*Becoming Led Zeppelin*, the first officially sanctioned documentary about the legendary rock band, opens with a visceral burst of “Good Times Bad Times,” paired with electrifying live footage of the quartet in their prime. Interspersed with this are grainy black-and-white clips of wartime Britain, including a newspaper headline from May 1945, anchoring the band’s origins in the shadow of World War II. While Led Zeppelin is hardly a “war band,” the film establishes that its members—Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham—were all 1940s-born, their lives and music shaped by the post-war era’s blend of hardship and hope. As Jimmy Page reflects, “at the end of the second World War, there was this great feeling of hope towards the future.” This opening sets the tone for a documentary that lets the band’s music roar, their voices narrate, and historical visuals provide context, creating an immersive yet uneven exploration of their rise.
The documentary’s title, *Becoming Led Zeppelin*, signals its focus on the band’s formative years, tracing their journey from childhood to their explosive debut. Early segments delve into the members’ origins, complete with baby photos, tales of their parents, and quirky clips like a young Robert Plant in a school parade. While these anecdotes will delight diehard fans, they feel overly detailed and risk alienating casual viewers, who may find the band’s actual performances a better entry point. More compelling is the film’s exploration of the musical influences that shaped each member. Clips of icons like the Johnny Burnette Trio, Lonnie Donegan, Gene Krupa, and Little Richard—whose electrifying “Long Tall Sally” performance, with one leg slung over a piano, is a highlight—vividly illustrate the eclectic roots of Zeppelin’s sound. These segments, paired with the band members’ own reflections, offer a rich tapestry of the 1950s and 1960s music scenes that fuelled their creativity.
The documentary shines when it lets the band members—Page, Plant, and Jones, with archival input from the late Bonham—speak for themselves in newly recorded interviews. Their stories of discovering skiffle, blues, and rock ’n’ roll, combined with footage of influences like Sonny Boy Williamson, James Brown, and Shirley Bassey, reveal the depth of their musical education. The film deftly weaves these influences into the narrative of how Page, a prolific session musician, assembled the band from the ashes of The Yardbirds. However, the pacing falters at times, with some segments lingering too long on pre-Zeppelin minutiae, such as the members’ early gigs with lesser-known acts like Carter-Lewis and the Southerners. While these details flesh out the band’s origins, they occasionally disrupt the momentum, making the film feel more like a history lesson than a rock ’n’ roll odyssey.
Visually and sonically, *Becoming Led Zeppelin* is a treat, with restored archival footage and a soundtrack that lets classics like “Communication Breakdown” and “Immigrant Song” thunder through. The decision to focus on the band’s pre-1970 era, culminating in their meteoric rise with *Led Zeppelin I* and *II*, keeps the narrative tight but leaves fans craving insight into their later years. The absence of commentary on their post-1970 career or Bonham’s 1980 death feels like a missed opportunity, though it aligns with the film’s stated aim of charting their “becoming.” Director Bernard MacMahon’s choice to blend historical context with personal anecdotes and blistering performances creates a documentary that feels both nostalgic and scholarly, though it occasionally struggles to balance the two. For fans, the rare footage and candid interviews are worth the price of admission alone.
Ultimately, *Becoming Led Zeppelin* is a love letter to the band’s roots and the era that birthed them, offering a detailed portrait of how four working-class lads from post-war Britain redefined rock music. While it may not convert new fans due to its deep dive into obscure details, it’s a treasure trove for devotees eager to see Page, Plant, and Jones reflect on their origins with clarity and passion. The film’s strength lies in its ability to let the music speak—those iconic riffs and wails need no embellishment. Available in UK cinemas and select IMAX screenings from February 2025, it’s a must-watch for Zep heads, though casual viewers may wish for a tighter focus on the band’s electrifying prime. *Becoming Led Zeppelin* captures the spark of a band on the cusp of greatness, even if it doesn’t always sustain the fire.
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