Following the band through the music scene of the 1960s and their meeting in the summer of 1968, Becoming Led Zeppelin explores their meteoric rise to fame and most importantly the incendiary live performances that have cemented their reputation as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Rather than attempting to encapsulate their entire careers this documentary (the first actively participated in by the band) zeroes in on a brief period culminating in 1970, focusing on the how and why of what they were doing from post-war childhoods spent obsessed with American rhythm and blues to sudden mega-stardom. Alongside never-before-seen footage, Becoming Led Zeppelin includes new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, as well as rare archival interviews with the band's late drummer John Bonham, and is a must-see for anyone who's ever gotten the Led out.

A documentary film officially sanctioned by Led Zeppelin was never going to get into any of the thorny arguments or controversies that have surrounded the band, but what it does deliver is unparalleled access to their personal archives. There are piquant reflections on the good old days of playing in tiny clubs and pubs in front of bewildered audience before Becoming Led Zeppelin delivers on its titular promise, tracing the inception and eventual performance of classic tracks like "Whole Lotta Love" and the electrifying festival shows that changed rock music in the 1970s. Director MacMahon has described the music in this film as "the central character" and wisely lets it take centre stage, making Becoming Led Zeppelin the next best thing to being there.