Led Zep Delivers the Goods Onstage in Netflix Doc

In reflection, it's not strange that the documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin on Netflix opens with early 20th-century footage of WW2 bombings of Europe and the Hindenburg disaster of 1937; looking back at archival footage and early days is what this doc is largely about.

- SCOTT GARCEAU

In reflection, it's not strange that the documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin on Netflix opens with early 20th-century footage of WW2 bombings of Europe and the Hindenburg disaster of 1937; looking back at archival footage and early days is what this doc is largely about. Well, half of what it's about, actually: the other half is about first-rate glimpses of a band blasting their way through America and sleepy UK towns with high-voltage blues-rock that nobody was really ready for.

But what it plays like is those documentaries you find on The History Channel, with old black-and-white footage interspersed with octogenarian war veterans talking with great emotion about "those days." Which, of course, is fascinating, as a museum-worthy exhibit to depict history. But not exactly a lightning-and-thunder combo to depict one of the most enigmatic bands to barnstorm their way into rock history.