BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN

(director/writer: Bernard MacMahon; screenwriter: Allison McGourty; cinematographer: Vern Moen; editor: Dan Gitlin; music: Led Zeppelin; cast: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham; Runtime: 121; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Ged Dougherty, Duke Erikson, Bernard MacMahon, Allison McGourty; Paradise Pictures/Sony Picture Classics; 2025-UK/USA)

“Rather superficial rock music doc.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Bernard MacMahon (“American Epic”/”The Big Bang”) directs this first-time Zeppelin authorized musical documentary on the legendary English rock band, who reached their heights in the 1970s and beyond. The pic takes us up to 1969, when they reached an international audience after Jimmy Page of the disbanded Yardbirds formed the band in 1968. The pic by ending so soon after their initial success never seemed as if it told the best of the band’s colorful story in this rather superficial rock music doc.

Appearing in the film are the band’s three elderly survivors–Jimmy Page (guitarist), Robert Plant (lead singer), and John Paul Jones (bass player/keyboardist). They regale us with their wit, charm and storytelling ability. There’s also an archival interview with John Bonham, their rowdy drummer, an original band member. He died at age 32 in 1980 of pulmonary aspiration. As a result the band broke up and the guys went solo.

The band got their name as a joke from the Who drummer, Keith Moon, who expected them to soon crash.

The no-frills film is filled with photos of the band as children, invaluable concert clips and archival footage previously unseen. It highlights the band’s loud brand of rock music, and includes songs such as a Whole Lotta Love but no Stairway to Heaven–that came after 1969. The band’s first two successful albums—”Led Zeppelin” and “Led Zeppelin II,” both released in 1969—were arranged by their shrewd manager Peter Grant.

REVIEWED ON 2/20/2025  GRADE: B-
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