Watch The Nightcrawlers

It was the summer of 1967 when the Detroit riots broke out, and the city was in shambles. The Nightcrawlers, a group of fearless photojournalists, took to the streets to capture the chaos and document the struggles of the people living in the affected neighborhoods. It was a dangerous job, but someone had to do it. The Nightcrawlers risked everything to show the world what was really going on in Detroit.

Now, over 50 years later, National Geographic Channel brings you The Nightcrawlers: a documentary that tells the story of these brave individuals who, armed with nothing but their cameras, captured some of the most iconic and powerful images of the civil rights era.

The Nightcrawlers were a group of freelance photographers who worked for local newspapers and wire services. They were not afraid to get up close and personal with the action, sometimes standing only feet away from police officers who were using tear gas and firing rubber bullets at protestors. They were committed to their work, and their photographs brought the truth of what was happening on the streets of Detroit to people all over the world.

But this documentary is not just about the photography. It's about the people behind the cameras: the Nightcrawlers themselves. Through candid conversations and interviews with surviving photographers, we get an intimate look at their lives and the risks they took to tell the story of the Detroit riots. We hear about the struggles they faced, the friendships they forged, and the personal toll that covering such a violent and emotional event took on each of them.

As we watch The Nightcrawlers, we are transported back in time to the summer of 1967. Through archival footage and photos, we see what it was like to be on the ground in Detroit during the riots. We witness the anger and frustration of the protestors, the brutality of the police response, and the devastation that the riots left in their wake. We see the city torn apart, with buildings burned to the ground and streets littered with debris.

But we also see the humanity in the midst of the chaos. We see volunteers coming together to clean up the streets and help those who were affected by the riots. We see activists fighting for change and working to make their voices heard. And we see the Nightcrawlers, working tirelessly to capture the images that would tell the story of this pivotal moment in American history.

Overall, The Nightcrawlers is a powerful and moving documentary that explores the intersection of photography, journalism, and social justice. It is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the Nightcrawlers, and a reminder of the importance of bearing witness to history, even in the face of danger and adversity. If you are interested in photojournalism, civil rights, or 20th-century American history, this documentary is definitely worth your time.

The Nightcrawlers is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between July 31, 2020 and on National Geographic Channel