Compelling enough to convert even non-fans of "Take It Easy" and other anti-activist '70s hits, director Alison Ellwood's epic docu "History of the Eagles -- Part One" treats the 20th century's bestselling American rock band in comprehensive fashion.
With: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Irving Azoff, Glyn Johns, David Geffen.
Compelling enough to convert even non-fans of “Take It Easy” and other anti-activist ’70s hits, director Alison Ellwood’s epic docu “History of the Eagles — Part One” treats the 20th century’s bestselling American rock band in comprehensive fashion, even as “Part Two” nominally finishes the tale; both parts air in mid-February on Showtime. Vividly annotated pic records the evolution of the “Southern California sound” as the Eagles’ peaceful, easy feeling circa ’72 turns to life in the fast lane and then to heartache tonight. Treasure trove of archival material includes fabulous footage, onstage and backstage, from a 1977 D.C. gig.
“Part One” jogs through the lean early years of co-bandleaders Don Henley and Glenn Frey, hitting their stride when catching various junior Eagles on their way through the revolving door. Candid present-day interviews with former band members — one of whom shrewdly asserts that the group hit it big in the post-Vietnam era because “young people needed to feel that things were okay” — expose the myriad interpersonal tensions that ultimately grounded the Eagles in 1980. A vintage live performance of the immortal “Hotel California” highlights a fairly butt-kicking tech package.
Popular on Variety
History of the Eagles -- Part One
Documentary
Production:
A Showtime presentation of a Mohegan Pictures production. Produced by Alex Gibney. Executive producer, Blair Foster. Co-producer, Karim Karmi. Directed by Alison Ellwood.
Crew:
Camera (color, HD), Maryse Alberti, Sam Painter; editors, Ellwood, Ben Sozanksi; music supervisor, Susan Jacobs; sound, Alan Barker, David Hocs, Tony Dancy, David Mitlyng, Gabe Monts, Brad Patterson, Clayton Perry, Mark Roy, Aaron Webster; supervising sound editor, Philip Stockton; re-recording mixer, Tom Fleischman; line producer, Erin Edeiken; associate producer, Marissa Branson. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Documentary Premieres), Jan. 19, 2013. Running time: 120 MIN.
Cast:
With: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Irving Azoff, Glyn Johns, David Geffen.
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