Preston Rychetsky Led Zeppelin, the one of the most beloved (not to mention commercially successful) bands of all time, are the creators of one of the most interesting, weird and polarizing concert films of all time. The concert footage is from several 1973 performances at Madison Square Garden, and as per usual, the band rocks. Hard. The songs are a good mix from all 5 studio albums released until that point. Several concert staples are mysteriously missing, most notably Heartbreaker (and one of the better live versions, at that) and a shortage of songs from the debut. But all of this is nitpicking, as the title "The Song Remains the Same" does not hold true, as many songs are extended and improvised on quite liberally, especially, Dazed and Confused. All the concert bits are great, but the dividing thing are the live action sequences, witch range from vanity pieces to bizarre acid trips. Overall, they don't bother me, and are at least competently made, but some may feel that they distract from the music. However I more than recommend this film, for anyone who likes 70's rock, and for concert film buffs in general.

Dalbert Pringle The Song Remains The Same gives everyone a front-row seat, center, to see Led Zeppelin live. OK. This may not matter much now, but, back in 1976 it was a very big deal. Very.Back in the 1970s when Led Zeppelin reigned supreme as the ruling gods of heavy-metal rock'n'roll any fan would've gladly given their eye-teeth to attend one of their concerts.This film documents the band's 1973, sold-out concert at Madison Square Gardens, NYC. Besides there being plenty of hard-drivin' on-stage footage, this film also contains several backstage clips of the band members, plus 4 fantasy sequences (featuring the band members individually) that are basically foolish nonsense. But all is easily forgiven if you happen to be a Led Zeppelin fan.As an added bonus, the viewer also gets a rare chance to see each of the band members, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham, at home, back in England, with their respective families.On stage Led Zeppelin (who are in top form) put on a satisfactory show for a roaring, enthusiastic audience. In this film's 2.5-hour running time they manage to deliver all of their greatest tunes, including a 23-minute-long rendition of "Dazed and Confused".For anyone who enjoys Led Zeppelin, this is a highly-recommended film.And, no, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but, Led Zeppelin do not play "Stairway To Heaven" backwards.

andmatch The concert is everything in this film, and in itself, is well worth sitting through the by now very dated little dream sequences that "illustrate" the band members' personae. But remember, this was the 70's and well before the video clip sophistication to come, so although some viewers might smirk at all the mystical medieval references, the more indulgent fans will have no problem with the outmoded visuals. (Actually, Page's personal time travel trip is not too bad, and Bonham's unabashed simplicity and adhesion to the basics: drive fast, work hard, have fun, and make those drums go boom is kind of endearing.) Well, try to get past the "movie" part and concentrate on the concert; it's a thrilling show and a rare document; Led Zep at their summit doing some of their best songs (I vote for "Since I've been Loving You") and giving their fans what they want: long, elaborate Jimmy Page solos, a big thump and bump bottom line by Jones and especially Bonham, and for the ladies (and some guys, no doubt) Robert Plant in all his glory, wearing them on the left and belting out the most unforgettable vocals in the history of rock.

winner55 there's no blaming the filmmaker for the unmitigated disaster that is this film, it is all clearly the band's idea; they just seem to have forgotten what an idea is.To be sure, the sole survivor of this mess (and I include the audience at the concert this records) is Robert Plant; given the chance he reveals himself the definitive white tenor/falsetto blues singer, in complete control of his vocal range, and able to sing blues lyrics like poetry. This doesn't make him any less annoying, he just has a good voice. (Another reviewer complained he was off key; actually, Page is off key and Plant tries to get him back on.) If only he had a real blues band behind him, and didn't have to whine silly lyrics about heaven, hell and fairies.on the other hand there is the John Paul Jones masturbation number, "No Quarter", which supplied the raw material for the brilliant parody "This Is Spinal Tap".Alright, so the devil is walking with the dead: big deal. And it's all a Victorian masque after all - what disappointment! This film put an end to the concert film, and marked the beginning of the end of Led Zepplin and of the first wave of British Heavy Metal. It's easy to see why - every self-indulgent excess is worn on the sleeve of Jimmy Page, who seems to know how to play three notes very rapidly and repeated seemingly forever. Hurrah. No wonder metal heads began singing the praise of Tony Iommi so glowingly after this.No, really, if you want innovation, you listen to Greg Ginn; if you want to know where "No Quarter" ought to go, listen to Black Flag's "My War" LP; that doesn't even bother raising the question whether there is any quarter to be given, it just lashes out, cutting through all the pretentious psychedelic muck that informs this impossibly silly music video.This film pretty much put an end to one of the strangest phenomenons in music history: "British Rock and Roll"; white blues played by pill heads wanting to be Percy Shelly - HELP! There's only one thing a real rocker can say after surviving this expensive, over indulgent, over-rated piece of mud: THANK GOD FOR THE SEX PISTOLS!