 7,000 arrests, as well as to the intervention of Michigan National Guard troops and U.S. Army forces. But the relative simplicity of presentation turns out to be a strength, giving the hour-long film a personal touch that ultimately makes it more poignant and persuasive. Combining narration by the filmmaker, background material on the affected neighborhoods, interviews (with local activists, political leaders, and journalists), archival footage and photos, and sociological commentary from experts, 1967 Detroit Riot describes the course of events over the five days of disorder, and looks at the rioting and its aftermath in a historical context. Admittedly, the documentary would have benefited from greater polish in the narration and occasional title cards (both of which exhibit a few grammatical gaffes that sometimes take the film's down-to-earth quality to excess); still, this will be useful in a variety of academic disciplines, and is therefore recommended, overall. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)