Review of Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same (1976) by Grant S — 04 Feb 2016

I have been a huge Led Zeppelin fan since I was eight. This film is canon to Led Zeppelin fans, and until the 80s, this was essentially most of the footage that the world was exposed to from the band. They were mysterious and larger than life. They rarely gave interviews and let their music speak for themselves. This started changing when Robert Plant embarked on his solo career in 1982.

The film is the gold standard of rock music films that all subsequent concert movies were measured to. The fantasy sequences are unique and add to the mystique surrounding the band members. Jimmy Page is The Hermit of the 4th album gatefold, actually filmed on the hill behind his Boleskine House (at the time; former house of Alesteir Crowley) . Robert Plant has a beautifully filmed rescue of a maiden in a castle tower. John Paul Jones shows a suspenseful encounter with what ends up being his family. John Bonham is in several personal scenes regarding his personal home life, cars, motorcycles and drag racing hobbies. Peter Grant, the manager is in a gangster shoot-up scene at the beginning of the film.

The concert footage was filmed in New York during the 1973 tour. Some footage filmed at Shepperton Studios was added to the concert footage to improve the overall flow.

The film's soundtrack is a popular live double album. Extended jams show the technical proficiency of the band and its members. Particularly notable is the extended Dazed And Confused, including an Elvis Presley medley of That's Alright and Mess Of Blues. This is gospel for Zeppelin fans. It will be difficult for non-fans to sit through and enjoy.