Seeking to provide an unprecedented and intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of its music, the Eagles partnered with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) to produce the film. Directed by Alison Ellwood (Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place), History of the Eagles is a meticulous creation featuring rare archival material, concert footage, and never-before-seen home movies that explore the evolution and enduring popularity of one of the world’s biggest-selling and culturally significant American bands.

History of the Eagles made its television broadcast debut on Showtime last month, earning the network its highest ratings for a music documentary in eight years. Part One premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January to great acclaim.

History of the Eagles Part One dedicates two hours to the chronicling of the band’s creation and rise to fame in the 1970’s through its breakup in 1980. More than 25 new and exclusive interviews were conducted with all current band members – Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit – as well as former members Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Don Felder. Also featured are new and exclusive interviews with Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, Irving Azoff and many other seminal artists and band contemporaries who have been closely involved with the Eagles’ history.

While personal stories from band members, managers, and music industry luminaries frame the narrative, it’s the unexpected moments—recording sessions, backstage interactions, and even a whimsical sequence from the Desperado cover shoot—that convey the extraordinary bond linking the artists, their music, and the times (an era when country-tinged rock and finely-honed harmonies spoke to a nation still reeling from unrest).

Additionally, the documentary features previously unreleased home movies and archival footage. Personal photos, video and memorabilia amassed by the Eagles over the course of their career will also be seen for the very first time.