Becoming Led Zeppelin

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Becoming Led Zeppelin is an authorised documentary[1] film which describes the formation and early years (up to 1970) of Led Zeppelin. Directed by Bernard MacMahon, it was released in 2021 and premièred at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.[2]

Synopsis[]

It follows the 1976 film The Song Remains The Same and the Celebration Day footage of the 2007 reunion concert at London's O2 arena.

The film includes never-before-seen footage of some of the band's early U.S. and British concerts as well as an audio interview that drummer John Bonham gave to an Australian journalist before he died in 1980.

Background[]

According to Jimmy Page, he turned down a lot of “pretty miserable” pitches over the years to make a documentary about Led Zeppelin. However he received a deeply-researched proposal focusing almost exclusively on the music and chronicling the band's birth in 1968 and its early rise,[3] and gave his blessing. He appeared on the red carpet[4] at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and gave a number of promotional interviews. John Paul Jones also gave his blessing saying that the time was right for the film to be made.[5]

The film was announced in 2019, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the band forming.[6] As of September 7, 2021, the film does not have a date for cinematic release.[7]

Reception[]

The film has received mixed reviews. Rolling Stone magazine described the film as "revelatory",[8] but the Hollywood Reporter said that the film was too long and the length was unjustified.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ @ledzeppelin (6 August 2021). "'Becoming Led Zeppelin' will receive its world premiere at The 78th Venice Film Festival in September 2021.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Biennale Cinema 2021 | Becoming Led Zeppelin". La Biennale di Venezia. August 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "Jimmy Page at Venice film fest to present Led Zeppelin doc". AP NEWS. September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ Newsdesk, The Hot Press. "Jimmy Page debuts Led Zeppelin documentary at Venice film festival". Hotpress.
  5. ^ Reed, Ryan (May 8, 2019). "Led Zeppelin Documentary to Feature Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones".
  6. ^ August 2021, Jackson Maxwell 04 (August 4, 2021). "The first-ever band-sanctioned Led Zeppelin documentary has been completed". guitarworld.
  7. ^ "Watch Clip From 'Becoming Led Zeppelin' Authorized Documentary". September 4, 2021.
  8. ^ Fear, David (September 5, 2021). "'Becoming Led Zeppelin': What's In The Authorized Documentary?".
  9. ^ DeFore, John (September 4, 2021). "'Becoming Led Zeppelin': Film Review | Venice 2021".
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