Directed By: Alison Ellwood

If you are a fan of The Eagles, you should know how many members came and went before they hit big. If you don’t, you just cannot afford missing this documentary. The band that ran up a string of hits through the seventies amid controversy, from band member changes to almost killing each other due to egotistical differences; bring you their story, narrated ably by Texan drumming/vocalist wunderkid Don Henley. The 3 hour plus documentary takes fans down memory lane giving insight as to what made The Eagles what they are today. This documentary tells the story of the granddaddies of rock from Henley and Frey’s perspective. Both are honest, blunt at times, abusive and committed to what they have to say on a band they formed over 40 years ago.

On the first DVD we journey down the road of Texas as Henley talks about his beginning and association with different bands, eventually forming The Eagles. Lots of rare footage from every stage of the band's life, Southern California in the 70's, the seventies haircuts, concert and studio footage, in depth interviews with people the band was associated with. We have Glyn Johns, David Geffen, Jackson Browne, Bob Seeger, Linda Ronstadt, to every other band member that was part of The Eagles success, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Don Medler who all agree to be interviewed and also lambast other members.

We also get educated on the turmoil that went on within the band, the early comings and goings of band members leading up to a bitter breakup with lead guitarist Don Felder. The music gels well with the narrative, sticking closely to the evolution of the band, their touring, their tryst with drugs and alcohol, their albums, to their sudden split in mid 1980.

The Eagles' folk – rock - country styling with dashes of rock'n'roll cannot be missed, especially when you go back to witnessing the making of iconic songs like Take It Easy, One of These Nights, Take It To The Limit, One Of These Nights, Lyin' Eyes, and their albums ‘Desperado’, ‘Hotel California’ among many others. Don’t miss out on the mention of The Eagles self titled debut album and the spread eagled image.

The second DVD details the members as they seek separate careers. Don Henley who alongwith Glenn Frey was the backbone in the songwriting department, takes off into a successive solo career with Glenn Frey also making his move later on. The film pans into Henley’s success as a solo act, moving to acting and finally TV serials. Post the split, the film recounts their impressive comeback of the remaining Eagles (Frey, Walsh, Henley and bassist Timothy B. Schmit) in 1990 with the Hell Freezes Over tour to their album ‘Long Road out Of Eden’.

So what's missing? Besides a dig into how Henley and Frey composed their music, we also miss the women who fell in love with them, as we see nothing of it. There’s nothing of the personal side of the band. That aside, this is a must see for Eagle fans. It is an entertaining journey through the lives of one of America's musical treasures.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira