The Song Remains the Same

What even is this? Watching it was a surreal, sometimes dull, sometimes very engrossing experience. Reflecting back on it, it feels something like a fever dream in all honesty. Comparing a movie to a fever dream would usually be a negative, but with this, it's not totally the case, as this is too bizarre and out there (and every now and then actually quite interesting) to call bad. Although when it comes to recommending it... that's an entirely different, far more difficult question.

I could spend hundreds, even thousands of words here trying to define what genre this movie falls into. I can't even call it a documentary exactly, and as 'movie' is the most general word I can think of, we'll go with that. Okay, sometimes it's a concert film. Sometimes it tries to document Led Zeppelin's trials and tribulations while on tour, with detours regarding angry band managers, stolen money, and rowdy fans. Sometimes it shows strange fantasy sequences with the band members, and honestly I got Monty Python & The Holy Grail vibes from some of these. They're occasionally interesting, sometimes dull, but usually... interesting.

It's a weak, vague word when it comes to film criticism: "interesting." But when the thing being critiqued is as strange as The Song Remains The Same, what choice do I have? Well, I could ramble on and on, and go around in circles trying to even break down what this is, and whether it's good or bad or groundbreaking or self-indulgent and stupid, or whether it's all of those, and if so, in what quantities and at what points does it reflect each.

If you're a Led Zeppelin fan you might love this. Or you might hate it. You might not even listen to much classic rock but still get a kick out of the 70s aesthetic and its dirty excesses, and absolutely bizarre detours and fantasy segments. I could see certain people indulging in certain substances and maybe getting a kick out of it in that regard- maybe that's what's led to its cult following? The members of the band certainly looked like they were under the influence of one or more things at certain points, so who knows? Maybe that's the only way viewers can get on their level.

Ultimately, my star rating is mostly arbitrary. I can't give it a bad rating, because I did gladly watch all of it and some parts I liked. But I can't give it a great one, because it's just too messy and scattershot, but then again... that's part of its appeal... I think (?)

What a strange experience though. Only in the 70s could one of the most popular, direct, and accessible rock bands in existence make something this brazenly bizarre.

I am a huge fan of Led Zepellin, but I found this concert film underwhelming. I would much rather listen to their second album than listen to this footage. I just don't believe the film does justice to the group's talents.

I know other will disagree, simply because it is Led Zep, but don't we have a right to expect better?

For those who worshiped the ground that Led Zeppelin walks on,this is the movie to see and it features two and a half hours of the band in all of its glory. This was a band whom were the pioneers of heavy metal/classic rock and this was a band whom were the most powerful influence on the culture of the 1970's,when the band were at the peak of their prime. Based on their LIVE 1973 concert at New York's Madison Square Garden,you got to see the founding fathers of their day--Robert Plant,John Paul Jones,John Bonham as they deliver the goods to some of the best rock ballads of their day---songs like "Whole Lotta Loving" and many more were the order. It may drag on some,but it's worth seeing anyway,for those who love their Zeppelin---hard,edgy,and demandable. I have seen this film over several times,and its rocks!!!! Catch it sometime during a midnight screening with some buddies at your local theatre or on some university campus.

My subject is more of a commentary on the band, not the movie. I'm not really a "Led Head". I didn't discover them until the late 80's. I just wish I was born 10 years earlier so I could have experienced them (and other great 70's bands) first hand.

I was 6 when this movie was released and didn't get into the concert scene until rock was in "spin-off mode" (The Firm, Plant, Dio, Ozzy, etc.). But still... This movie is a PERFECT snap shot of the 70's concert scene... Jimmy (Page) with his cosmic pants and girls with neon blue eye shadow.

The movie isn't that great if you're looking at it as a technical piece (direction, cinematography, etc.). But it excels at helping us remember what that period was like. Again, a 14 year old Britany fan will NEVER understand it. It's for those of us who were a part of that dynasty. It's "Classic Rock Video". You watch it... and remember what it was like in the "good old days".

I'm still amazed at how these guys were gods in the music industry. Talk about leaving your mark. They defined a generation and changed the lives of millions, just as The Beatles did a decade before. This kind of fame will never happen again (in corporate America). Do InSync fan's think the same way as we thought about The Beatles and Led Zeppelin? :)

Again, this movie wasn't great (technically), but if you were even remotely a part of this era, it's a must see. I gave it a 7/10 just because I get chills thinking about how these guys were living legends and it seemed like they knew how to handle it.

The film must not be judged with today's yardstick. We must appreciate that first of all The Song Remains The Same was probably never meant to be a film but a visual of what a Led Zeppelin concert was all about and even more probably meant for their musical fans and others interested in rock music. I've seen this film several times when I was still a young school boy. By then I was already familiar with the Music and the many variations of the main scores which Led Zeppelin were already renowned for.

I disagree with your correspondent who judged the band by virtue of this film and stated that Led Zeppelin is the most over rated band. There are many musicians I don't mind calling geniuses such as Mike Oldfield, Queen, Beatles, Pink Floyd etc. But certainly Led Zeppelin deserve to be at the top of the list with songs such as Kashmir, Heartbreaker, Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Dazed and Confused, In the Light, Whole Lotta Love, Battle of Evermore and my all time favourite Since I've been Loving You.

My advice - before seeing the film become familiar with the great songs.