'The Lost Tapes: L.A. Riots’ documentary reveals never-seen footage from Rodney King riots
The Rodney King riots took place 25 years ago, but they still feel vital today. The memory of the riots that engulfed L.A. after four white police officers were acquitted for viciously beating King on camera have lingered, especially during the outburst of fresh protests against police violence in recent years. Smithsonian Channel’s new documentary, The Lost Tapes: L.A. Riots, takes a retrospective look at the riots.
The Lost Tapes reconstructs the violence solely using footage and audio, some of which was broadcast at the time and some that has never been public before (such as L.A. Fire Department dispatch calls from the scene). There are no talking-head interviews or recreations of events. In the exclusive clip above, the film opens by running down the important dates and times about the King beating, and at what point the riots started.
Watch the clip above. The Lost Tapes: L.A. Riots premieres on the Smithsonian Channel at 8 p.m. on April 23. That month marks the 25th anniversary of the riots’ beginning.
