History of the Eagles

January. 19,2013      NR
Rating:
8.2
Trailer Synopsis Cast

The life and times of the super successful American soft-rock band, Eagles.

Don Henley as  Self
Glenn Frey as  Self
Joe Walsh as  Self
Timothy B. Schmit as  Self
Bernie Leadon as  Self
Don Felder as  Self

Reviews

Ensofter
2013/01/19

Overrated and overhyped

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TaryBiggBall
2013/01/20

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

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filippaberry84
2013/01/21

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

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Portia Hilton
2013/01/22

Blistering performances.

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michaelhirakida
2013/01/23

So basically, after watching the four hour Tom Petty documentary, I was interested to see what other 3-4 hour music docs there were. The History of The Eagles seemed like a good way to go from here. I mean, they are legends and one of the highest grossing artists ever. So what happens when I first start watching this hopefully exciting documentary?......... LOTS OF DEPRESSING STUFF. I'm not complaining because this stuff happens in real life. But I think the problem is me. I did not know what I was getting into which made me upset. Part One focuses on their height. Glynn Johns misunderstands them, they do huge amounts of property damage, smoke a bunch of weed, Don Felder being a dick, threatening death on each other and a bunch of other bull that I want to forget. Part 2 is the solo careers, the reunion, Don Felder getting fired and stuff. I feel confused. Am I suppose to like the people in the band or just accept that they have great music? On one hand, Glenn comes off as being honest, a leader and showing that without him and Don Henley, we wouldn't have the band. On the other hand, he comes off as very Intimidating and scary. Timothy seems to be the only guy that is very chill and feels like the child in the room when the parents argue. The main point. Does this change my view of the Eagles? Does that make me want to go and buy more of their records? Does it make me want to see them live after I seen this documentary? Here is the thing. I like the music and it is classic so yes I will buy the records. Seeing them live? That is a thing I am still on debate about after watching this film. It is either a yes or no thing for me. Yes it changes my view but the music is still great. The reason I gave it a 5 is that the doc had a very negative effect on me and put me in a bad mood. This is real life and I understand. So maybe I should have rented something else on Itunes. Half of the score is for the music.51/100 C

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steve-flaunty-770-898945
2013/01/24

The reviewers before me have pretty much summed this film up. I would put my money on 80% of the viewing demographic will have grown up with the Eagles and many of them, like myself, would know them first and foremost for their music. All of us have heard snippets of stories and probably read differing opinions as to how they imploded and reassembled and then generally just came and went again at random. Many of us would have been to a concert, possibly more than one and seen them in the flesh, marveling again at their magical ability to blend voices and instruments into some of the best music produced in modern times. This documentary knits it all together. There will be millions of words written online over the coming months and perhaps years critiquing this film for better or for worse.I have adopted the stance that this is a group of musicians that are just as human as all the rest of us, extraordinarily gifted in their chosen fields and were at the intersection of preparation and opportunity just at the right time. The addition of a copious amount of personal home movie footage, some never aired before adds the essential layer to the production and wraps the package up like a tightly constructed wine. I'm sure there are many who will be watching this who will see themselves in the background of some of the footage, even at the third encores and will will be gasping in their living rooms grateful for the fact that the passage of time is the best camouflage for human recognition. Could you just imagine..." OMG Mom, I don't believe you did that ! How am I going to explain this to my friends !! "

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glaterre
2013/01/25

Eagles - History of the Eagles (2013) All songwriters and musicians should see this Eagles documentary. Seem like they tell the truth however it does feel like Don Henley and Glenn Frey decided what goes in the film. They barley talk about Henley feeling that songwriter should get their monetary share if they are not in the Eagles, but does not apply to Eagles members. The whole time Don Henley sounds like William Shatner with his expressions and flowery words. Don Felder is the outcast that Glenn Frey cannot stand. Bernie Leadon just wants to play country music and like Don Felder cannot expand their talents. This is one of the best documentaries out there. (2013) 10-Stars.

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Twins65
2013/01/26

Remember in THE BIG LEBOWSKI, when Jeff Bridges as "The Dude" complained so much to his cabbie about turning off "Peaceful Easy Feeling" because "he hates the F-ing Eagles, Man"! That rant got him evicted from his cab and earned him a long walk home from Malibu to his crappy apartment. Was it worth it? Well, The Dude just might change his tune if he checks out the new documentary HISTORY OF THE EAGLES currently running on Showtime.I recently watched both parts over two days, and it was well worth the time spent. Even though I never really was a big fan, I can most assuredly say that these guys were truly the biggest American band of the 1970's. Pretty much every album from their 1st through Hotel California was a part of the soundtrack of my teenage years. And as Don Henley mentioned in the beginning of Part 2, with the advent of classic rock radio in the early 80's, they've been constantly with us all the way through 2013. The songs were so good that we just never get tired of them.As far as the movie goes, much like the recent Scorcese long film about George Harrison and P. Bogdanovich's nearly 4-hour marathon on Tom Petty, it's all good. I'm convinced cable TV is the best way to show a rock doc., as you really get to tell and see it all with numerous interviews of those who lived it, without having movie theater time constraints and/or box office totals to worry about. And wow, did the Eagles have a whole bunch of video which I'd never seen. Some of it's great, much of it is "disposable", but almost all of it fascinating for fans.I read some of the comments on the IMDb board bashing Henley and Glenn Frey for coming off as "pompous a-holes". And while they did seem a bit overly protective of their cut of the band's fame and fortune, they have the right to. THEY STARTED THE BAND! Watch this film if you've ever yelled along while driving with the woo-hoo-hoos on "Already Gone", as it will flash you back nicely to the fun of the mid-70's.P.S.-And Dude, I know you once did your wacky dance to The First Edition's "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)", but you may want to skip over the part in the film where Kenny Rogers discusses helping Henley's pre-Eagles band Shiloh try to get started in LA. You will not recognize Kenny and may be a bit frightened with the condition his face's condition is in these days!

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