The documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin": a dive into the heart of the group's beginnings, just before takeoff

Announced for at least six years, Becoming Led Zeppelin , the first authorized documentary on the explosive rock quartet, finally arrives in theaters on Wednesday, February 26. While there is reason to rejoice, let's ward off disappointments from the outset: no references here to the group's sulphurous orgies, to drugs, or to the occult sciences favored by Jimmy Page. No trace of Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir or Immigrant Song either.

The film focuses on the genesis of the British group and its meteoric rise in less than eighteen months, between the summer of 1968 and the end of 1969, and it ends (alas) at the time of the release of their second album Led Zeppelin II .

Rest assured, there is still material. Bernard McMahon and Allison McGourty 's film is particularly worth it for the images of their first live performances, even if not always unpublished ( you can find some on the INA ), where the group appears experimental, but deeply inhabited, and in total symbiosis. " The improvisation was stratospheric" , remembers Jimmy Page, "we really wanted to make an impression through our concerts."

It is always a pleasure to see or see again Robert Plant bewitching with his fantastic range the microphone held tight in both hands, while shaking his abundant hair in rhythm. It is another to see Jimmy Page make his guitar babble with incredible velocity – which he speaks of here as Excalibur, the magic sword –, or to make it squeak spectacularly by brandishing his bow vertically. It is yet another delight to see John Bonham combine power and groove behind his drums, in a subtle dialogue with the virtuoso bass of John Paul Jones (who is also a keyboardist). The whole is stunning, electrifying, both cerebral and charged with eroticism, even with fifty years of hindsight, notably on the fantastic versions offered here of Dazed and Confused and What Is and What Should Never Be.

In order not to miss a crumb of the power of these live sequences, it is recommended to see this film in the immersive iMax theaters. However, we were less fond of some psychedelic montages of images of the group on audio soundtracks, probably a way to compensate for the lack of quality audiovisual archives.

Of a (slightly too) classical style, Becoming Led Zeppelin is above all an opportunity to finally hear the three survivors of the group speak – a rare word that the documentary maker Bernard MacMahon managed to obtain, it seems, with great difficulty.

Interviewed separately – forget the idea of ​​a reformation – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones recall their childhood, their inspirations, their formation at the initiative of Jimmy Page on the ashes of the Yardbirds, the development of the first two albums and the tours, offering precious insights into the birth of this group with a unique sound, major in the history of rock. The late John Bonham, who died in 1980, also testifies, via a particularly touching unpublished audio interview.

Robert Plant, 76, and his eternal lion's mane, shows humor and hides nothing of his early ambitions: engaged in accounting studies, he dropped everything after seeing Little Richard. "I was ready to do anything to sing, to get noticed and to break through." He also admits to having borrowed from the " best pieces of black music" , notably Willie Dixon on Whole Lotta Love, to write his first verses, before daring to " lay himself bare" in his lyrics.

For his part, the demiurge Jimmy Page, 81 years old and with white hair in a ponytail, was crazy about guitar from a very young age – we see him playing skiffle as a kid in a rare BBC video document. Spotted very early, he became a studio musician at an early age, and recorded notably with the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Who and Donovan. He then joined the Yardbirds at the invitation of his friend Jeff Beck, before becoming their lead guitarist after the latter's surprise departure.

John Paul Jones, 79, smiling and very outgoing, tells how he became, at 14, a choirmaster and organist of a parish, although he was not very religious, before working as a studio musician himself. With Jimmy Page, they would find themselves at the heart of a full orchestra during the recording of Goldfinger with Shirley Bassey for the James Bond soundtrack.

As for John Bonham, he remembers getting his first drum kit at the age of 10 after discovering drummer Gene Krupa in a film. He also highlights the enormous influence that soul music had on him, and in particular the drumming of James Brown, whom he sought to emulate.

This first third of the film may seem a bit long, but it allows us to understand the future alchemy of the group and how the ideal puzzle falls into place from the very first time they play together, in London, in August 1968. " It was the perfect match. We started with Train Kept A-Rollin' and the studio exploded," summarizes John Paul Jones.

However, the media would not support them and they would first have to conquer North America, on tour, before triumphing at home in January 1970, at the Royal Albert Hall.

While everyone's contributions are interesting, even though they hide their dark side, Jimmy Page's are even more captivating. As an initiator, producer and musician, he details the ambitious, " radical " and very precise vision he had for albums and live performances. " We had gold in our hands and I wanted to impress everyone," he says. Along the way, he reveals a few sound "tricks" , for example concerning the reverse echo heard on You Shook Me , or the way he created the psychedelic sequence at the heart of Whole Lotta Love .

The brilliant guitarist also reminds us of something essential: "When you finance the album yourself [which he did for the first one], you are in a better position" to negotiate a deal with a record company. Presenting the album already produced and mixed to Atlantic Records allowed the group to sign advantageously while retaining decision-making control. " We could lay down the law, because the album belonged to us ." A strategy that paid off: soon, the world would belong to them.

Genre: Music Documentary Director: Bernard MacMahon and Allison McGourty Country: Great Britain Runtime: 122 minutes Release: February 26 , 2025 Distributor: Piece of Magic Entertainment France Synopsis : Becoming Led Zeppelin explores the origins of the iconic band and chronicles their meteoric rise in just one year, when nothing predicted them to become musical icons. Drawing on never-before-seen footage and live performances, director Bernard MacMahon takes audiences on an odyssey that leads them to explore the creative, musical and personal history of Led Zeppelin. The film is narrated by its members: it is the first documentary authorized by the band.