I didn't learn anything new from this documentary. It also seemed longer than it actually was, which is not a good thing.

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends aren't even mentioned. This is criminal since Eric is supposedly telling his own story. The legendary Derek & the Dominos were all members of that band and that's how they met. Delaney Bramlett produced Clapton's first solo album which begat the Dominos and the All Things Must Pass sessions.

Delaney & Bonnie opened for Blind Faith on their summer 1969 US Tour. Clapton liked what he saw. He was disgusted with the direction of both Cream and Blind Faith. He hopped on the more rootsy Delaney & Bonnie & Friends bandwagon for tours of Europe and the US in 1969-1970. Delaney & Bonnie were the frickin' catalyst to his new direction. Clapton and the film makers didn't even take the time to mention them once. That is an insult.

I don't recall J.J. Cale mentioned in the documentary either. Weird since Clapton copped Cale's whole vibe in the 1970's.

It was a golden opportunity to make a feature length film about one of music's leading guitarists - Eric Clapton. Clapton isn't usually known for being very forthcoming about his personal life so I was a bit taken aback by this documentary. However, the musician gave his blessing and collaborated fully with the filming. The results could have been better. First of all, Eric Clapton the person is presented in a truthful and honest light in my opinion. His struggles with alcohol and narcotics are quite graphically detailed as there is footage of him indulging this and that. We witness one man's journey as both musician and as an individual in many ways. How he learns his craft, finding success in different bands, experiencing a few personal tragedies and coping with the fact that his own mother didn't love him. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 90 minutes and I wouldn't want anything changed about it. The archive footage of Clapton throughout the early years, is something to marvel at. I had never seen any of it before.Discussions that relate to The Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, made for fascinating viewing. However, the last 30 years of Eric Clapton's life and career were far too rushed and I felt very disappointed by this. It was as though someone thought: Ok I'm getting restless feet now, let's get the rest of our film over with. Such a pity.

This starts out well, as Zanuck uses childhood footage with concert clips of Clapton. Some of the interviews are good, but I got tired of the endless Patti Boyd material. Clapton pined for George Harrison's wife and wrote "Layla" for her. Years later they hooked up, and it was the classic be careful what you wish for line. He continued to drink and use heroin even after he finally got his girl. I wish more music was included and Boyd should have ended up a footnote in music history. She was nothing but a glorified groupie. Zanuck's editing leaves a lot to be desired. At the end, we get to see Eric, as an older man with his young children. Watch Creams farewell concert instead.