Filmmaker Bernard MacMahon spent 10 months researching a film about Led Zeppelin, taking a massive risk by trying to get the three surviving members on board. With Scottish partner Allison McGourty, they put together a storyboard, watched every interview, and scoured archive films to tell the story of the band’s early years in the late 60s.
Jimmy Page, the guitarist who joined the Yardbirds before forming Led Zeppelin, agreed to meet with MacMahon in November 2017. Despite initial reservations, he eventually agreed to participate, bringing his old diaries dating back to the 60s to share.
John Paul Jones, the bass and keyboard player, was initially hesitant but eventually warmed up after watching a documentary series called American Epic. Robert Plant, the enigmatic singer, seemed the least likely to talk, but eventually agreed to meet with MacMahon and McGourty after discovering his passion for the same film.
The interviews were conducted in 2018, and the duo worked tirelessly to source rare archive recordings to complete the film. They even traveled across America and Britain to find high-quality footage of Led Zeppelin’s early performances.
The resulting film is a self-contained story that captures the essence of Led Zeppelin’s rise to fame. MacMahon says he aimed to keep the three surviving members in the “moment,” reliving their stories as they faced obstacles along the way. The final song, What Is and What Should Never Be, filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in 1970, serves as a triumphant finale that leaves out some of the band’s later excesses.
Despite not appearing on TV or giving interviews to promote the film, the three surviving members have issued quotes expressing their admiration for the project. With its rare footage and behind-the-scenes insights, Becoming Led Zeppelin is a must-see documentary that sheds new light on one of rock history’s most fascinating stories.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/04/becoming-led-zeppelin-sweet-talked-first-film