Becoming Led Zeppelin is a documentary that takes an immersive deep dive into the legendary rock band’s formative years, chronicling their journey from post-war Britain to global superstardom by 1970. Directed by Bernard MacMahon (American Epic), the film benefits from extensive archival footage, new interviews, and a narrative that sidesteps the notorious rock ‘n’ roll excess to focus on the music and camaraderie that made Led Zeppelin an unstoppable force.
The film masterfully captures the whirlwind nature of Zeppelin’s ascent—Jimmy Page, fresh off the dissolution of The Yardbirds in 1968, rapidly assembled the now-iconic lineup with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham. Within a matter of months, they had recorded their groundbreaking debut album, embarked on extensive tours across Europe and America, and cemented their reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts in history.
Among the documentary’s highlights is never-before-seen footage of their performances, including a rare glimpse of their set at the Bath Festival in 1970—footage that even Page himself had never seen before. Other memorable moments include archival audio of John Bonham speaking about the band’s chemistry, a revelation that brings a misty-eyed reaction from his former bandmates.
While the documentary provides a thrilling recount of Zeppelin’s early years, it does have its imperfections. Some of the footage is looped repeatedly due to the limited archival material, and certain audio-visual mismatches can be distracting. However, for die-hard Zeppelin fans, the film is an absolute must-watch, offering a rare chance to relive the band’s genesis through stunning visuals and the voices of the members themselves
Get the Led Out Live: A Celebration of Zeppelin’s Concert Legacy
For those who can’t get enough live Led Zeppelin, Get the Led Out Live is a must-listen radio show that airs every Wednesday night from 10 PM for three consecutive hours. This program curates the most legendary live performances from Zeppelin’s storied career, delivering a weekly dose of high-energy rock straight from the band’s golden era.
Official ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Merchandise & Streaming Available on Sunset
Fans can grab official Becoming Led Zeppelin merchandise at The Vending Lot here and stream the documentary now on Sunset TV via this link.